Dawn Staley Becomes Highest-Paid Women's Basketball Coach

Dawn Staley has become the highest paid coach in women's college basketball history with her new contract at the University of South Carolina, running through the 2029-2030 season. Staley's contract, approved by the South Carolina board of trustees, includes a base salary starting at $4 million, with annual increases of $250,000, reaching up to $5.25 million by the final year, along with a $500,000 signing bonus. This marks a significant rise from her previous contract, making her not only the top earner in women's college basketball but potentially the highest-paid female coach globally across all sports. Staley has led the Gamecocks to three national championships, including a perfect 38-0 season in 2023-2024, and has been instrumental in elevating the program's stature, with South Carolina appearing in six of the last nine NCAA Final Fours. Her achievements have been widely recognized, including multiple Coach of the Year awards, and her new contract reflects her contributions to the university and women's basketball. Staley expressed pride in representing the University and emphasized the importance of investment in women's sports.