History of Dawn Staley in Timeline

Dawn Staley is a highly accomplished American basketball coach and former player. As a point guard, she starred at the University of Virginia and in the WNBA. Staley achieved remarkable success with the United States women's national basketball team, securing three Olympic gold medals as a player and later coaching the team to another gold in 2021. Currently the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, she is celebrated as one of the greatest coaches in women's basketball history and is the only individual to win the Naismith Award as both a player and a coach.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1967: Family Moved to Housing Project

In 1967, Dawn Staley's parents moved into a three-bedroom row house in the Raymond Rosen Homes housing project in North Philadelphia.

May 4, 1970: Dawn Staley's Birth

On May 4, 1970, Dawn Michelle Staley was born. She is now known as an American basketball coach and former player.

Others born on this day/year

1983: USA Won Gold in World University Games

In 1983, the American team had won gold in the World University Games.

1985: USA Won Silver in World University Games

In 1985, the American team finished with the silver in the World University Games

1987: USA Finished Fifth in World University Games

In 1987, the American team finished fifth place in the World University Games

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.

1989: USA Did not Field a Team in World University Games

In 1989, the American team did not field a team in the World University Games.

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 a gold medal.

1991: ACC Female Athlete of the Year and National Player of the Year

In 1991, Dawn Staley was named the ACC female athlete of the year and the national player of the year.

1992: Jones Cup Gold Medal

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

1992: End of College Career at Virginia

In 1992, Dawn Staley concluded her college basketball career with Virginia, having set the NCAA record for steals, the school record for points, and the ACC record for assists.

1992: Named National Player of the Year

In 1992, Dawn Staley was named the national player of the year for the second year in a row.

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.

1994: Professional Basketball in Europe

In 1994, Dawn Staley started playing professional basketball in Europe, starting in France.

1995: Continued Professional Basketball Career

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

1995: Pan American Games Cancellation

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

1996: Joined 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 Team USA to an undefeated record of 60–0 and won the gold medal at the Atlanta Summer Olympics.

1996: Olympic Gold Medal

In 1996, Dawn Staley won a gold medal at the Olympic Games as a member of the United States women's national basketball team.

1996: Lisa Leslie led the team in scoring in the Olympics

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

1997: Led Rage to ABL Finals

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

August 1998: FIBA World Championships Gold Medal

In July and August 1998, Dawn Staley traveled to Berlin, Germany for the FIBA World Championships as part of the United States national team, where they won the gold medal against Russia, with Staley sealing the victory by hitting free throws in the final seconds. Staley averaged 7.0 points per game and made a record 52 assists.

1998: Lisa Leslie led the team in scoring in the World Championships

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

1999: Carolyn Peck's National Championship

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

1999: WNBA Draft

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

1999: Drafted by Charlotte Sting

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

2000: Temple University Coaching Position

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

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, simultaneously playing in the WNBA.

2000: Olympic Gold Medal

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

2000: Lisa Leslie led the team in scoring in the Olympics

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

2001: Led Sting to 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 her first of six consecutive WNBA All-Star selections as a member of the Charlotte Sting.

2001: Temple advanced to WNIT

In 2001, Dawn Staley's first season as coach for Temple, Temple advanced to the WNIT.

2002: World Championships Gold Medal

In 2002, Dawn Staley was named to the national team, which competed in the World Championships in China, winning all nine games, including a close title game against Russia. Staley scored 4.9 points per game and recorded a team-high 24 assists.

2002: Atlantic 10 Tournament Win

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

2002: Lisa Leslie led the team in scoring in the World Championships

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

2004: Owls Season and NCAA Tournament

During the 2004-05 season, Dawn 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. Staley also reached the 100-win plateau in the A-10 semifinals vs Xavier University, becoming the fastest coach in women's basketball to achieve that feat.

2004: Olympic Gold Medal and Flag Bearer

In 2004, Dawn Staley won a third gold medal with Team USA at the Athens Olympics and was named the 2004 USA Basketball Female Athlete Of The Year, also serving as the flag bearer for the United States during the opening ceremony.

