University of South Carolina Staley Ink Historic Contract Extension Through 2029-30 Season, Making Her Highest Paid Women’s Basketball Coach
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees has officially approved a contract extension for women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley, securing her tenure through the 2029-30 season. This landmark agreement establishes Staley as the highest-paid coach in the history of college women’s basketball.
“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” stated Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on both a national scale and within our campus community. I am thrilled that she will continue to represent our University for many years to come.” The newly approved contract, effective immediately, commences with an annual salary of $4 million. Additionally, it includes a $500,000 signing bonus and an annual $250,000 escalator, cumulatively valuing the contract at approximately $25.25 million.
Staley expressed her gratitude and commitment, saying, “I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and its investment in women’s basketball. Our accomplishments on the court are a testament to the power of assembling the right team and having unwavering support from the University, the Athletics Department, and the community. I appreciate every individual who has contributed to our journey, and I look forward to demonstrating how investing in women’s basketball benefits everyone.”
Since her appointment in May 2008, Staley has transformed South Carolina’s women’s basketball program into a formidable national power. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have secured at least three NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championships and have achieved multiple 40-game winning streaks. They have reached six of the last nine NCAA Final Fours, including each of the last four, and boast a remarkable 107 consecutive weeks in the AP Poll’s top 10, the longest active streak and the 11th longest in the poll’s history. The Gamecocks’ 86 AP No. 1 rankings—all achieved during Staley’s tenure—rank third in the history of the poll.
In the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Staley’s teams have been dominant, winning eight regular-season titles since the 2013-14 season and never finishing lower than second. The Gamecocks have amassed a 165-15 record in league play since then, including an astounding 81-3 mark since 2019-20. Their current 52-game SEC regular-season win streak is the longest in league history and ranks seventh all-time in NCAA history. Earlier this season, Staley became the second-fastest coach to achieve 200 SEC regular-season victories, with a .787 winning percentage (203-55) in the SEC, second only to the legendary Pat Summitt. The Gamecocks have also excelled in the SEC Tournament under Staley, capturing eight titles since their first in 2015 and becoming the first program to win four consecutive tournaments from 2015-2018.
Staley’s influence extends beyond team achievements, with her players earning numerous individual accolades. Under her guidance, 11 Gamecocks have garnered 27 All-America honors. A’ja Wilson (2018) and Aliyah Boston (2022) were named National Players of the Year, with Boston also being recognized as the program’s first National Defensive Player of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-America Teammate of the Year, and Honda Cup Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Three Gamecocks have been named SEC Player of the Year seven times collectively, and 22 players have received All-SEC honors, including 16 first-team selections. Staley’s success in preparing her players for professional careers is evident, with 14 Gamecocks selected in the WNBA Draft over the past nine seasons, including two No. 1 overall picks, Wilson (2018) and Boston (2022). Three of these draftees earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, and three others made the WNBA All-Rookie Teams.
Her accolades as a coach are numerous, including five National Coach of the Year honors. She made history as the first former Naismith Player of the Year to win the Naismith Coach of the Year award in 2020 and became the first coach—male or female—to claim the award in three consecutive seasons (2022-24). Staley has also been named SEC Coach of the Year seven times, just one short of Summitt’s record.
Beyond her coaching accolades, Staley has fostered a vibrant community around South Carolina women’s basketball. Gamecock fans have led the NCAA in average attendance for the past 10 seasons, with this season’s 13,152 sold-out season tickets marking a program first. This accomplishment positions the Gamecocks for an unprecedented 11th consecutive season atop the national attendance rankings.
Internationally, Staley’s contributions to basketball are profound. As the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team since May 2017, she led the team to a record-tying seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She has been part of six of these gold-medal teams, either as a player, assistant coach, or head coach. Staley has twice been named USA Basketball National Coach of the Year and has contributed to 11 international gold medals. Her outstanding contributions to the sport will be recognized with her induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2025.
Currently, Staley’s Gamecocks are ranked No. 2/2 in the nation, boasting a 17-1 overall record and a 5-0 mark in SEC play, including an NCAA-best six wins against ranked opponents. They will next face No. 13/13 Oklahoma at Colonial Life Arena on January 19, with the game set to tip off at 3 p.m. on ESPN.
