Dawn Staley successfully maneuvered past Caitlin Clark on this occasion.
South Carolina’s dream of a perfect season came crashing down last year when they suffered a painful defeat against Clark in the Final Four. However, this year, led by their passionate and determined coach, Staley, the Gamecocks redeemed themselves with a resounding 87-75 victory over Iowa in the NCAA Championship on Sunday.
South Carolina (38-0) achieved something truly satisfying, as they joined the ranks of the ten teams in history to complete a perfect undefeated season. It wasn’t driven by a desire for revenge, but the accomplishment brought immense fulfillment to the team.
Staley’s victory in the national championship not only secured her second title in three years but also solidified her place among an elite group of coaches. With this win, she became only the fifth coach to accomplish the feat, joining the ranks of legendary figures such as Geno Auriemma with 11 titles, Pat Summitt with 8 titles, Kim Mulkey with 4 titles, and Tara VanDerveer with 3 titles.
In addition to that, Staley has joined an exclusive club consisting of Auriemma, Summitt, Mulkey, and Jody Conradt. They are the only coaches who have managed to remain undefeated.
It’s quite impressive for a former All-American guard who experienced three losses in the Final Four during their time at Virginia.
As the clock counted down its final seconds, Staley couldn’t contain her emotions any longer. Tears streamed down her face as a cascade of confetti rained down from above, blanketing the court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It was a moment she had eagerly anticipated since last April, and now it had finally arrived.
The 53-year-old Staley prefers not to label herself as a coach, but rather as a “dream merchant” whose purpose is to guide her players, both on and off the court.
She had her sights set on this title for this year’s team, but she also wanted it just as much for South Carolina’s beloved “Freshies” – Aliyah Boston, Brea Beal, Zia Cooke, Laeticia Amihere, and Olivia Thompson. They fell short last year against Clark, who scored 41 points in a 77-73 victory.
“It doesn’t always turn out the way you expect it to, just like last year,” Staley expressed. “But my freshmen hold a special place in my heart because they desired this victory. It’s incredible. It’s truly remarkable.”
Freshman guard Tessa Johnson came through for the Gamecocks as she scored a season-high 19 points, helping the team secure a victory. The AP’s Coach of the Year relied on Johnson’s impressive performance, especially after Clark, who had scored 30 points in the final, was effectively contained by the Gamecocks’ defense.
Staley showcased her fashion-forward style by donning a sleek silver jacket for the title game. In the semifinals, she had caught everyone’s attention with her head-to-toe Luis Vuitton ensemble. During the first half of the game, she could be seen with her hands tucked into her pants pockets, visibly frustrated as she voiced her concerns to the officials regarding some questionable fouls called against her team.
After halftime, she was finally able to relax as the Gamecocks started to dominate the game.
During her 16-year tenure at the school, Staley has transformed South Carolina from an underdog in the storied Southeastern Conference into a dominant force and the standard by which the women’s game is measured.
And she has achieved her goals in her own unique way.