Dawn Staley: South Carolina women's basketball coach with three NCAA titles in Final Four

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley signs a baby as the Gamecocks celebrate their NCAA Regional Final game win over Duke at Legacy Arena in Birmingham Alabama, March 30, 2025.

Mar 23, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley waves to the crowd following their win against the Indiana Hoosiers at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Mar 21, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley cuts the net down after the win over Texas in the SEC women’s championship at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley hoists the SEC Championship Trophy after her team's win over Texas during the SEC Women’s Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Mar 8, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells to her team during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Mar 7, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts to a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Mar 2, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley speaks to the crowd after her team defeated the Kentucky Wildcats at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley works with her team against the Vanderbilt during the second quarter at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.

Feb 20, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks communicates with an official during the second quarter an NCAA women's basketball game against the UConn Huskies at Colonial Life Arena on February 16, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. The UConn Huskies won 87-58. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts to the referee's decision in the first half as the Texas Longhorns take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Moody Center, Feb. 9, 2025. Texas won the game 66-62.

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 02: Former South Carolina Gamecocks player A'ja Wilson hugs head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks before her jersey retirement ceremony before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Colonial Life Arena on February 02, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

South Carolina basketball coach Dawn Staley talks with an official during an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Jan 24, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts to a play against the LSU Lady Tigers in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Jan 19, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley gives directions as her team plays Alabama Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 12: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks communicates with players during the fourth quarter of an NCAA women's basketball game against Texas Longhorns at Colonial Life Arena on January 12, 2024 in Columbia, South Carolina. The South Carolina Gamecocks won 67-50. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half Jan. 9, 2025 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.

Dec 29, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Wofford Terriers in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Dec 19, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Dec 5, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts to a play during the second quarter of a Fort Myers Tip-Off Island Division game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.

Nov 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells at her players during the first quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley waves to fans after the game with Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum Wednesday, November 20, 2024; Clemson, SC, USA.

Nov 17, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the East Carolina Lady Pirates in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates after defeating the NC State Wolfpack during their game at the Spectrum Center on November 10, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on in the first quarter of a game against the Michigan Wolverines during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena on November 04, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Dawn Staley, left, picked South Carolina and Lee Corso picked LSU during the ESPN Gameday show before kickoff at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, September 14, 2024.

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Coach Dawn Staley during an event to celebrate the University of South Carolina women's basketball team for their 2023-2024 championship season, in the East Room of the White House on September 10, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew ANGERER / AFP) (Photo by DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images)

Aug 9, 2024; Paris, France; Dawn Staley talking to Kevin Durant during a women's basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 27, 2024; Paris, France; Dawn Staley attends gymnastics during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the trophy presentation after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley cuts the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the trophy presentation after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley and guard Bree Hall (23) celebrate after defeating the NC State Wolfpack in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts against the NC State Wolfpack in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 3, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dawn Staley of South Carolina poses for a photo after receiving the the award for the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year at the Cleveland Browns Stadium Key Bank Club. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, cutting down the net after a victory in the Elite Eight, will coach the Gamecocks in another Final Four.

Mar 31, 2024; Albany, NY, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells to her players on the court during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers in the finals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 29, 2024; Albany, NY, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers in the semifinals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the MVP Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley greets South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson (5) during pregame of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament game at the Colonial Life Center in Columbia, S.C. Friday, March 22, 2024.

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates with the team after the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Sunday, March 10, 2024.

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley cuts down the net after her team beat LSU for the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Sunday, March 10, 2024.

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley reacts a moment before a scuffle broke out with LSU during the fourth quarter of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Sunday, March 10, 2024.

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley communicates during the third quarter of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Mar 3, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Tennessee Lady Vols in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Dawn Staley, Head coach of the University of South Carolina basketball team, hugs Gamecocks signee Joyce Edwards of Camden High, after they won 44-22 against Wren High in the 2024 South Carolina High School 3A Basketball Championship game at the Florence Center in Florence, S.C. Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Feb 22, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley speaks to the crowd after clinching a share of the SEC regular season title after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 18, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley high fives her players before the game against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina basketball coach Dawn Staley during the NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee on Thursday, February 15, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Feb 11, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley disputes a call against the UConn Huskies in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 4, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Ole Miss Rebels in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 28, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley disputes a call against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 25, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first half against the LSU Lady Tigers at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 15, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 19, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley talks with the media during the SEC Basketball Tipoff at Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 4, 2022; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; Darlington Raceway president Kerry Tharp poses with University of South Carolina womens basketball coach Dawn Staley after giving her a plaque for her role as Honorary Pace Car Driver prior to the COOK OUT Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley cuts down the net after beating Maryland in the NCAA Women's Elite Eight Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Monday, March 27, 2023.

Mar 30, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley tosses a Wilson basketball during team practice at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley pumps her fist after one of her players scores against Maryland during the fourth quarter of the Elite Eight NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Monday, March 27, 2023.

Mar 19, 2023; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the South Florida Bulls in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 17, 2023; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley dances before their game against the Norfolk State Spartans in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball tournament at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates with players after the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Sunday, March 5, 2023. South Carolina won 74-58.

Jan 5, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Auburn Tigers in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 13, 2022; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks womenÕs basketball head coach Dawn Staley speaks to fans during their championship parade. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley cuts down the net as she celebrates the Gamecocks' victory over UConn for the national title.

Feb 13, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts on the sidelines against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first half at Colonial Life Arena on Jan. 9, 2022.

Mar 8, 2020; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the SEC Conference Championship at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley places the basketball net around her neck after winning the 2018 SEC Women’s Basketball Championship at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Sunday, March 4, 2018.

South Carolina forward A'ja Wilson (22) picks up South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley after winning the during 2018 SEC Women’s Basketball Championship at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Sunday, March 4, 2018.

Dawn Staley after winning the 2017 Women's Final Four championships

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after her team defeated Mississippi State 59-49 in SEC women's basketball championship on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. =

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the USC Trojans in the second half at Colonial Life Arena on Nov 15, 2014.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley high fives the South Carolina band after the Gamecocks 81-48 1st round NCAA Tournament win over Savannah State Friday, March 20, 2015 at Carolina's Colonial Life Arena.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, left, and assistant coach Lisa Boyer celebrate the Gamecocks 67-65 win over North Carolina in the 3rd round of the NCAA Women's Tournament Friday, March 27, 2015 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley high-fives a South Carolina band member after their team defeated Tennessee 62-46 in the SEC tournament final at Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Ark. on Sunday, March 8, 2015. (ADAM LAU/NEWS SENTINEL)

USC women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley answers questions from fans following practice at Southside High School on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Dawn Staley helped Virginia to three Final Fours and was a two-time national player of the year from 1989-92.