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 16 years at South Carolina, Dawn Staley has officially become one of the greatest basketball coaches in the entire history of college basketball.
Dawn Staley was the only Black HC in all of college basketball with more than 1 national title and she now has 3. South Carolina is the 5th program with 3 NCAA titles & the 10th undefeated D1 champ.
— First and Pen (@firstandpen) April 7, 2024
Geno Auriemma, 11
Pat Summitt, 8
Kim Mulkey, 4
Tara VanDerveer, 3
Dawn Staley, 3 pic.twitter.com/DFkTn1FnaO
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).
With her 3rd NCAA title, Dawn Staley continues to climb the ladder of college basketball coaching greats:
— First and Pen (@firstandpen) April 7, 2024
Geno Auriemma, 11
John Wooden, 10
Pat Summitt, 8
Mike Krzyzewski, 5
Adolph Rupp, 4
Kim Mulkey, 4
Jim Calhoun, 3
Bob Knight, 3
Tara VanDerveer, 3
Roy Williams, 3
Staley, 3 pic.twitter.com/XajMWxs94x
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.
