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Dawn Staley agrees to record-breaking contract extension with South Carolina
Dawn Staley has signed a historic contract extension with South Carolina.
Staley, quickly becoming one of the most decorated women’s college basketball coaches of all time, re-upped with the Gamecocks on Friday. Her new deal with the program runs through the 2029-30 season and will make her the highest-paid women’s coach in the history of the sport.
Per the press release, Staley’s new deal is worth up to $25.5 million over the lifetime of the contract. Staley is set to earn $4 million annually in the first year of the contract.
“I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and of its investment in women’s basketball,” Staley said in a statement. “What we’ve been able to accomplish on the court is a testament to what can happen when you bring together the right people from a team perspective but also have the right commitment from the University, the Athletics Department and the community to providing that team with everything it needs to be successful. I appreciate every person who has been part of our journey – player, staff member, University President and leadership, Board of Trustee member, athletics director, athletics department employee and fan. I look forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women’s basketball is one that will pay off for everyone.”
Staley has led the Gamecocks to 6 Final Four appearances and 3 national championships. The Gamecocks have reached at least the Sweet 16 in 10 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. As of this writing, they’ve lost a total of 10 games since the start of the 2019-20 season.
South Carolina is 17-1 so far in 2024-25 and is currently ranked No. 2 nationally. Staley and the Gamecocks will be in action again on Sunday as they host No. 13 Oklahoma.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.