“Bad behavior, you gotta slap their wrists”: When Dawn Staley got candid about keeping a balance with student athletes
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley once revealed how she goes about her balancing of praising and correcting her players on and off the court. She appeared on the Breakfast Club radio show in April 2022 to talk all things basketball and was asked how she talks to her players and if it's any different from the way it was when she was growing up.
She gave an incredibly candid answer, admitting that she gets upset and gets angry at her players if they make mistakes, but she also said she does the opposite when they do well.
"I myself... I fuss, I cuss, you know." Staley said. "But I balance it... That can't be all who you are, like, I balance it, like, if they mess up in practice—I'm fussing and cussing. If they do something great—I'm chest-bumping and high-fiving and doing all of that." (Timestamp: 24:14)
"It's very much like raising a kid. If there's good behavior, you know that you have to... let your kid know, and if there's bad behavior... you gotta slap their wrists and tell them no, don't do that." (Timestamp: 24:36)
Dawn Staley values respect and communication in her squad
Although she does get upset sometimes, Staley pointed out that she's only able to be like that because there's respect on both ends that has been earned over time. She also makes it a point to communicate with significant people in their lives.
"We're at a place where our players, they respect me and I respect them. They allow me to be my authentic self. All coaches can't do that, they really can't. You gotta watch what you say and watch what you do.
"But what I do is I communicate with our parents and everybody that has a significant part in our player's lives. Boyfriends, girlfriends, or whatever, I'm talking to them. You can't shield yourself off from the people... that play a significant role in their lives."
It's no wonder the Gamecocks are so in sync on the court. They're being coached by one of the best off the court. Staley and the defending champions are back in action after Christmas when they take on Wofford on Sunday, Dec. 29.