The Gamecocks’ Ultimate Coaching Mount Rushmore Revealed
Throughout the summer, The State has rolled out Mount Rushmore selections for various South Carolina sports programs. After spotlighting football’s all-time greats, the series wrapped with perhaps the toughest assignment of all — selecting the four greatest coaches in all of Gamecock history.
With more than a dozen deserving candidates, narrowing it down wasn’t easy. But after careful deliberation — and input from fans, a veteran local radio voice, and even ChatGPT — a final coaching Mount Rushmore emerged.
🏛️ Jay Phillips’ Picks: The Voice of Experience
Longtime Columbia sports radio host Jay Phillips of 107.5 The Game offered his expert take. A fixture in South Carolina sports for over 20 years, here’s who made his list:
- Frank McGuire (Men’s Basketball)
- Steve Spurrier (Football)
- Dawn Staley (Women’s Basketball)
- Ray Tanner (Baseball)
Phillips explained McGuire’s transformational role:
“Coach McGuire was the first at Carolina to really teach the school how to reach for bigger things,” he said. “His recruiting pipeline to NYC was extraordinary… his success got Carolina Coliseum built and led Carolina to the top of the ACC.”
On Spurrier’s impact, Phillips noted:
“He really taught the school how to live in the SEC each and every day… with the right mix of coaching, talent, and school participation, Carolina could truly compete nationally.”
About Staley, Phillips was unequivocal:
“She is a household name in global basketball… ‘rock star’ is not enough to describe her personality, competitive intensity, and level of success.”
As for Tanner, Phillips praised his competitive fire:
“He brought renewed energy… Within a decade USC went to six super regionals and three College World Series. Then came back-to-back national titles. He’s a humble leader, but a giant in Gamecock history.”
🗳️ What the Fans Said: Nearly 1,500 Votes Cast
Fans voted from a field of 14 legendary names. The results?
- Dawn Staley
- Steve Spurrier
- Ray Tanner
- Frank McGuire
Staley topped the list, with Spurrier, Tanner, and McGuire closely following. Boo Major and Curtis Frye rounded out the top six.
📰 The State’s Official Picks
The State’s editorial team made their own selections — and they matched both the fans and AI:
- Dawn Staley
- Ray Tanner
- Steve Spurrier
- Frank McGuire
Staley is the crown jewel of South Carolina athletics. Since her arrival, the women’s basketball program has soared — three national championships (2017, 2022, 2024), seven Final Fours, nine SEC Tournament titles, and a continuous AP Top 25 presence since 2012. She’s a five-time National Coach of the Year and has a bronze statue in downtown Columbia to prove it.
Tanner, who led USC to two baseball national championships and a third straight CWS appearance from 2010–2012, also served as the school’s athletic director for 12 years. This year, Founders Park was renamed Ray Tanner Field in his honor.
Spurrier, despite a rocky ending, guided South Carolina to three consecutive 11-win seasons and eight bowl appearances, becoming the winningest coach in program history. He also earned SEC Coach of the Year honors twice.
McGuire, who led men’s basketball for 16 years, still holds the record for most wins (283) in program history. He led USC to ACC titles, multiple NCAA appearances, and earned National Coach of the Year in 1970.
🎖️ Honorable Mentions Worthy of Praise
These coaching legends narrowly missed the final four but left undeniable legacies:
- Joyce Compton (Softball): The winningest coach in USC history with 951 victories. Two Women’s College World Series appearances.
- Curtis Frye (Track & Field): Coached 28 Olympians, 60 NCAA champions, and led USC to its first NCAA team title in 2002.
- Boo Major (Equestrian): Guided the program to three national titles, two SEC championships, and a decade of elite dominance.
🤖 ChatGPT’s Take
Asked to weigh in, ChatGPT echoed the consensus:
- Ray Tanner
- Dawn Staley
- Steve Spurrier
- Frank McGuire
Honorable mentions included Shelley Smith (women’s soccer), Joe Morrison (football), and Beverly Smith (softball).
In the end, whether you side with fans, experts, or AI, one thing is clear: the legacies of Staley, Tanner, Spurrier, and McGuire have forever shaped the Gamecock athletic story.
