Dawn Staley

Coach of the Year

South Carolina Coach Wins Her Third USBWA Coach of the Year Award

Dawn Staley’s impact on the game of basketball, as both a player and a coach, cannot be overlooked. Staley has earned several awards and honors during her career, from being recognized by USA Today as the national high school player of the year to winning both the ACC Player of the Year and Naismith National Player of the Year (1991, 1992). As a Team USA women’s basketball member, Staley won three Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, 2004). Now, as a coach at South Carolina, she has captured her third USBWA Coach of the Year Award.

This year, Staley led the Gamecocks to a 36-1 season, clinching the SEC regular and tournament for the seventh time. She celebrated her 400th win against South Florida to advance to the Sweet 16. As the coach of the top-seeded team in women’s basketball, Staley has made the Gamecocks a mainstay in the battle for SEC and national championships. Since she began her coaching career at South Carolina, Staley has led the Gamecocks to National Championships, NCAA Final Fours, No. 1 rankings, National Players of the Year, WNBA No. 1 Draft pick and several more.

Her 14 seasons leading the Gamecocks have brought numerous accomplishments: two National Championships, five NCAA Final Fours, and ranking No. 1 in the AP Poll for 44 weeks, including two final No. 1 rankings (2019-20, 2021-22). Her team also posted a 42-game winning streak.