Dawn Staley Named Semifinalist for 2025 Naismith Coach of the Year—Again!
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley continues to make history, earning a spot among the 10 semifinalists for the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Already the only four-time winner of the prestigious award—across both men’s and women’s basketball—Staley is aiming for her fourth consecutive win.
Dominating the SEC Once Again
Under Staley’s leadership, South Carolina swept both the SEC Regular-Season and Tournament titles for the third straight year—marking the seventh time in the last 11 seasons they’ve accomplished the feat.
Facing the toughest schedule in the nation (per NET rankings), the Gamecocks still soared to their fourth consecutive 30-win season, making it their eighth 30-win campaign in Staley’s 17 seasons in Columbia.
Their 19 Quad 1 games lead the nation, and their 16 Quad 1 victories are the most by any team.
A Balanced, Relentless Powerhouse
South Carolina has dominated ranked opponents, securing 12 wins, including a staggering seven victories over top-10 teams—all while winning by an average margin of 20 points.
What makes this team even more dangerous? A true team-first mentality.
- Ranked 11th nationally in scoring, South Carolina’s top scorer averages just 13.2 PPG.
- Seven Gamecocks average at least 7.0 PPG, making them one of the deepest squads in the country.
- The bench alone leads the nation in scoring, contributing an incredible 41.5 PPG.
What’s Next for the Gamecocks?
Ranked No. 2 nationally, South Carolina now awaits its NCAA Tournament seeding, which will be revealed on Sunday, March 16, at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
For the latest updates, follow @GamecockWBB on social media or visit GamecocksOnline.com.
2025 Naismith Coach of the Year Semifinalists
- Geno Auriemma (UConn)
- Kenny Brooks (Kentucky)
- Mark Campbell (TCU)
- Cori Close (UCLA)
- Lindsay Gottlieb (Southern Cal)
- Niele Ivey (Notre Dame)
- Wes Moore (NC State)
- Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt)
- Vic Schaefer (Texas)
- Dawn Staley (South Carolina)
Could Staley claim a historic fifth Naismith Coach of the Year award? Stay tuned!
