In a groundbreaking moment for women’s college basketball, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has signed a historic contract extension that cements her as the highest-paid coach in the sport’s collegiate history. The University of South Carolina announced Friday that Staley’s new deal is worth approximately $25 million, setting a new benchmark in the realm of women’s athletics.
Staley’s extension will keep her at the helm of the Gamecocks through the 2029–2030 season, with her salary beginning at $4 million annually and increasing by $250,000 each year. In addition to the escalating salary, the new contract includes a $500,000 signing bonus, underscoring the university’s deep commitment to keeping one of the sport’s most iconic figures in Columbia for the foreseeable future.
“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” said South Carolina athletics director Jeremiah Donati. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus, and I am excited that she will be representing our University for many years to come.”
The impact Staley has had on South Carolina’s program — and women’s basketball as a whole — is nothing short of transformative. Since taking the reins, she has guided the Gamecocks to six Final Four appearances in the last nine seasons, including each of the last four. Under her leadership, South Carolina has claimed three national championships in 2017, 2022, and 2024, becoming one of the most dominant programs in modern NCAA history.
The team currently boasts an impressive 17-1 record and is ranked second in the AP poll, signaling that Staley’s influence continues to drive excellence on the court. Her leadership and strategic acumen have earned her five Coach of the Year honors, further solidifying her place among the elite in college basketball coaching.
In response to the extension, Staley reflected on what the achievement means beyond just numbers: “What we’ve been able to accomplish on the court is a testament to what can happen when you bring together the right people from a team perspective,” she said. “But it’s also about having the right commitment from the University, the Athletics Department, and the community to provide that team with everything it needs to be successful.”
Staley’s new contract not only rewards her for past success but also symbolizes the rising value and recognition of women’s sports on a national level. It’s a milestone that speaks volumes about progress and investment in women’s athletics — and one that may set a precedent for future contracts across the NCAA.