2004: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2004, Dawn Staley won another gold medal at the Olympic Games as a player for the United States women's national basketball team.

2004: Atlantic 10 Tournament Win

In 2004, Dawn Staley's Temple team won the Atlantic 10 tournament for another year, qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

2004: Lisa Leslie led the team in scoring in the Olympics

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

August 1, 2005: Traded to 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 a USA national team in transition, with key players like Lisa Leslie no longer on the team and Sheryl Swoopes hampered by injuries. The team secured a bronze medal at the World Championships.

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: Leaves Temple for South Carolina

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

2008: Assistant Coach at Beijing Olympics

During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Dawn Staley served as an assistant coach under Anne Donovan and helped Team USA win their fourth straight gold medal in women's basketball.

2008: Head Coach at South Carolina

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

2008: End of Coaching Tenure at Temple Owls

In 2008, Dawn Staley concluded her tenure as the head coach of the Temple Owls women's basketball team.

2011: Top 15 WNBA Players

In 2011, Dawn Staley was voted by fans as one of the top 15 players in the 15-year history of the WNBA.

2012: Inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2012, Dawn Staley was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

2013: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2013, Dawn Staley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

2014: Coaching the U17 Team

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

2014: First Final Four Appearance

In 2014-15 season, Dawn Staley led South Carolina to the program's first number 1 ranking and Final Four appearance.

2015: Coaching the U19 Team

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 it with Sean Miller.

2016: Assistant Coach at Rio Olympics

In 2016, Dawn Staley served as an assistant coach under Geno Auriemma for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, helping Team USA win their sixth straight gold medal in women's basketball.

2016: SEC Champions

In the 2016-17 season, 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 appointed as 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.

2018: Team USA wins the World Cup

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

2019: Team USA wins the FIBA AmeriCups

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

2020: Gold Medal as Team USA Head Coach

At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Dawn Staley achieved her first gold medal as the Head coach of Team USA, winning all six games and extending her record to 45–0.

2020: Successful Season and Coach of the Year Awards

In 2020, Dawn Staley led the Gamecocks to a 32–1 season, winning the SEC regular season and tournament championship, finishing #1 in both major polls before the NCAA tournament was cancelled. She also swept the national coach of the year awards, becoming the first person to win the Naismith award as a player and as a coach.

October 15, 2021: Contract Extension

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: Team USA wins the FIBA AmeriCups

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

2021: Olympic Gold Medal as Head Coach

In 2021, Dawn Staley won an Olympic gold medal as the head coach of the United States women's national basketball team.

January 2022: Staley hosts Netlife podcast

In January 2022, Dawn Staley began hosting a podcast called "Netlife", 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 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. Despite an investigation that didn't find evidence to support the claim, Staley declined to reinstate the series.

2022: Gamecocks win National Championship

In 2022, Dawn Staley's Gamecocks, ranked #1 throughout the season, defeated 14 ranked teams and won the NCAA tournament, securing their second national championship by defeating UConn. Staley became the first coach to defeat Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer, and Kim Mulkey in the same season. She was named Naismith Award winner and coached the National Player of the Year, Aliyah Boston.

2022: Wearing Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys

Throughout the 2022 NFL season, Dawn Staley, a fan of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, was often seen wearing their jerseys while coaching the Gamecocks.

2023: Continued Cancellation of BYU Matchups

In 2023, Dawn Staley upheld her decision from the previous year to keep the Gamecocks from playing matchups against Brigham Young University. This decision stemmed from an alleged racist incident in 2022 and persisted despite the lack of corroborating evidence from an investigation.

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 occurring during her time at South Carolina.

2024: Perfect Season

In 2024, Dawn Staley led South Carolina to a perfect season, winning another national championship.

2024: Perfect Season and National Title

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

2024: Staley credits Jesus after winning National Title

In 2024, after winning the National title, Dawn Staley thanked Jesus. On Easter Sunday 2024, Staley said "He is risen" after a game, referring to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.