Dawn Staley Signs Record $25M Contract Extension With South Carolina

South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley has secured her place in history with a groundbreaking contract extension that makes her the highest-paid women’s basketball coach in college sports.

An unprecedented deal valued at around $25 million was announced on Friday. The deal will continue until the 2029-30 season. The contract structure reflects Staley’s exceptional value to the program, starting at $4 million annually and increasing by $250,000 annually. South Carolina’s commitment to maintaining the powerhouse program under her leadership is demonstrated by the $500,000 signing bonus included in the package.

“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” said Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus.”

Staley’s performance justifies the historic investment. The Gamecocks have won six of the last nine Final Fours under her leadership, with an impressive streak of four consecutive appearances. Her leadership has produced three national championships for Columbia, including in 2017, 2022, and 2024, and the team is currently 17-1 and ranked second in the AP poll. Five Coach of the Year awards have been given to her for her achievements. Staley’s leadership has a far-reaching effect beyond just the court. For ten consecutive seasons in South Carolina, the program has been the top attendee in attendance, and this year saw the first sale of 13,152 season tickets, setting a significant milestone for the program. The news was celebrated by former players, including Aliyah Boston, who was a great South Carolina player.

“I think about what Coach Staley has done for women’s basketball and how much she just advocates for us,” Boston said, noting Staley’s investment in the sport through ventures like Unrivaled. “I’m so glad that it’s coming back for her. When you look at what she’s done for women’s basketball, just her ability to be a player’s coach, she’s played and won on every single level and then now she’s pouring into us.”

Staley attributed the program’s success to its collaborative nature.

“What we’ve been able to accomplish on the court is a testament to what can happen when you bring together the right people from a team perspective,” she said. “But also have the right commitment from the University, the Athletics Department and the community to providing that team with everything it needs to be successful.”

Staley sees her contract as more than just a personal achievement in the future.

“I look forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women’s basketball is one that will pay off for everyone,” she stated, highlighting the broader implications for the sport’s future. Staley’s remarkable achievements are recognized and a new standard is set for women’s basketball, which may lead to increased investment across the collegiate landscape.