Career Timeline of Dawn Staley: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Dawn Staley, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Dawn Staley is an accomplished American basketball coach and former player. As a point guard, she starred at the University of Virginia and in the WNBA. Staley won three Olympic gold medals as a player and later coached the U.S. women's national team to Olympic gold in 2021. Currently, she is the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team. Staley is also notable for being the only person to win the Naismith Award as both a player and a coach, highlighting her exceptional contributions to the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1988: College Career at Virginia Begins

In 1988, Dawn Staley began her college basketball career with the Virginia Cavaliers.

July 1989: Junior World Championship

In July 1989, Dawn Staley participated in the second Junior World Championship in Bilbao, Spain, as part of the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team, averaging 10.8 points per game.

July 1991: World University Games

In July 1991, Dawn Staley represented the United States at the World University Games held in Sheffield, England, where the team won the gold medal.

1992: College Career Ends

In 1992, Dawn Staley concluded her college basketball career at Virginia, setting NCAA records for steals and school records for points.

1992: Jones Cup Gold Medal

In 1992, Dawn Staley won a gold medal with the USA Basketball team at the Jones Cup in Taipei.

1994: World Championships

In 1994, Dawn Staley competed in the World Championships with Team USA and was named the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year.

1994: Professional Basketball in Europe and Brazil

In 1994, after graduating, Dawn Staley played professional basketball in France in Tarbes, Italy, Brazil and Spain.

1995: Professional Basketball in Europe and Brazil

In 1995, Dawn Staley continued playing professional basketball in Europe and Brazil.

1995: USA Women's Pan American Games Cancellation

In 1995, Dawn Staley was selected for the USA Women's Pan American Games, but the event was cancelled due to lack of participation.

1996: Joins Richmond Rage

In 1996, Dawn Staley joined the Richmond Rage of the American Basketball League (ABL).

1996: Atlanta Summer Olympics Gold Medal

In 1996, Dawn Staley led the USA team to an undefeated record of 8-0 and a gold medal at the Atlanta Summer Olympics.

1996: Olympic Gold Medal Win

In 1996, Dawn Staley won her first Olympic gold medal as a player for the United States women's national basketball team.

1996: Lisa Leslie's Leadership in the 1996 Olympics

In 1996, Lisa Leslie led the USA team in scoring at the Olympics.

1997: Led Richmond Rage to ABL Finals

In 1997, Dawn Staley led the Richmond Rage to the ABL finals.

August 1998: FIBA World Championships Gold Medal

In August 1998, Dawn Staley won a gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA World Championships in Berlin, Germany, contributing a record 52 assists during the tournament.

1998: Lisa Leslie's Leadership in the 1998 World Championships

In 1998, Lisa Leslie led the USA team in scoring at the World Championships.

1999: Carolyn Peck Coached Purdue

In 1999, Carolyn Peck coached Purdue to the national championship.

1999: WNBA Draft Selection

In 1999, Dawn Staley was selected ninth overall by the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA draft.

1999: Selected by Charlotte Sting in WNBA Draft

In 1999, Dawn Staley was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA draft.

2000: Named Head Coach at Temple University

In 2000, Dawn Staley accepted the position of head coach at Temple University, initially resisting offers but ultimately taking on the challenge.

2000: Head Coach of Temple Owls

In 2000, Dawn Staley began her tenure as the head coach of the Temple Owls women's basketball team.

2000: Sydney Olympics Gold Medal

In 2000, Dawn Staley was a member of the Olympic team that defended their gold medal in Sydney.

2000: Lisa Leslie's Leadership in the 2000 Olympics

In 2000, Lisa Leslie led the USA team in scoring at the Olympics.

2001: Led Sting to WNBA Championship Game

In 2001, Dawn Staley led the Charlotte Sting to the championship game of the WNBA playoffs.

2001: WNBA All-Star Selection

In 2001, Dawn Staley received the first of six consecutive WNBA All-Star selections as a member of the Charlotte Sting.

2001: Temple Advances to WNIT

In the 2000-01 season, Temple advanced to the WNIT during Dawn Staley's first season as head coach.

2002: World Championships Gold Medal

In 2002, Dawn Staley won a gold medal with the national team at the World Championships in China, recording a team-high 24 assists.

2002: Temple Wins Atlantic 10 Tournament

In 2002, Dawn Staley's Temple Owls won the Atlantic 10 tournament, qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

2002: Lisa Leslie's Leadership in the 2002 World Championships

In 2002, Lisa Leslie led the USA team in scoring at the World Championships.

2004: Owls went 28-4

During the 2004-05 season, Staley's Owls went 28-4, including a perfect 19-0 against Atlantic 10 opponents, but lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Rutgers University.

2004: Third Olympic Gold Medal and USA Basketball Athlete of the Year

In 2004, Dawn Staley won her third Olympic gold medal with Team USA in Athens and was subsequently named the 2004 USA Basketball Female Athlete Of The Year. She also carried the flag of the United States during the parade of nations at the opening ceremony.

2004: Third Olympic Gold Medal

In 2004, Dawn Staley won her third gold medal at the Olympic Games.

2004: Temple Wins Atlantic 10 Tournament

In 2004, Dawn Staley's Temple Owls won the Atlantic 10 tournament to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

2004: Lisa Leslie's Leadership in the 2004 Olympics

In 2004, Lisa Leslie led the USA team in scoring at the Olympics.

