COLUMBIA, SC — In a stunning development that could reshape the future of women’s college basketball, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has reportedly asked her longtime best friend and WNBA legend Diana Taurasi to take the reins of the Gamecocks program following her expected departure at the end of the upcoming season.
Staley, who has led the University of South Carolina to two national championships and built one of the most dominant programs in the country, is rumored to be stepping down due to personal reasons and a desire to pursue new challenges, including potential roles in NBA coaching or front office work.
The emotional decision to leave the Gamecocks was made easier, insiders say, because of Staley’s confidence in the woman she hopes will succeed her: Diana Taurasi.
“Diana is the only person I trust with what we’ve built here,” Staley reportedly told close staff members earlier this week. “She knows the game, she knows the culture, and she knows what it means to lead with passion and purpose.”
Taurasi, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, has never held a coaching position at the collegiate or professional level. However, her basketball IQ, fierce competitiveness, and deep bond with Staley make her a compelling—and unconventional—candidate for the high-profile role.
The two women forged their friendship over two decades ago as teammates on Team USA, winning Olympic gold medals and forming one of the most enduring partnerships in women’s basketball history. Their bond, rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision for growing the game, has remained strong ever since.
While Taurasi has yet to publicly comment on the offer, sources close to her say she is “deeply honored” and is seriously considering the opportunity, even as she wraps up what could be her final season with the Phoenix Mercury.
“She’s not your typical coaching candidate, but Diana’s presence alone commands respect,” said one former teammate. “If anyone can follow in Dawn’s footsteps, it’s her.”
University of South Carolina officials have declined to comment on any potential coaching transition, but a formal announcement from Staley is expected by the end of the summer.
Staley’s legacy at South Carolina is unquestioned. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks became a national powerhouse, producing WNBA stars, filling arenas, and breaking barriers in women’s sports. Handing the torch to Taurasi would mark not just the end of an era—but the beginning of an exciting, if unexpected, new chapter.
Should Taurasi accept, it would be one of the boldest coaching hires in NCAA history—fusing friendship, legacy, and greatness in a way only women’s basketball could.
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