• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley’s new contract with South Carolina allows her to leave college for pro jobs without paying a buyout.

Dawn Staley
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

What seemed like half the NBA shot down the Knicks this summer. One coach who would have taken the job: Dawn Staley.

The South Carolina legend said this week she would have taken the position if offered.

“I would have had to do it,” Staley told the Post Moves podcast. “Not just for me. For women. Just to break open that…. I would have had to. It’s the New York Knicks. I’m from Philly. But it’s the freaking New York Knicks.”

Staley confirmed that she spoke with Knicks brass after they fired Tom Thibodeau in June. New York eventually hired Mike Brown in July.

The three-time NCAA champion detailed some of her conversations with the Knicks on the podcast.

“How, if you hired me as the first female [head] coach in the NBA, would it impact your daily job?” Staley said she asked in her interview. “Because it would. You’re going to be asked questions that you don’t have to answer if you’re a male coach. There’s going to be the media and all this other stuff that you have to deal with that you didn’t have to deal with and don’t have to deal with when you hire a male.

“That got them to thinking, ‘Maybe she’s right.’ I felt the energy change after that. So, I shot myself in the foot by…being inquisitive and asking all those darn questions.”

Staley is known for being one of the most media-friendly coaches in the sport. The Knicks are known for the opposite approach: Owner James Dolan has kicked reporters out of concerts and banned them from press conferences, while president Leon Rose has never held a solo press conference in his tenure running the team.

Had Staley taken the Knicks job, she wouldn’t have owed South Carolina a dime. In January, South Carolina made Staley the highest-paid women’s basketball coach with a new contract that will pay her $4 million annually and increase by $250,000 each year until it ends in 2030. The contract’s total value is $25.25 million. 

If Staley takes another college job before the deal expires in April 2030, she would owe South Carolina “an amount equal to the coach’s guaranteed annual compensation, pro-rated, for the remaining term of the agreement,” the contract says. But the contract explicitly says that if she leaves for a head or assistant job in the NBA or WNBA, she wouldn’t owe the school anything.

Staley was asked on the show if she’d be interested in coaching the WNBA’s new expansion team in her hometown of Philadelphia, which will begin play in 2030. She reiterated her longtime stance of only wanting to be involved in the WNBA as an owner.

“I don’t want to coach in the WNBA,” Staley said on the podcast. “I could have coached in the WNBA a long time ago. That really isn’t my passion.

“I want ownership,” she added. “I want to own. I don’t want to be a coach. Coach is just a part of the process. I want to be in the room helping to make decisions on how you put a product on the floor, how you get into the community, how you get people in the stands. That’s the sweat equity that I want. But I want that as an owner.” 

Staley has entertained NBA gigs before this year. She interviewed for the Portland Trail Blazers’ head coaching job in 2021 and said the organization “treated me like a real candidate” throughout the process. The Blazers ultimately hired Chauncey Billups instead. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Maverick Carter, LeBron James
exclusive

New International Basketball League Plans Launch, Without Maverick Carter

The venture plans to launch men’s and women’s leagues next fall.
Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks onto the field before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.

Big Ten Teams Grapple With Long Flights, Time-Zone Hurdles

Coaches across the country are noticing some impact.
Bucks

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.

Amazon Adds Golf to Its Packed Black Friday Sports Lineup With NFL,..

On Nov. 28, The Skins Game will return for the first time since 2008.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders hug following a game at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

More Health Problems for Deion Sanders As Colorado Slides

Sanders indicated his blood clots have returned.
Sandy Brondello
September 23, 2025

Liberty Fire Sandy Brondello One Year After Winning WNBA Title

Brondello went 107–53 in four seasons with New York.
Cheryl Reeve
September 30, 2025

Cheryl Reeve Hit With Largest Individual Fine in WNBA History

Reeve said the WNBA needs a “change of leadership” in officiating.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Noelle Quinn
September 22, 2025

WNBA Has No Black Woman Head Coaches After Seattle Fires Noelle Quinn

Quinn could end up being the only coach fired in this cycle.
Bruce Pearl
September 22, 2025

Bruce Pearl Retires As Auburn Coach, Says He Won’t Run for Senate

Pearl had long been rumored to be interested in politics.
Inter Miami bench
August 21, 2025

Inter Miami Post-Red Card Phone Coaching May Have Been Legal

Javier Mascherano appeared to continue coaching through a call from the stands.
Andy Reid
August 21, 2025

Andy Reid Office Shooting Went Unreported for a Year

Reid was inside at the time but wasn’t injured.