South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley has made plenty of fashion statements this season. While her team continues to take major strides this season, Staley’s fashion sense has also grabbed a few headlines.
The Gamecocks played the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament today. Staley’s team registered a comfortable 94-68 and advanced to the Elite Eight round, where they’ll face the TCU Horned Frogs on Monday.
Instead of her usual game day outfit, which consists of luxury brands, Staley was seen wearing a t-shirt with Raven Johnson’s face printed on it. Johnson has been an integral part and the leader of the Gamecocks since she joined in 2021.
Staley and Johnson have a deep, nurturing, and highly supportive relationship. The Gamecocks’ head coach often speaks highly of her and supports her in her on and off-court pursuits. After the game, Staley was asked about her Raven Johnson shirt.
She said that while they’re committed to winning games and titles for the program, she likes to strike the right balance between being serious and having fun while on the court.
“They are young people that have a lot on their plate. They have a lot of people coming at them, wanting things, they want things and I think how we operate at South Carolina is we just gotta prioritize and we’ve gotta compartmentalize,” Staley said.
The Gamecocks head coach said that there’s a place for everything in her program. She can laugh with her players in the middle of a practice and can also turn the switch and get serious when she needs to be.
Dawn Staley Prepares Her Players for Life
The objective for every coach in college sports is to not only shape great players but also great personalities. They have a greater responsibility because players find and develop their identity during that phase of their lives.
Staley understands that it’s up to her to lead with examples and help her players be the best version of themselves.
“Like, I want them to be who they are, you know? It’s not always [about] being serious. It’s not always [about] being in the gym. There’s a balance to everything we do. We just try to prepare them for life, and life isn’t just one-dimensional,” she said.
The Gamecocks are one of the strongest title contenders this season. If they win, it’ll be Staley’s fourth NCAA title with South Carolina and Johnson’s third.
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