Dawn Staley Opens Up in Powerful New Memoir: “Uncommon Favor”
Dawn Staley, the iconic head coach of South Carolina women’s basketball, has released a deeply personal and inspiring memoir titled “Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three.”
Regarded as one of the greatest coaches in women’s college basketball, Staley has led the Gamecocks to three national championships and cemented her legacy with seven Final Four appearances in the last decade. But her journey to becoming “Coach” was anything but predictable.
In an interview with TODAY.com, Staley reflected on her early hesitation toward coaching. When then-athletic director Dave O’Brien offered her the head coaching position at Temple University, she was skeptical.
“Why would I do that?” Staley recalled thinking. “I didn’t know that coaching would be the perfect profession for me.”
At just 29 years old, she hesitated to take on the responsibility of mentoring young athletes.
“I’m responsible for 18-to-22-year-olds… Why would I take on all that responsibility when they may not have a disciplined parent like I had?” she shared. “I knew I was not going to shame my family’s name.”
But O’Brien saw her potential and strategically challenged her leadership.
“He asked me, ‘Can you lead?’ I’ve been a captain on every team I’ve played on,” she said. “Sometimes people say things to get a reaction out of you.”
That challenge struck a chord. Staley accepted the role just two weeks later—marking the beginning of her legendary coaching career. In 2008, she was hired by the University of South Carolina, where she has built one of the most dominant programs in women’s basketball history.
Despite her incredible success, Staley admits she began with “no coaching experience,” relying instead on grit, instinct, and emotional intelligence.
“Whatever I decide to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability,” she said. “I meet [my players] where they are, and hopefully, I can take them where they want to go.”
Rooted in North Philly
Staley credits much of her strength and character to her upbringing in North Philadelphia.
“I’m deeply rooted in where I grew up, which is the projects of North Philly,” she said. “From the outside, people see poverty and crime. But inside, I saw discipline, camaraderie, community—traits that shaped who I am.”
A key figure in her life was her mother, Estelle Staley, whose wisdom and resilience were foundational to her success.
“My mom had the strength of 10 men,” Staley recalled. “She didn’t graduate high school, but she was so equipped with worldly knowledge.”
Even after Estelle’s passing in 2017, her impact remains.
“We started a sibling group chat to remember her ‘mommyisms,’” Staley shared. “She taught me resilience. If something’s tough, let’s move on.”
Her mother’s teachings also redefined how she viewed education and learning.
“Everyone should get an education. But not having one doesn’t mean you can’t keep learning,” she said. “That’s something my mom proved every day.”
A Journey Marked by Purpose and Faith
Staley, who once starred at the University of Virginia, won three Olympic gold medals, and helped launch the WNBA, calls her journey an example of divine guidance.
“The name of my book is ‘Uncommon Favor’ for a reason,” she said. “I am favored by God with how my life has turned out.”
With humility and authenticity, Dawn Staley continues to inspire through her words and leadership—proof that greatness doesn’t come from a straight path, but from resilience, purpose, and the courage to lead.
