Dawn Staley

Overview

Dawn Staley is the head coach of the University of South Carolina women's basketball team and one of the most decorated figures in the sport's history. Before coaching, she was a star point guard at the University of Virginia and a three-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA. She began her coaching career at Temple University before taking over at South Carolina in 2008, where she has since built one of the most successful teams in college basketball, winning national championships in 2017, 2022, and 2024. At the Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed to 2021, she added another gold medal to her collection, this time as the head coach of the U.S. Women's Olympic basketball team.

Why She Matters

Dawn Staley shows young people what it looks like to succeed at the highest level in two completely different roles within the same sport, first as a champion player and then as a champion coach. Her success at the University of South Carolina has helped raise the profile of women's college basketball nationwide, drawing sellout crowds and inspiring a new generation of fans and players. She is known for building a program culture rooted in discipline, loyalty, and belief in her players, often recruiting athletes who have been overlooked elsewhere and helping them become stars. For young people who love a sport and wonder what comes after being a player, Staley's career shows that a life in sports can continue long after the playing days end.