CLEVELAND — Before the national championship game, Dawn Staley was asked for her thoughts on the GOAT conversation. Staley’s opinion was that one has to win a title before entering that discussion.
In the context of Iowa star Caitlin Clark, Staley said, “If Caitlin wins the championship, she’s pretty damn good, yeah, she’s a GOAT. I mean, she’s really damn good regardless. But winning the championship would seal the deal.”
Staley and the Gamecocks prevented Clark from sealing the deal Sunday in South Carolina’s 87-85 win, but perhaps the more deserving conversation is about Staley herself. With her third championship culminating the 10th undefeated season in NCAA women’s basketball history, the Gamecocks coach has entered rarefied air after the greatest coaching job of her career. In addition to presiding over the most dominant program in modern college basketball, Staley’s full body of work puts her among the best coaches of all time.
Protect Dawn Staley AT ALL COST!! No if, ands or buts! 🔒🫡
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 7, 2024
Take a look at Staley’s resume. She coached an Olympic gold-medal winning team in 2021. She is sixth in Final Four appearances, all six of them coming in the last decade. She is tied for fourth all-time in titles won…
