History of Dawn Staley in Timeline

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. Her career includes three Olympic gold medals as a player for the United States and another as head coach in 2021. She currently coaches the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, leading them to national prominence. Staley is the only person to win the Naismith Award as both a player and a coach, solidifying her legacy in basketball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

May 4, 1970: Dawn Staley's Birth

On May 4, 1970, Dawn Michelle Staley was born. She is an American basketball coach and former player, currently the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team.

Others born on this day/year

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. Staley averaged 10.8 points per game and recorded 14 steals during the tournament, finishing with the team in seventh place.

July 1991: World University Games

In July 1991, Dawn Staley represented the United States at the World University Games in Sheffield, England. Team USA won the gold medal, and Staley averaged 4.9 points per game in the tournament.

1992: Jones Cup Gold Medal

In 1992, Dawn Staley competed with USA Basketball as a member of the Jones Cup Team in Taipei, winning the Gold medal.

1994: World Championships and Athlete of the Year

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

1995: Pan American Games Cancellation

In 1995, Dawn Staley was selected for the USA Women's Pan American Games team; however, the event was cancelled due to a lack of participating teams.

1996: Atlanta Summer Olympics Gold Medal

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

1996: Lisa Leslie Leads in 1996 Olympics

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

August 1998: FIBA World Championships Gold Medal

In August 1998, Dawn Staley participated in the FIBA World Championships in Berlin, Germany, with the United States national team. Staley helped the team win the gold medal, averaging 7.0 points per game and making a record 52 assists. In the final game against Russia, Staley secured the victory by making crucial free throws in the closing seconds.

1998: Lisa Leslie Leads in 1998 World Championship

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

1999: WNBA Draft Selection

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

2000: Head Coach at Temple University

In 2000, Dawn Staley accepted the position of head coach at Temple University while still playing in the WNBA.

2000: Lisa Leslie Leads in 2000 Olympics

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

2001: WNBA Championship Game

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

2002: Atlantic 10 Tournament

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

2002: Lisa Leslie Leads in 2002 World Championship

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

2004: Third Olympic Gold Medal

In 2004, Dawn Staley won a third gold medal with Team USA at the Athens Olympic Games. She was later named the 2004 USA Basketball Female Athlete Of The Year. At the opening ceremony, she carried the flag of the United States.

2004: Lisa Leslie Leads in 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: Assistant Coach for USA National Team

In 2006, Dawn Staley served as an assistant coach for the transitioning USA national team. Despite challenges with player availability and injuries to key players like Sheryl Swoopes, the team secured a bronze medal.

2007: Coaching Team USA to Gold at Pan Am Games

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

May 7, 2008: South Carolina Coaching Position

On May 7, 2008, it was confirmed that Dawn Staley would leave Temple University to take the head coaching position at the University of South Carolina.

2008: Assistant Coach at Beijing Olympics

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

2014: Head Coach of U17 Team

In 2014, Dawn Staley served as head coach to the U17 Team and won a gold medal at the U18 Americas Championship.

2015: Head Coach of U19 Team

In 2015, Dawn Staley served as head coach to the U19 Team, winning a gold medal at the U19 FIBA World Championship and was awarded the USA Basketball National Coach of the Year award.

2016: Assistant Coach at Rio Olympics

In 2016, Dawn Staley was an assistant coach under Geno Auriemma for the Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, contributing to the team winning their sixth straight gold medal in women's basketball.

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

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

2018: Gold Medal in 2018 World Cup

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

2019: Gold Medal in 2019 FIBA AmeriCup

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

2020: First Gold Medal as Head Coach

At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Dawn Staley won her first gold medal as the Head coach for Team USA.

October 15, 2021: Contract Extension with South Carolina

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

2021: Gold Medal in 2021 FIBA AmeriCup

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

January 2022: Hosts "Netlife" Podcast

Beginning in January 2022, Dawn Staley hosted a podcast called "Netlife", which was produced by Just Women's Sports.

2022: Staley Cancels Games Against BYU

In 2022, Dawn Staley canceled her team's matchups against Brigham Young University (BYU) for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons following an alleged racist incident by a BYU fan against a member of the Duke women's volleyball team.

2022: Gamecocks Win National Championship

In 2022, Dawn Staley's Gamecocks, ranked #1 in both polls throughout the season, defeated 14 ranked teams, including Stanford, UConn, NC State, Oregon, Maryland, Duke, LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia. They won the NCAA tournament by defeating Howard, Miami, North Carolina, Creighton, Louisville, and UConn again, securing a second national championship. Staley became the first coach to defeat Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer, and Kim Mulkey in the same season, earning her another Naismith Award, and she coached the National Player of the Year, Aliyah Boston.

2022: Fan of the Philadelphia Eagles

Throughout the 2022 NFL season, Dawn Staley showed her support for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles by often wearing their jerseys while coaching the Gamecocks.

2023: Continued Cancellation of BYU Matchups

In 2023, Dawn Staley upheld her decision to keep the team's matchups against Brigham Young University (BYU) canceled, despite an investigation failing to corroborate claims of a racist incident against a member of the Duke women's volleyball team.

February 22, 2024: Staley Wins Her 600th Game

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

2024: Thanks God and Jesus After Games

In 2024, Dawn Staley is a Christian who routinely thanks God after games. On Easter Sunday 2024, Staley said postgame "He is risen" referring to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After her team won the 2024 National title, Staley thanked Jesus.

2024: Perfect Season and Third National Title

In 2024, Dawn Staley led her team to a perfect 38-0 season, securing their third national title. Staley also received her fourth Naismith Coach of the Year Award.