August 1, 2005: Trade to the Houston Comets

On August 1, 2005, Dawn Staley was traded to the Houston Comets.

2006: Final WNBA Season

2006 marked Dawn Staley's final season in the WNBA, during which she received her sixth consecutive WNBA All-Star selection.

2006: Assistant Coach for USA National Team

In 2006, Dawn Staley served as an assistant coach for the USA national team during a period of transition. Key players were absent or injured, with newcomers stepping up. Despite challenges, the team secured a bronze medal at the World Championships.

2007: Coaching Team USA to Gold at the Pan Am Games

In 2007, Dawn Staley coached Team USA to a gold medal at the Pan Am Games.

May 7, 2008: Leaves Temple for South Carolina

On May 7, 2008, Dawn Staley left Temple University to accept the head coaching position at the University of South Carolina.

2008: South Carolina Head Coach

In 2008, Dawn Staley became the head coach at South Carolina, starting to rebuild the program.

2008: Head Coach at South Carolina

In 2008, Dawn Staley became the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team.

2008: End of Temple Owls Coaching

In 2008, Dawn Staley concluded her coaching tenure with the Temple Owls women's basketball team.

2008: Assistant Coach for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics

In 2008, Dawn Staley served as an assistant coach under Anne Donovan for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics, where the team won their fourth consecutive gold medal in women's basketball.

2014: First Number 1 Ranking and Final Four Appearance

In 2014, Dawn Staley led the South Carolina program to its first number 1 ranking and Final Four appearance.

2014: Head Coach of U17 Team

In 2014, Dawn Staley served as head coach to the U17 Team, winning gold medals at the U18 Americas Championship.

2015: Head Coach of U19 Team and National Coach of the Year

In 2015, Dawn Staley served as head coach to the U19 Team, winning gold medals at the U19 FIBA World Championship. She was also awarded the national coach of the year award by the USA basketball organization as a result of the U19 gold medal, sharing the award with Sean Miller.

2016: Assistant Coach for Team USA at the Rio Olympics

In 2016, Dawn Staley served as an assistant coach under Geno Auriemma for Team USA at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where the team secured their sixth consecutive gold medal in women's basketball.

2016: Gamecocks Repeated as SEC Champions

In 2016, the Gamecocks repeated as SEC regular-season and tournament champions for the third year in a row, and advanced to the second Final Four in school history.

March 10, 2017: Named Head Coach of USA National Women's Team

On March 10, 2017, Dawn Staley was officially named the head coach of the USA national women's team.

2017: First NCAA National Championship

In 2017, Dawn Staley led South Carolina to its first NCAA women's basketball national championship.

2017: Won First National Title

In 2017, South Carolina, coached by Dawn Staley, defeated Mississippi State in the national championship game to win their first national title.

2018: Gold Medal at the World Cup in Spain

In 2018, Dawn Staley coached Team USA to a gold medal in the World Cup held in Spain.

2019: Gold Medal at the FIBA AmeriCup

In 2019, Dawn Staley coached Team USA to a gold medal in the FIBA AmeriCup.

2020: Gold Medal as Head Coach at the Tokyo Olympics

At the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021), Dawn Staley achieved her first gold medal as the Head coach for Team USA, winning all six games and extending her record to 45-0.

2020: Swept National Coach of the Year Awards

In 2020, Dawn Staley led the Gamecocks to a 32-1 season and swept the national coach of the year awards, becoming the first person to win the Naismith award as both a player and coach.

October 15, 2021: Signed Contract Extension with South Carolina

On October 15, 2021, Dawn Staley signed a seven-year, $22.4 million contract extension with South Carolina, becoming the highest-paid Black college basketball coach in the country.

2021: Gold Medal at the FIBA AmeriCup

In 2021, Dawn Staley coached Team USA to a gold medal in the FIBA AmeriCup.

2021: Olympic Gold Medal as Head Coach

In 2021, Dawn Staley coached the United States women's national basketball team to an Olympic gold medal.

January 2022: Launch of "Netlife" Podcast

In January 2022, Dawn Staley began hosting a podcast called "Netlife," produced by Just Women's Sports.

2022: Gamecocks Dominate and Win National Championship

In 2022, Dawn Staley's Gamecocks were ranked #1 in both polls for the entire season. They defeated 14 ranked teams, including Stanford, UConn, NC State, Oregon, Maryland, Duke, LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia. In the NCAA tournament, the Gamecocks triumphed over Howard, Miami, North Carolina, Creighton, Louisville, and UConn to secure their second national championship. Staley became the first coach to defeat Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer, and Kim Mulkey in the same season, and she was named Naismith Award winner while coaching the National Player of the Year, Aliyah Boston.

February 22, 2024: Staley Achieves 600th Career Win

On February 22, 2024, Dawn Staley reached her 600th career win in 786 games, with 534 of those wins achieved while coaching at South Carolina.

2024: Perfect Season

In 2024, Dawn Staley coached South Carolina to a perfect season and an NCAA women's basketball national championship.

2024: Perfect Season and National Title

In 2024, Dawn Staley guided her team to an undefeated 38-0 season, securing their third national title. Additionally, Staley was honored with her fourth Naismith Coach of the Year Award.