South Carolina's head coach, Dawn Staley, has signed a contract extension that will make her the highest-paid college women's basketball coach in history. The new deal, valued at approximately $25 million, extends Staley's tenure through the 2029-30 season.
Under the terms of the contract, Staley will earn $4 million annually with a $250,000 escalator each year. Additionally, she will receive a $500,000 signing bonus.
South Carolina's athletics director, Jeremiah Donati, praised Staley's impact on the university, stating that she has elevated women's basketball both nationally and on campus. Staley has led the Gamecocks to six Final Four appearances in the last nine years, winning national titles in 2017, 2022, and 2024. The team is currently ranked second in the AP poll with a 17-1 record for the season.
Staley, a five-time Coach of the Year, credited the team's success to the collective effort of the players, university, athletics department, and community. She expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the importance of investing in women's basketball for long-term success.
Former players, including South Carolina standout Aliyah Boston, lauded Staley's dedication to the sport and her advocacy for women's basketball. Boston highlighted Staley's role as a mentor and leader, noting her success as both a player and coach.
South Carolina's women's basketball program has seen remarkable fan support, leading the nation in attendance for the past decade. This season, the team sold out season tickets for the first time in program history, with 13,152 tickets sold.
Staley's contract extension reflects the university's commitment to women's basketball and recognizes her outstanding contributions to the sport. Her historic deal sets a new standard for coaching salaries in women's college basketball.
