Recently, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley joined CBS Mornings to talk about her new book, Uncommon Favor. The conversation turned deeply personal as Staley reflected on her childhood in North Philadelphia and the powerful role her late mother, Estelle, played in shaping her values—both on and off the court.
As a young recruit, Staley admitted she felt uneasy when college coaches visited her home. But her mother’s advice left a lasting mark:
“Never be ashamed of where you come from because you can inspire others to achieve, to do things they didn’t think that they could do.”
Staley stressed her reluctance wasn’t about shame, but about pride and protection for her neighborhood.
“I thought where I grew up was sacred. From the outside, people probably saw an impoverished community. But to me, it was the grandest.”
She described her community as a tightly knit, watchful family.
“They take care of you. They protect you. They make sure you are not doing the things you’re not supposed to be doing.”
Staley admitted her mother may have misunderstood her hesitation, thinking it was embarrassment. In reality, she was also looking out for the visitors.
“I actually didn’t want anything to happen to [the recruiters] either because they were strangers to the neighborhood.”
A Career Built on Excellence and Advocacy
With a net worth estimated at $12 million and a base salary of $4.25 million per year, Staley is the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball. She’s brought South Carolina three NCAA championships and cemented the program as a national powerhouse.
Her book also addresses how she’s used her platform to advocate for equity, justice, and pay equality.
“These conversations aren’t being had,” Staley said. “I was blessed by pay equity—not given, I fought for it.”
For her, the willingness to stand firm is crucial:
“Sometimes you have to do the unpopular right thing,” she added, praising her university for listening when it mattered most.
Looking Ahead
After falling to UConn in last season’s NCAA championship game, Staley and the Gamecocks are determined to return to the top. With a fresh roster and renewed drive, South Carolina will aim to write a new chapter—both in the record books and in Staley’s legacy.
