Dawn Staley on Women in NBA Coaching

South Carolina’s women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley, expressed skepticism about seeing a woman appointed as an NBA head coach during her lifetime.

At SEC Media Day on Tuesday, Staley, who interviewed for the Knicks’ head coaching position in July, noted that the interview felt genuine. She expressed a willingness to assist anyone aspiring to be the first female NBA coach, emphasizing her capability to guide them through the process.

“No, I don’t believe it will happen in my lifetime,” Staley, 55, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, told ESPN. “And I hope I’m wrong.”

In her remarks, she explained her connection to the Knicks’ president Leon Rose and senior advisor William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley, with whom she has had a long-standing relationship over the past 30 years. “I connect with people because I need to,” Staley remarked, highlighting her rapport with them. Staley has led South Carolina to three national championships.

“It was a real interview, so I wanted to engage in discussions they were having. If anyone wishes to know how to step into that role as the first female NBA coach, I have all the insights and can help arrange interviews,” she mentioned.

Staley also indicated her openness to a position within an NBA franchise, recognizing that some teams might not be prepared to handle the implications of hiring a woman. “If there’s any NBA franchise interested in hiring women, I’m here too. They need to be ready for everything that comes with that,” she added.

Staley acknowledged the challenges that come with being the first woman in a coaching role. “If I were coaching the Knicks and they were on a losing streak, it’s not just about the losses. As a franchise, we need to be strong enough to handle the scrutiny that a female coach would face,” she explained.

Earlier in the year, Staley had mentioned she would consider taking the job had the Knicks offered it to her.

South Carolina’s season is set to begin on November 3 against Grand Canyon.

The Knicks recently hired Mike Brown as head coach after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year.

Brown previously won four NBA championships as an assistant coach, contributing to one with the Spurs and three with the Warriors under coaches Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr.

Before his hiring, Brown was let go by the Kings after a disappointing start in December 2024, despite leading the team to its first playoff appearance in 16 years in 2023.