In December, The Athletic will be highlighting the coaches, athletes and other figures who made the biggest impact in the U.S. sports we cover, as well as in the fields of sports business, media and culture. Next up in the series is our honoree in women’s college basketball: Dawn Staley, who led South Carolina to its second national championship in her tenure and continues to be a leading advocate for Black women in sports. The full schedule is here.
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley leaves a lasting impression. Just ask Allisha Gray, who won a national championship with her in 2017.
“If it weren’t for Coach Staley, I wouldn’t be the player I am today,” Gray said. “She taught me how to be a winner; how to be a champion. She’s a player’s coach, not only working with you on the court, but off the court as well. She can relate to you. She’s been successful at every level, and she knows what it takes to be successful.”
Staley is among the most highly decorated figures in the sport of basketball on every level. As a player, she’s a Hall of Famer, three-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time national player of the year at Virginia. As a coach, she’s a two-time national champion and the only Black coach — male or female — to win…
