Dawn Staley’s Perspective on Female Coaches in the NBA
Dawn Staley, the renowned head coach of the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team, has expressed skepticism regarding the NBA’s readiness to appoint a female head coach. Despite having participated in an interview for the New York Knicks’ head coaching position—previously held by Tom Thibodeau—Staley feels that the league is currently unprepared for such a change. Ultimately, the Knicks decided to go with Mike Brown for the role, and though it’s uncertain how far Staley advanced in the hiring process, she wasn’t among the final candidates.
“No, I don’t believe it will happen in my lifetime, and I hope I’m wrong,”
—Dawn Staley, as reported by ESPN’s Myron Medcalf.
Staley’s Legacy at South Carolina
Staley has built a formidable legacy since arriving at South Carolina in 2008, transforming the program into a powerhouse in women’s basketball. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have secured nine Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles, made seven Final Four appearances, and clinched three NCAA championships, including a victory in 2024. As of this fall, the Gamecocks hold the No. 2 ranking in the Associated Press preseason poll, despite facing challenges such as the absence of star player Chloe Kitts due to a torn ACL.
Staley, who signed a lucrative contract extension worth approximately $25.5 million through the 2029-30 season, is the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
The Challenges for Women Coaches
Though Staley is not alone in pursuing an NBA coaching job—former Spurs assistant Becky Hammon has also interviewed multiple times, including a finalist position for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021—none have yet broken through this barrier. Staley acknowledged that the scrutiny faced by a female coach would likely be immense, saying,
“If the Knicks have a five-game losing streak, it’s not going to be about the losing streak; it’s going to be about being a female coach.”
This underscores the additional challenges organizations must confront when considering female candidates.
Commitment to Future Female Coaches
Earlier this year, Staley indicated she would have embraced the opportunity at the Knicks, yet her commitment to her current role at South Carolina remains strong. She is also keen on supporting aspiring female coaches in the future, offering to share her knowledge and insights.
“If there is somebody that is interested in knowing and interested in being the first female NBA coach, I’ve got all the information. Come see me, because I’ll get you prepared for the interview,”
Staley stands ready to assist teams looking to hire women, while also emphasizing the comprehensive challenges that come with such a pivotal decision in the league’s history.
