The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved a landmark contract extension for women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley, ensuring her leadership through the 2029-30 season. The deal solidifies Staley’s place in history, making her the highest-paid coach in the sport’s history, with a total package worth $25.25 million.
“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” said Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus. I am excited that she will represent our University for years to come.” The contract, effective immediately, begins with an annual salary of $4 million, a $500,000 signing bonus, and a $250,000 annual escalator, marking a historic investment in women’s basketball and reaffirming Staley’s transformative role within the sport.
Since taking the helm in 2008, Staley has built the Gamecocks into a powerhouse, steering the program to unparalleled success. Under her leadership, South Carolina has claimed three NCAA national championships, reached six of the last nine Final Fours, and achieved two separate 40-game win streaks—an accolade shared by only one other program. South Carolina’s dominance in the SEC under Staley has been equally remarkable. The Gamecocks have captured eight regular-season titles since 2013-14, including an astonishing 165-15 record in league play during that span. The team’s current 52-game SEC win streak is the longest in conference history and seventh longest in NCAA history. Staley’s personal accolades include becoming the second-fastest coach to reach 200 SEC wins and earning an .787 winning percentage in league games, second only to the legendary Pat Summitt.
Beyond championships, Staley has turned South Carolina into a perennial presence at the top of the Associated Press rankings. The Gamecocks’ 107 consecutive weeks in the AP Top 10 is the longest active streak in the nation, while their 86 No. 1 rankings—all under Staley—are the third-most in the poll’s history.
Staley’s commitment to excellence extends beyond wins and titles. During her tenure, she has cultivated an environment that has produced 27 All-America honors for 11 Gamecocks, two National Players of the Year in A’ja Wilson (2018) and Aliyah Boston (2022), and a host of other individual accolades. Under her guidance, 14 players have been drafted into the WNBA in the last nine seasons, including two No. 1 overall picks—Wilson and Boston. Several of these players have gone on to achieve Rookie of the Year honors and All-Rookie Team selections in the WNBA.
Her accolades as a coach include five National Coach of the Year awards, with a historic three-year streak from 2022 to 2024. She has also been named SEC Coach of the Year seven times, just one short of Summitt’s record. Staley’s influence transcends the hardwood, making South Carolina women’s basketball a central part of the Columbia community. The Gamecocks have led the NCAA in attendance for 10 consecutive seasons and set a program record this year by selling out all 13,152 season tickets.
On the global stage, Staley’s role as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team further underscores her impact. Since her appointment in 2017, she has guided Team USA to an Olympic gold medal and 11 international titles, earning her induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. With her team currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and boasting a 17-1 record, Staley shows no signs of slowing down. “What we’ve accomplished on the court is a testament to bringing together the right people and having the right commitment,” Staley said. “I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and look forward to continuing our journey.”
The Gamecocks will face No. 13 Oklahoma on January 19 at Colonial Life Arena, a testament to their grueling schedule and national stature. For Staley and her Gamecocks, the future remains as bright as their storied past.
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