Dawn Staley now highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley is now the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball history after signing a new contract Friday. 

The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved the deal worth a total of $25.25 million. It begins immediately with a $4 million annual salary that escalates each year by $250,000, with her expected to be paid $5,250,000 in the final year. She’ll also get a $500,000 signing bonus. The deal runs through the 2029-30 season and also includes incentive clauses for reaching certain benchmarks, including $500,000 if she wins a national championship. 

“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.”

New University of South Carolina Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati said it was a chance to honor a coach who’s meant so much in her time at Carolina. 

“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” said Donati. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus and I am excited that she will be representing our University for many years to come.”

The Gamecocks are in the midst of yet another possible national championship run after capturing the title last season. In April of 2024, USC defeated Iowa 87-75 for their third title in program history. The Gamecocks became the first women’s team to go undefeated since UConn in 2016 and just the 10th team to go through an unblemished season, including the 2022-23 season, when they went undefeated until the Final Four. 

Staley has coached the team since 2008, ushering in an era that’s seen the Gamecocks achieve milestone after milestone and become a national power in the sport. The Gamecocks are one of five programs to have at least three NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championships during the time since she began, and they are one of two programs to have put together multiple 40-game win streaks. Prior to her arrival, the team had never been ranked number one and never made a Final Four. Since then they’ve been ranked number one 86 times and have been to six Final Fours. She’s also coached two National Players of the Year, A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston, the first players in program history to win that award.