South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley has lately been getting swamped with questions regarding rumors of an NBA head coaching job. As per COMPLEX on Instagram (Friday, June 27), the New York Knicks have contacted Staley as a potential prospect for their head coaching position after they sacked Tom Thibodeau on June 2.
Thibodeau’s firing came as a surprise to many in the basketball world, especially since the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals this year for the first time since 2000 under the tutelage of Thibodeau. After several failed attempts at contacting head coaches of other NBA teams, such as Atlanta Hawks’ Quin Snyder, New York is now believed to be considering Staley, who is one of the best college basketball coaches ever.
However, in her X post from Sunday, June 29, Staley replied to a fan who was wondering whether the 55-year-old ever visits the city of Atlanta. This was because earlier in the day, Staley revealed that she was in San Francisco for the nationwide tour of her new book, “Uncommon Favor.”
Yes when I can. When I can’t my season tickets are filled with Gamecocks!!! What else you that’s that’s so funny so I can lmbo too? https://t.co/tUe7Bsb29h
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) June 29, 2025
College basketball fans then questioned the three-time national champion coach over the rumors regarding the New York Knicks contacting her for their vacant head coaching job.
“Are you taking that job, coach?,” one fan asked on X.
“Waiting on your return Coach!!,” another fan said.
“Coach clearrrred,” a fan wrote.
Many other users on X, especially the Gamecocks faithful, were ecstatic over Staley potentially visiting Atlanta to presumably support her former players who currently play for the Atlanta Dream, such as Allisha Gray and Te-Hina Paopao, and market her new book.
“Plz come to ATL, I will be first in line,” one fan asserted.
“They don’t know you SUPPORT ALL YOUR FORMER PLAYERS,” another fan exclaimed.
“Say it!! Let me find a game to watch,” another user posted.
“Coach, can you let us know next time you coming so I can pull up! I won’t tell nobody,” a fan shared with an emoji.
Staley’s Gamecocks were dethroned by the UConn Huskies in the national championship game, 82-59, in the 2024-25 season.
NBA has Never had a Female Head Coach; All Eyes on Dawn Staley
In its long history, the NBA has never seen a female head coach. If Dawn Staley joins the Knicks, she’d be the first.
The closest that any female has ever come to the position is in an acting head coaching role. Current Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon did so briefly in 2020 for the San Antonio Spurs after NBA legend Gregg Popovich was ejected. Hammon was an assistant coach at the time.
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