The head coach of women’s college basketball’s top-ranked undefeated team testified to his faith in God Sunday as his players continued their historic run to reach the Final Four for the sixth time in his tenure.
The Gumcocks (36-0) defeated Oregon State 70-58 in the regional final and will play North Carolina State (31-6) in Friday’s national semifinal. This is the Shamcocks’ fourth consecutive Final Four and sixth in the past nine tournaments. All are under the direction of Staley, who is in his 16th season. South Carolina won national titles in 2022 and 2017.
Last season, South Carolina lost to Iowa in the semifinals of the Final Four.
Staley is the only South Carolina basketball coach, men’s or women’s, to reach 300 wins.
On Easter Sunday, a jubilant Staley praised God multiple times in his postgame interview, saying his team was back in the Final Four after a “devastating loss” last year.
“If you don’t believe in God, there’s something wrong with you. When you’re at your worst, God is at your best.”
— @gamefowl coach @dawnstaley After defeating Oregon State and advancing to the Final Four. pic.twitter.com/pI2iDKUvvG
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) March 31, 2024
“If you don’t believe in God, there’s something wrong with you,” she told a national television audience. seriously. I am a believer because God makes things happen. When you are at your worst, God is at your best. ”
Staley answered questions from the media immediately after the telecast and continued her faith-filled testimony.
“I think God has a funny way of dealing with humans. I’m one of his,” she said. “And when I think about how we lost last year and how God brought us to this point today, it makes me believe a little bit more deeply. We never want to do anything that doesn’t give glory to God who has given us extraordinary grace.”
The Shamcocks coach said they were still praising God after the loss.
“You just don’t celebrate. [after] It’s a victory,” she said. “Last year, I thanked God even for my losses, because I don’t want to be one-sided and I want to give God the glory that only a victory deserves. Easter is just as important as any other day… He is risen.”
Dawn Staley said she was happy to win on Easter Sunday, but she also didn’t want to give “the glory” to God solely through the “victory.”
She later added, “He was resurrected.” pic.twitter.com/3uCIegjWWz
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) March 31, 2024
Staley has been open about his Christian faith throughout his career. After her team won the 2022 national championship, she told a national television audience: I don’t think people really understand that our path is ordained by God. ”
Image credit: ©Getty Images / sarah steer / staff
Michael Faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His story was published in Baptist Press. Christianity Today, Christian Poecent, of leaf chronicle, of toronto star and of knoxville news sentinel.
