For nearly a decade and a half, Dawn Staley has been a dominant force in women's college basketball, steering the South Carolina Gamecocks to multiple national championships. Now, the coaching carousel in the NBA might just spin her way. Following the Dallas Mavericks' decision to part ways with head coach Jason Kidd earlier this week—a move that came after a predictable decline post the infamous Luka Dončić trade—Staley's name has surfaced as a potential candidate for the vacancy.
An anonymous NBA executive told The Athletic's Christian Clark that they wouldn't be shocked if the Mavs request an interview with Staley. The team is expected to cast a wide net as they look to develop rising star Cooper Flagg, and while the full list of candidates remains under wraps, Staley's inclusion would be a headline-grabber.
This isn't Staley's first brush with the NBA. Last year, she had a formal interview with the New York Knicks for their head coaching position, though she wasn't a finalist—the job eventually went to Mike Brown. In August, Staley revealed she would have accepted the Knicks offer if it had come, but she also admitted that her approach might have given NBA teams pause. She reportedly asked them how they'd handle the inevitable media scrutiny of hiring a woman as head coach, a question that may have made some executives uneasy.
The man leading the Mavericks' search is Masai Ujiri, the newly hired president of basketball operations. Ujiri brings a stellar resume, having won an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and an Executive of the Year award in 2013. Interestingly, he's also a part-owner of the WNBA's Toronto Tempo, signaling a genuine appreciation for women's basketball. Whether that translates into a groundbreaking hire in Dallas remains to be seen, but Ujiri's track record suggests he's not afraid to think outside the box.
Staley's potential candidacy adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing conversation about racial barriers in coaching across professional sports. While the NFL and college football have faced criticism for a lack of diversity in head coaching ranks, the NBA has been more progressive, yet women remain a rarity in top leadership roles. Staley's name entering the mix could signal a shift in how teams evaluate talent.
Of course, Staley's primary focus has been on the college game, where she's built a dynasty. But her willingness to explore NBA opportunities—and her candidness about the challenges—shows a coach unafraid to break new ground. As the Mavericks begin their search, all eyes will be on whether Ujiri makes history by giving Staley a serious look.
For now, it's a waiting game. But one thing is clear: Dawn Staley's name is no longer just a whisper in NBA circles. It's a full-blown conversation starter.
