Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks won 85-48 against the Ole Miss Rebels yesterday. This was the 27th overall win for Staley’s team and the eighth in a row. They’re the number one seed in the SC with a 13-1 conference record.
The Gamecocks are still unbeaten at home this season after 15 games. They have one more home game left in the regular season, against the Missouri Tigers, so that record is likely going to stay the same.
Staley has managed to put up another stellar season with the Gamecocks, winning her fifth consecutive regular-season championship, and she’s getting all the praise she deserves for this run. She is also among the frontrunners for several Coach of the Year honors.
During a recent appearance on SEC Network, Steffi Sorensen stated that Staley deserves to win the SEC Coach of the Year. Sorensen explained why Staley should be the recipient of the honor this year.
“I think Dawn has done a tremendous job this year. I think for her, Coach of the Year,” she said. “She’s had to navigate Chloe Kitts going out, no Ashlyn Watkins, injuries throughout the year, and the year that this league has been, it’s pretty incredible. I think she’s done a great job.”
Staley has had some star players on her roster, but this year, Madina Okot has been a revelation for the South Carolina Gamecocks. She is currently averaging a double-double, 13.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, while shooting nearly 60% from the field.
Staley has won the SEC Coach of the Year title seven times. She has a strong case for adding the eighth title to her tally.
Dawn Staley is on the 2026 Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List
Staley is a four-time recipient of the Naismith Coach of the Year honor. She won the award in 2020 for the first time and then three years in a row from 2022 to 2024. She is on the watch list for the award this year as well.
There is more competition in the Naismith Coach of the Year race. Geno Auriemma with an unbeaten UConn Huskies is also on the watch list.
| Name | School | Conference |
| Geno Auriemma | UCONN | BIG EAST |
| Jennie Baranczyk | Oklahoma | SEC |
| Kim Barnes Arico | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Carla Berube | Princeton | Ivy |
| Cori Close | UCLA | Big Ten |
| Krista Gerlich | Texas Tech | Big 12 |
| Jan Jensen | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Kara Lawson | Duke | ACC |
| Kevin McGuff | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| Kim Mulkey | LSU | SEC |
| Shea Ralph | Vanderbilt | SEC |
| Tammi Reiss | Rhode Island | Atlantic 10 |
| Vic Schaefer | Texas | SEC |
| Dawn Staley | South Carolina | SEC |
| Jeff Walz | Louisville | ACC |
Read More:
Tessa Johnson Earns Praise as Fan Clip Shows Dominant Gamecocks Win Doesn’t Stop Extra Effort
Azzi Fudd, Napheesa Collier Overlook Sue Bird And More for UConn Legend in One vs One Matchup
MiLaysia Fulwiley’s Mom’s Alleged Fuming Reaction Goes Viral After LSU’s Loss to Gamecocks
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