PHOTOS: Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team indulges in “beach day” fun during college basketball offseason
Between Dawn Staley's visit to the Peach Jam and the WNBA All-Star event, her South Carolina players went on a beach day. However, this one was not a trip to feel the summer breeze or to sip mimosas on a picnic.
The Gamecocks players participated in multiple strength training and endurance activities on the sand. The programs posted a few glimpses from the team's day out to highlight their performance director, Molly Binetti's unique idea.
On the player development front, Staley's players have earned more than 20 All-America selections, seven SEC Player of the Year honors, eight conference Defensive Player of the Year awards and six SEC Freshman of the Year trophies. Moreover, she has produced 15 WNBA-caliber players in the last two decades.
Apart from being regarded as one of the best coaches on the college circuit, Dawn Staley is a longtime advocate for promoting women’s sports.
Staley has been with the Gamecocks since 2008 and has won 3 NCAA titles in the last 7 years.
Her body of work includes five National Coach of the Year awards (2014, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024), seven SEC coaching honors and being the program’s all-time winningest coach.
Dawn Staley's coaching fandom transitions beyond basketball
A significant aspect of Dawn Staley’s 2024 championship run was that her roster did not feature an offensive leader. Her team stormed through the NCAA tourney purely on teamwork. It is one of the elements that has made Staley a constant source of inspiration for South Carolina Gamecocks football coach Shane Beamer.
Beamer invited the basketball coach to talk with his 2024 football roster during one of their spring practice in April for the 2024 Garnet & Black Spring Game. He then returned the favor by traveling to Cleveland and cheering the Gamecocks in the finals.
Moreover, during the 2024 SEC Media Days in Dallas, Beamer claimed that many players during the program’s football recruitment requested to meet the championship coach. He shared that Staley managed to meet with 8 freshmen and has also visited his house to fulfill young athletes' requests.