Dawn Staley Opens Up About Bond with Eagles Star Jalen Hurts and Why She Keeps Him Grounded
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dawn Staley still carries the heart of her hometown wherever she goes—even on the sidelines in South Carolina. The legendary Gamecocks women’s basketball head coach may be a powerhouse in NCAA hoops, but off the court, she’s also a passionate supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles, especially quarterback Jalen Hurts.
In a recent episode of the Not Gonna Lie podcast with Kylie Kelce—wife of former Eagles center Jason Kelce—Staley revealed the depth of her admiration for Hurts and how their friendship started.
“We have a mutual friend in Duce Staley, who used to be an assistant coach with the Eagles,” Staley shared. “So he introduced us.”
What started as a simple connection quickly grew into a meaningful support system. Staley explained how she often sends encouraging texts to Hurts, recognizing the immense pressure that comes with being QB1 in a city as passionate—and intense—as Philly.
“I know sometimes when you play for a team in Philly and you’re the quarterback — the star — it really is a lonely place,” she said. “When we lose, the city goes crazy. Like, crazy. So, sometimes I just text him, ‘Hey, don’t get too high with the highs or low with the lows.’”
Even though Hurts is known for his cool, composed demeanor, Staley knows that having someone to remind you to stay grounded matters.
“He’s the coolest cat that I know,” she added. “But sometimes you need to hear it. You’re the only one who’s going to feel the pressure of everybody else… But with Jalen, we know you’ve got the potential to win Super Bowls, you really feel the pressure.”
She said she’s proud of how far Hurts has come, adding, “I’m just like, ‘Hang in there. It’s Philly. Ride the wave.’ And we rode the wave with him all the way to the Super Bowl.”
Indeed, Hurts led the Eagles to their second Super Bowl title, and his MVP-winning performance has made him a household name—not just in Philadelphia, but across the NFL.
Mutual Respect Between Staley and Hurts
The admiration between the two isn’t one-sided. Hurts has often returned the love and respect, praising Staley’s leadership and coaching excellence.
“There’s definitely deep ties there, but I just love great coaching,” Hurts told ESPN in 2023. “I love and respect how (Coach Staley) goes about it—the leader she is, the competitor she is, how she’s able to relate. You know, she’s just special.”
He even showed up in person to cheer her on when South Carolina defeated Caitlin Clark and Iowa 87-75 in the 2024 NCAA National Championship, completing an undefeated 38-0 season and bringing home the program’s second title in three years.
Though Staley’s team made it back to the national championship this past season, they fell just short against Paige Bueckers and UConn. Still, the respect and support between Staley and Hurts continues to serve as a powerful example of how sports icons from different arenas can uplift and inspire each other—on and off the field.
