Dawn Staley revealed how her players asked to borrow some cash from the South Carolina Gamecocks‘ head coach shortly after she became the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball history.
With three national championships in 17 years and a career win rate of .810 with the team, it’s no surprise as to why the front office was keen to keep the services of the 54-year-old, who has also led the team to three semifinals appearances too.
As a result, she will now rake home an annual salary of four million dollars from the start of the 2024/25 NCAA campaign along with a $500,000 signing bonus. Overall, the contract is worth $25.25 million and her players certainly know it.
“They asked to borrow a dollar,” Staley joked when asked how her players reacted. “I only give them information if they ask for it. And when they do, I just tell them what I told you.”
Staley takes her job seriously and understand the value of teaching her players life lessons too, making her a rounded mentor instead of purely a coach good at telling people how to shoot baskets.
Proud of her legacy in South Carolina, she also makes sure she tells her players to work hard and to stand up for what they deserve, warning them that money isn’t the be-all and end-all goal.
“There’s going to be a time in their lives where they’re going to feel like they’re doing a job and getting paid less, and they’ll have to handle those instances.”
Who do the Gamecocks play next?
The Gamecocks currently have a perfect record (5-0) in the Southeastern Conference and are 17-1 overall.
They are yet to lose at home and are also on a 12-game winning run after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide 76-58 on January 17.
They will next take on the Oklahoma Sooners at the Colonial Life Arena on Sunday, January 19. Tip-off is from 15:00 ET/12:00 PT.