Grand Canyon University has found its next women’s basketball head coach. And South Carolina’s legendary coach, Dawn Staley, could not be prouder. Winston Gandy served as an assistant coach on Staley’s staff for the Gamecocks.
Now, he has officially been named the new leader of the Lopes. Staley took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the hire, showcasing her confidence in Gandy’s abilities.
Dawn Staley Praises New GCU Head Coach Winston Gandy
“Congrats to our guy, Winston! Thank you so much for your experience in every aspect of coaching!! You are going to kill it. GCU, you got a great one!” Staley wrote on her X page.
She emphasized just how impactful Gandy was during his tenure at South Carolina. Gandy, who officially joined Staley’s team in 2023, was a crucial part of South Carolina’s coaching staff. He brought a unique blend of experience from both the collegiate and professional levels.
Before his time in Columbia, he spent several seasons as an assistant head coach for the Duke Blue Devils. That’s where he played an instrumental role in developing elite talent. Additionally, his three years of player development experience at the NBA level further strengthened his coaching acumen.
Now, he is set to take over at Grand Canyon University, filling the vacancy left by former head coach Molly Miller. Miller guided the program to an outstanding 32-3 record during the 2024-25 season before departing for the Arizona State head coaching position.
Gandy, who was officially introduced as Grand Canyon’s next head coach on Monday, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.
“I’m beyond honored and absolutely thrilled to be the head coach at Grand Canyon University,” Gandy said at his introductory press conference.
“Grand Canyon is a truly special place, and we will continue to show the world exactly what we’re about.”
A Coach With a Proven Track Record
Gandy steps into his new role with an impressive resume that includes a national championship in 2024, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and a WNIT berth. Under his guidance, South Carolina finished third in the nation in three-point shooting percentage.
Before officially taking over the Lopes, Gandy will remain with South Carolina for the remainder of their NCAA Tournament run. Staley has already acknowledged Gandy’s contributions to last year’s championship run.
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His departure marks a significant transition for both him and the South Carolina program.
With Gandy now at the helm, the Lopes will look to build upon their dominant 2024-25 campaign. The team is about to establish itself as a perennial force in women’s college basketball.
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