"There are ongoing conversations": South Carolina AD hints at Dawn Staley's contract extension amid ongoing negotiations
Dawn Staley made NCAA history with her undefeated (38-0) championship run last season. However, the contract she currently leads the South Carolina Gamecocks under came in 2021. '
Staley has won the program multiple titles since then (2022 & 2024) but is waiting for a renewed contract. And in the latest update from the University of South Carolina’s athletic director, Ray Tanner, the negotiations have already started.
“I would tell you that certainly as you would guess there are ongoing conversations about a new contract,” Tanner said on 107.5 The Game on Thursday.
One of the main reasons behind the due extension has been Dawn Staley’s busy schedule. Ever since cutting the nets in the Rocket Mortgage Field House, Staley has been traveling during the off-season.
Alongside her scouting and recruitment efforts, she was cheering for American athletes at the Olympics and rooting for the Democratic National Convention throughout their campaign.
The Gamecocks are nearing their regular practice sessions. A deal might take place before she begins forming a new culture.
Dawn Staley is signed to the Gamecocks until the 2027–28 season and is due to enter her fourth year on a $22.4 million contract. Her most recent championship run earned her $3.78 million (compensation of $2.1 million and bonuses of $680,000, in addition to $1 million in basic salary).
Staley is currently tied with Geno Auriemma as the second-highest-paid coach. Her new contract is expected to surpass the UConn Huskies coach's salary. It remains to be seen if the Gamecocks will surpass Kim Mulkey's 10-year, $36 million extension with LSU to make Staley the highest-paid coach in women's basketball.
Dawn Staley's schedule forces her to look for non-conference games on X
Staley's strenuous schedule kept her on the run throughout the off-season, keeping her away from solidifying a non-conference schedule for the Gamecocks. As a fix, she took to X requesting a home-and-home game.
"Really sorry I have to resort to this but-we need a game. I’ve had some nice, funny and outlandish convos regarding scheduling a game H/H with a guarantee and guaranteed a great student-athlete experience🥰-any interest please let me know. Need to finish this schedule🙏🏾," she wrote on X on August 10.
The Gamecocks’ current non-conference schedule poses them against Michigan on November 4 (in Las Vegas) alongside five other matchups.
A total of five games come in December, including a matchup against Duke and TCU within four days. Their only 2025 non-conference game is against UConn Huskies in February.