The New York Knicks are reportedly considering Dawn Staley among several head coaching candidates, and could offer her a mammoth salary months after she signed a record deal
21:28 ET, 28 Jun 2025Updated 21:28 ET, 28 Jun 2025
Dawn Staley’s salary could increase significantly if she is hired by the New York Knicks(Image: Getty Images)
South Carolina made Dawn Staley the highest-paid coach in the history of women’s college basketball earlier this year, but her salary could be dwarfed if the New York Knicks hire her.
According to a report by Knicks Fan TV, Staley has been interviewed for the vacant head coaching role as the NBA organization continues to consider top candidates ahead of next season. The Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau after New York lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
Thibodeau signed a three-year extension with the Knicks that was set to start next season, worth a reported $11 million annually. The extension would have ranked Thibodeau tied for sixth among the highest-paid NBA coaches, but even the median salary smashes Staley’s current terms.
READ MORE: Scottie Scheffler shows true colors after Justin Thomas’ comments about himREAD MORE: Tiger Woods’ son Charlie’s ‘I’m broke’ claim as true net worth clear after trust fund revelation
Staley is a highly respected basketball coach who has been with South Carolina since 2008. The Hall of Famer was also a six-time WNBA All-Star, but her three national titles with the Gamecocks rank her as one of the top college basketball coaches in the country.
South Carolina went undefeated in 2023-24 and reached the national championship last season. However, UConn steamrolled the Gamecocks in the finale, as Paige Bueckers finally tasted success before going first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Staley was shown a lot of faith by South Carolina, as she signed through the 2029-30 season on record terms. The $25 million package will initially see Staley earn $4 million per year, with a $250,000 annual escalator and $500,000 signing bonus.
Staley agreed to record terms with South Carolina in January(Image: Getty)
The school is convinced Staley will honor her extension and further her legacy with the Gamecocks, but the Knicks could test her loyalty. In addition to the significant salary increase, Staley could become the first woman to lead an NBA team permanently. Becky Hammon took over as acting head coach after Gregg Popovich was ejected for the San Antonio Spurs in 2020.
“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” athletics director Jeremiah Donati said in a statement on Jan. 17. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus and I am excited that she will be representing our University for many years to come.”
Staley, a five-time Coach of the Year, added: “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. 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.”
Aliyah Boston remains very close with Staley (Image: Getty Images)
Former Gamecocks star Aliyah Boston also spoke out about Staley’s extension after graduating in 2023. Boston won the national championship with Staley in 2022 and now plays alongside Caitlin Clark for the Indiana Fever.
“I think about what coach Staley has done for women’s basketball and how much she just advocates for us,” Boston said. “Especially for one, being an investor in Unrivaled you see how much she puts into the sport.
“And so I’m so glad that it’s coming back for her. I think 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.”
The Knicks were beaten in six games by the Pacers, who went on to lose against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. The next Knicks head coach is expected to be tasked with contending for a championship.