Gamecocks’ New Assistant Wendale Farrow Already Making a Big Impression
It hasn’t been long since Dawn Staley added Wendale Farrow to her South Carolina women’s basketball staff — but it’s already clear he’s fitting right in.
Farrow was officially hired on April 18 to replace former assistant Winston Gandy, who spent two seasons with the Gamecocks before accepting the head coaching role at Grand Canyon University in March.
At the SEC spring meetings last week in Destin, Florida, Staley shared with The State that when searching for Gandy’s replacement, she was looking for someone who could match his coaching skill, connection with players, and tireless work ethic. In Farrow, she believes she’s found just that.
“He’s been great,” Staley said. “We wanted a prototype of Winston and we’ve come really close — in terms of expertise and work ethic.”
Farrow, 37, arrives in Columbia after four strong years as an assistant at USC (Southern Cal). While he shares Gandy’s technical abilities and passion for player development, Staley noted that Farrow brings his own energy and personality to the program.
“He’s a little more outgoing, more expressive,” Staley said. “There’s no fat to Winston — very lean and efficient in everything he did. Wendale brings a lot more energy and vibes, and he really knows how to connect with our players — in a different but effective way.”
That ability to connect is something Gandy was known and loved for, and it was a priority for Staley to maintain that strong bond between staff and players.
Chloe Kitts, a forward for the Gamecocks, said before Farrow’s hire that the players hoped for someone who could relate to them the way Gandy did.
“He gets to know us more, and he can relate more because he is younger,” Kitts said. “It would be nice to have someone who keeps those personal relationships but also knows the game and holds us accountable.”
So far, the team seems to feel Farrow checks all the boxes.
“We love him,” said forward Adhel Tac at April’s Gamecock Gala. “He’s a great addition to our staff. I feel like he fits us. He just brings really great vibes.”
Staley added that Farrow brings something uplifting to the culture of the program:
“He’s not gonna let you have a bad day ever. That’s the type of guy he is.”
With energy, relatability, and coaching chops, Wendale Farrow might be new to Columbia — but he’s already feeling like a natural part of the Gamecock family.
