Dawn Staley Delivers Powerful Message to Panthers During Training Camp Visit
The Carolina Panthers turned to a local sports legend for motivation as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season. South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley was invited to speak at the team’s Friday afternoon meeting during training camp, offering a championship mindset to a team eager to change its fortunes.
Although Staley isn’t a football coach, her track record speaks volumes. Now in her 17th season at South Carolina, the 55-year-old coach has led the Gamecocks to three national championships and nine SEC titles. Her presence alone left an impression—especially on Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn, whose girlfriend, Brea Beal, played under Staley from 2019 to 2023.
“I’ve heard my girlfriend talk about it, just the standard she talked about that [Dawn Staley] held them to,” Horn told Panthers.com. “It’s contagious, and I feel like that’s why they’re so dominant as a program… [Staley has] some swag to her, for sure.”
The Panthers have had a tough stretch in recent years, missing the playoffs for seven straight seasons. Despite finishing 5-12 last year, the team ended on a positive note and has renewed hopes heading into 2025.
While her speech may have resonated with players, Staley’s biggest impact could be on Panthers head coach Dave Canales. Entering his second year at the helm, Canales is looking to reshape the franchise after a long run as a respected quarterbacks coach and a season as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator.
Jaycee Horn’s South Carolina Ties to Staley and Beal
Horn’s connection to Staley extends beyond Friday’s meeting. During his time at the University of South Carolina, he met Brea Beal, who was a cornerstone of the Gamecocks’ 2022 national title team. A three-time Illinois Miss Basketball, Beal started 137 of 138 games for South Carolina and embodied the elite standard Staley instills in her players.
Horn, a first-round draft pick in 2021, spent three seasons playing football for the Gamecocks. Though he never played under Staley, the culture she created in Columbia clearly left its mark on him through Beal—and now, through a direct message to the Panthers.
