Since taking the reins of the South Carolina women’s basketball program in the 2008-09 season, head coach Dawn Staley has built a powerhouse. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have become one of the top programs in the country, amassing a remarkable 475-110 record—a winning percentage of 81.2%. More importantly, she’s guided the team to three national titles.
This past season, South Carolina reached the national championship game once again but fell short against Paige Bueckers, Geno Auriemma, and the UConn Huskies.
In the 2025 WNBA Draft, three Gamecocks—Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, and Sania Feagin—took the leap to the professional level, adding to Staley’s growing legacy of developing elite talent. Following the draft, the program celebrated Staley’s impact with a social media post highlighting her success in preparing players for the WNBA.
Since 2015, South Carolina has produced 15 WNBA draft picks under Staley. That includes two No. 1 overall selections, four first-rounders since 2021, 10 picks since 2021, and two top-five selections in the last five drafts.
Before joining South Carolina, Staley coached at Temple from 2000 to 2008, where she compiled a 172-80 record and made six NCAA Tournament appearances. Widely regarded as one of the top coaches in the sport, Staley has not only built a dominant program but has also been instrumental in launching numerous players into professional careers.
