South Carolina coach Dawn Staley had a remarkable career as a standout player at Virginia, helping the Cavaliers make the Final Four three times, earning two Player of the Year Awards, and once becoming the nation’s all-time steals leader, a title she held until 10 players surpassed her mark.
Staley then went on to play in the WNBA when it began in 1997, becoming one of the pioneers of the mid-90s revolution of women’s basketball. She also won three Olympic gold medals in 1996, 2000, and 2004.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native doubled down as an NCAA Division I coach for Temple (2000-08) while playing in the WNBA and became a full-time bench tactician at South Carolina in 2008. She then steered the Gamecocks to three national titles in 2017, 2022, and 2024 and won another gold medal as Team USA’s head coach in the Covid-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
What Is Dawn Staley’s Perception Of Being A ‘GOAT’?
Despite winning various championships as a coach, the Hall of Famer admitted she had wanted to win a team title as a player, as that eluded her when she was in Virginia, coming short in 1991 as the Cavaliers lost to Tennessee in overtime.
In one of the interviews she had before the 2024 women’s college basketball championship game between South Carolina and Iowa, which was led by all-time Division I scoring leader Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley commented on the possibility of becoming the greatest of all time. She noted that winning a national title is imperative to be included in the “GOAT” debate.
In a news conference before the 2024 national championship game between Staley’s South Carolina and Clark’s Iowa, both were asked if a championship is required to cement the player’s status as the “Greatest of All Time,” the veteran coach didn’t hold back and insisted it is needed by a player to be called one.
“I was really good in college, never won a championship,” Staley said. “You’ve got to win a championship. That’s me personally. I had a great career. But it’s always, did you win a championship?”
She also emphasized the comment made by UConn standout and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart that Clark needed to win a title to stake her “GOAT” claim.
“I agree with Stewie when it comes to winning the championship,” Staley said. “We’re going to talk about GOATs. I think she’s the GOAT, to be able to win four national championships and to be MVP. I think she was MVP all four times.”
Stewart won the national title with the Huskies from 2013 to 2016 and won three WNBA titles with the Seattle Storm and the Liberty.
As for Clark, who led Iowa to the national championship final in 2023 and 2024, said otherwise. She claimed that being the GOAT shouldn’t be measured by the accomplishments made as a player, but by the number of people they inspire to play the sport.
“I hope it is the young boys and young girls that are inspired to play this sport or dream to do whatever they want to do in their lives,” Clark, who now plays for the Indiana Fever, said. “For it to come down to 40 minutes and for me to validate myself within 40 minutes, I don’t think that’s a fair assessment.”
Dawn Staley Hails Caitlin Clark for Helping Women’s Basketball Gain Mainstream Popularity
But despite the difference in beliefs, the South Carolina coach praised Clark for making her legacy in this era and helping the sport gain tremendous mainstream popularity nowadays.
“We’re very fortunate to be a part of it. We get to witness firsthand the legacy of Caitlin Clark. You watch her. You prep for her. You can’t help but to really love how she dissects the game,” she said. “You love how she executes. Her game is simple and yet powerful. How do you defend fundamental basketball with offense with fundamental defense? You can’t. She’s going to win every time.”
Fortunately for Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks, they staved off Clark’s onslaught, winning 87-75 and completing a 38-0 sweep of the whole 2024 NCAA Tournament.
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Up to this moment, the Hall of Fame coach is full of praise for her fellow generational talent. In June, she complimented Clark’s dynamic abilities as a player aside from shooting the basketball from deep.
“For me, the most dangerous thing of Caitlin Clark is her passing ability,” she said in Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast in June 2025. “Her ability to make other people better, and her ability to have other peopleâs production along with her production. Thatâs how you win.”
Staley’s Gamecocks started their 2025-26 college women’s basketball campaign on Monday on a bright note, winning 94-54 over Grand Canyon.