SHE IS BACK: Alaina Coates Returns to South Carolina Gamecocks as Assistant Coach and the team reveals her due to two personal reasons…..

SHE IS BACK: Alaina Coates Returns to South Carolina Gamecocks as Assistant Coach and the team reveals her due to two personal reasons…..

In a homecoming that has delighted Gamecock fans across the country, former South Carolina women’s basketball star Alaina Coates is officially returning to the program. The university announced today that Coates has accepted a position on Dawn Staley’s coaching staff as an Assistant Coach and Player Development Advisor. Her return marks a full-circle moment for the Columbia native and national champion, who says two deeply personal reasons motivated her decision.

Coates, a 6-foot-4 powerhouse during her playing days, was a cornerstone of the Gamecocks’ rise to national prominence. She played under Coach Staley from 2013 to 2017, helping the team capture the 2017 NCAA Championship. Following her college career, Coates was the second overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft and has played for several WNBA teams, as well as professionally overseas. Despite her successful playing career, she has always felt a strong pull back to her roots.

“Coming back to South Carolina is more than a professional opportunity—it’s a personal calling,” Coates said during her introductory press conference. “This is home for me. I grew up here, I matured here, and I became the player and woman I am today because of this program.”

Coates revealed that two personal reasons ultimately led to her return: the desire to be closer to family and a calling to mentor the next generation of players, especially young women navigating the pressures of high-level athletics.

“My parents have been my rock throughout my life and career,” Coates said. “After spending so many years on the road and overseas, it’s time I give back to them in the way they’ve always been there for me. Being close to them, and supporting them as they age, is something I no longer want to put off.”

The second reason, she explained, is rooted in purpose. “When I think about what I would have wanted as a player, it’s someone who had walked the road I was on. I want to be that for our players now. Someone who gets it, who can relate, and who can guide them through the challenges on and off the court.”

Coach Dawn Staley praised the hiring, calling Coates a “perfect fit” for the culture and future of the program. “Alaina understands what it takes to succeed here—not just the basketball, but the mindset, the discipline, and the heart. Our players will benefit from her wisdom, her presence, and her passion.”

As the Gamecocks continue to compete at the highest level of collegiate basketball, Coates’ return adds a deeply meaningful layer to the team’s future. It’s not just a new chapter for Coates—it’s a powerful reconnection with a program that helped shape her journey. And now, she’s ready to help shape the journeys of those who come after her.