Dawn Staley's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Dawn Staley.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2021: Gold Medal in 2021 FIBA AmeriCup

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

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.

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: 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.