Dawn Staley joined the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2008 and has since transformed them into a dynasty. Under her leadership, South Carolina has evolved into an absolute powerhouse, winning three NCAA National Championships (2017, 2022, 2024) and 10 SEC regular-season titles.
The list doesn’t end here. Staley has produced several round one and no. 1 picks over the course of her career. However, despite her stunning resume, the latest update about her as a potential head coach for an NBA team has the internet divided.
NBA World Reacts to Dawn Staley’s Groundbreaking Coaching Rumor
Dawn Staley is thrust into the spotlight after being rumored as a potential candidate for the Head Coach position in Dallas. The buzz around the Mavericks’ coaching vacancy comes after a brutal 26-56 season that left them buried in the bottom three of the Western Conference.
The franchise mutually parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd after five seasons of partnership in May 2026. Under Kidd, the Mavs reached the 2022 Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals, posting an overall record of 205 wins and 205 losses.
Following Kidd’s departure, newly appointed team president Masai Ujiri initiated a comprehensive search for a new head coach. The top five potential candidates are: Sean Sweeney, Micah Nori, Jon Scheyer, Tiago Splitter, and Staley.
“It’s an open search. Our minds are very open. We’re going to look everywhere. No stone unturned, and we will really, really look at what’s best for this organization,” said Ujiri on Wednesday while addressing the media.
“I don’t think there’s a timeline right now. But it’s something that we really want to get done the right way. I have not spoken to anybody. That would be disrespectful to Jason. I would never ever do that to any coach or any position. I want to make that very clear. There’s not one person that’s gotten a phone call from me.”
The news has sparked intense debate, highlighting the high stakes and strong opinions about Staley’s suitability for the Mavericks’ head coach role.
We are leaving no stone unturned apparently https://t.co/nixUmkp8eF
— TheMavsBuddy (@mavericksbuddy) May 22, 2026
One fan echoed the new president’s words, saying, “We are leaving no stone unturned, apparently.”
Do It! https://t.co/OqM9Sq18BO
— Matthew Postins (@PostinsPostcard) May 22, 2026
Journalist Matthew Postins enthusiastically encouraged the front office with a “Do It!”
Granted I’m biased because she’s my favorite NCAA basketball coach but I do think Dawn Staley and (Las Vegas Aces coach) Becky Hammon can coach in the NBA https://t.co/S5H8svmiC3
— Vincent ‘Heartbreak’ Tucker (@IamHeartbreak_) May 22, 2026
Radio personality, Vincent ‘Heartbreak’ Tucker, posted, “Granted I’m biased because she’s my favorite NCAA basketball coach, but I do think Dawn Staley and (Las Vegas Aces coach) Becky Hammon can coach in the NBA.”
She’s one of a few women coaches in the women’s game (NCAA/WNBA) that would also thrive on the NBA level https://t.co/UfR5zfLGtk
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) May 22, 2026
Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. agreed, writing, “She’s one of a few women coaches in the women’s game (NCAA/WNBA) that would also thrive on the NBA level.”
“I actually REALLY like this! This maybe dope! No bs,” wrote one user.
However, one fan countered, “I don’t like firing Kidd for us to just go and interview college coaches tbh.”
Another user pointed out the unlikelihood of this move, “I don’t see her leaving South Carolina.”
But the sharpest pushback came from the World Exposure Report Women’s Basketball, which called the potential hire “a horrible decision.”
The Athletic reported, “One NBA executive told The Athletic that it wouldn’t be shocking if the Mavericks wanted to interview [Dawn] Staley.”
There is no official confirmation yet, but the Mavericks’ front office faces a pivotal choice, as the strong social media reactions reveal how significant hiring Dawn Staley as head coach would be for the NBA community.
