Dawn Staley was already of the one best coaches in all of college basketball not only this season but over the last few years as well.
Not just among Black coaches, for she’s the first and only Black head coach in college basketball history to win more than one title.
Not just among women’s basketball coaches, for she’s won more titles (3) than any other coach over the last eight years (Kim Mulkey has two during this period).
After defeating Caitlin Clark and Iowa on Sunday and securing her third national championship in her sixteen years at South Carolina, Dawn Staley has officially become one of the greatest basketball coaches in the entire history of college basketball.
Last night, Staley’s Gamecocks team became the fifth program to win three NCAA titles and the tenth undefeated D1 champion.
She now ranks behind Geno Auriemma (10), Pat Summit (8), Kim Mulkey (4) and Tara VanDeveer (3) in terms of total NCAA women’s basketball championships.
Her name should now be mentioned with the likes of John Wooden (10), Mike Krzyzewski (5), Adolph Rupp (4), Jim Calhoun (3), Bob Knight (3) and Roy Williams (3).
And don’t forget that had it not been for the Pandemic, Staley’s 32-1 SEC Conference Tournament championship team might have won it all that season, giving Staley four total titles.
Staley has accomplished this amazing feat by recruiting top talent, supporting and teaching them as a coach, mentor, protector, nurturer and mother figure, and, most significantly, never compromising who she is for anyone.
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing and Staley doesn’t hesitate to check her players.
Earlier this season, she played freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley for only three minutes in the Gamecocks’ game against UNC in November to teach her a lesson about commitment and effort. Afterward, Fulwiley’s minutes never dipped below double digits for the remainder of the season.
Staley has protected players when they’re attacked and ensures that everyone knows where she stands on issues regardless of the situation or the response.
In today’s divided America, that’s almost impossible to encourage or maintain. Especially in sports.
But the Philly native remains fearless in her beliefs.
After George Floyd’s murder, Staley tweeted out her frustrations.
“When will this deep rooted racism stop?!! More senselessness all because the color of his skin. The time is long overdue to DO BEETER!”
Staley also unabashedly confronted the equity-blinded NCAA in 2021 for the organization’s long-standing mistreatment of women’s sports and its athletes.
“We cannot as leaders of young women allow Mark Emmert and his team to use us and our student-athletes as their convenience.” stated the infuriated coach in a Twitter post.
Two years ago, she took a stand against racism by canceling the team’s home and home series against BYU after a Duke volleyball player was targeted with racist taunts in a game against the Cougars in Utah.
Some questioned whether the taunts actually occurred, but Staley refused to back down.
And with her resume, influence and success, her decision was backed by university AD Ray Tanner.
Dawn Staley is reminiscent of those who came before her like John Thompson, John Chaney and C. Vivian Stringer. Highly successful, championship-winning Black coaches who won on the court and stood up to injustice off it.
Staley has accomplished this by building one of the best programs in the sport.
And she’s done it all while leaving an undeniable imprint on the lives of the women she’s coached.
“She’s just like a family for me, a family away from home,” said an emotional Kamilla Cardoso, who was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. “I’m just so thankful to have her.”
Last week, Staley won her third Naismith Coach of the Year Award (2020, 2022, 2024) after leading the Gamecocks to a perfect 36-0 record prior to the Final Four. Now she can add another NCAA championship to her growing resume.
After taking some time to celebrate and unwind, she’ll put her coaching hat back on, don her newest Gucci outfit and start gearing up for another season with the goal of winning her fourth title.
But her true mission is to pave the path for others to follow, especially the young women who suit up for South Carolina.
No wonder the kid from North Philly who calls herself a “dream merchant” is one of the greatest to ever do it.
