South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley once revealed her secret on how she holds her team together. Back in Aug. 2021, Staley was a guest on Dr. Michael Gervais’ “Finding Mastery” podcast on YouTube, in which she was asked about any techniques she may have for keeping her team’s synergy afloat.
Staley then revealed that for her, it’s as simple as having meaningful connections and conversations with her players. The 55-year-old even mentioned that her old point guard skills when she was still a professional women’s basketball player can be applied in these kinds of situations.
“It’s really simple. You have to force that relationship with each and every player, and you have to manage that. Whether it’s, and again, I go back to my point guard skills. I know I’m the coach, they know they’re the superstars, they know they’re the role players. So what I would do is, I would, it’s just communicating, it’s great conversations, “(57:12)
“You’ll figure out how they like to take in information because ultimately, you want them to be who they are while respecting the whole sanctity of the team. And, if you look at the whole evolution of a basketball season, the more you win, the tighter you get. ”
Currently, coach Staley is coming off a 2024-25 season with her Gamecocks in which they were dethroned by the UConn Huskies in the 2025 national championship game. South Carolina was pursuing back-to-back national titles, but ultimately lost to the eventual champions Huskies by 23 points, 82-59.
Dawn Staley used the 2020-21 Phoenix Suns as an example to hone in on her point
Later on her interview back in Aug. of 2021 on the Finding Mastery podcast, South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley used the 2020-21 Phoenix Suns as an example of her point on how to hold the team together. At that time, the Suns’ head coach Monty Williams was dealing with the loss of his wife when she passed away in a vehicular accident, while their starting point guard in Chris Paul, had not reached the NBA Finals yet in his long career.
“Look at the Phoenix Suns, they’re tight, they’re playing for a purpose, and that purpose is their coach, and the tragedy that he went through. They’re playing for a point guard that’s never been to an NBA Finals and never won a championship. They got a young star who is having the best playoff series of his career, and comparable to the other ones, the best than probably a long time being a young player,” Staley explained. (58:11)
“So, you look at that dynamic, then everybody else you see all the players that don’t even play, they’re in it,” she added.
The Suns went on to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Phoenix went as far as to go up 2-0 against the Milwaukee Bucks to be within two wins of the NBA Championship, but unfortunately dropped the next four games and was crowned with a runner-up finish.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
