Women Coaches Breaking Barriers in NCAA Women’s Basketball

Many women head coaches at the NCAA collegiate level are making a big impact not only for their players, but for themselves as well. Currently at the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball level, women hold 42% of the head coaching positions. At Division II, they hold roughly 35.6% coaching positions, and in Division III, they hold 41.2% coaching positions. One of the top coaches is Dawn Staley, who coaches at South Carolina.

In 2008, Staley became the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks with the desire to turn the program around. Before Staley became the head coach, the year prior, the Gamecocks accumulated 16 wins and 15 losses. Once Staley took over, the Gamecocks ended with 10 wins and 18 losses, with only two wins and 12 losses in conference play. However, in 16 years, the Gamecocks no longer remained near the middle or the end, but almost came out on top under coach Staley.

In 2024, under coach Staley’s leadership, the Gamecocks started off with a 43-game winning streak. Yet, they weren’t unbeatable; the UCLA Bruins broke their winning streak. Even though this streak came to an end, it was the longest winning streak that the South Carolina Gamecocks had in their history. After this loss, the Gamecocks still came out thriving by making it to the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Game against the UConn Huskies.

With the help and guidance from coach Staley, the Gamecocks made three appearances in the NCAA National Championship Game. In 2017, the Gamecocks played against the Mississippi State Bulldogs and won their first-ever national championship. Continuing to the year 2022, the Gamecocks played the Huskies and won another national championship. Then in 2025, the Gamecocks played the Huskies once again but lost. 

Throughout the years, not only did coach Staley guide the players to the championship game, but he also helped them make seven Final Four appearances. Coach Staley’s style focuses on player development, leadership, and established habits. It is known that coach Staley is a dynamic individual with the ability to motivate her players and is able to foster a culture of trust and composure. Not only does she have the ability to increase her players' talents, but she also communicates thoroughly to build trust within the program. Overall, coach Staley is considered one of the best women's coaches in the NCAA, which is noted due to her having a 75% winning percentage.