It’s one of those mornings where you can practically taste the desert dust in the air—Nevada sun blazing, sky so blue it makes your eyes squint, and way out there, mountains just melting into the horizon. Dawn Staley’s got her sunglasses on, all business, but you can still see that “nothing gets past me” look. The same look, by the way, that’s taken teams to championships and dragged them through heartbreak too. She misses nothing—on the court, off the court, you name it.
At the Women’s Health Fall cover shoot, she’s basically running the show without even trying. There’s this quiet strength about her, you know? She’s rocking a white sweatsuit—simple, bold, kinda queen-like, honestly—and a whole bunch of beaded bracelets stacked up her arm. Gifts from fans, a lot of them kids fighting stuff no one should have to fight. She doesn’t take those off until they fall apart. “Keeps me real,” she says, spinning that whistle she’s always got hanging around her neck.
A Career That’s Always Moving
Let’s be real—Staley’s coaching record? Wild.
- Three NCAA national titles (2017, 2022, 2024)
- Seven trips to the Final Four
- Just signed a deal that made her the highest-paid coach in women’s college hoops
But if you ask her, it ain’t just about the hardware. She’s allergic to standing still.
“Can’t coach the same way forever. Gotta switch it up when the times change,” she says. “Doesn’t mean you lower your standards—just gotta tweak how you get the message across. I’m not the same coach I was at Temple, not even close.”
That’s how she’s built a vibe where players feel seen, not just coached. She’s not just checking up on her athletes—she’s watching their families, their friends, their whole crew. “When everyone’s in sync, moving in the same direction? That’s when the magic happens.”
NIL Shakes Up Everything
This whole NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) situation? Total gamechanger. Staley’s not blind to the perks, but she’s also not all sunshine and roses about it.
“NIL’s cool. Players can finally cash in on their hustle,” she says. “But honestly? In my dream world, it’s just part of the college ride—it doesn’t take over the whole experience.”
She’s still scouting for players who care about more than Instagram followers or shoe deals. “I want women who are about community, school, growth—all of it. And, yeah, winning too. Duh.”
Wanna dive into NIL drama? Here’s the NCAA’s breakdown.
Self-Care Isn’t Optional
Look, when you’re pouring everything into your team, you better learn balance or you’re toast. Staley’s got her rituals—morning walks, massages, stretching, facials. Not fancy stuff. Just survival.
“Those moments? That’s when I hit reset,” she says. “If I don’t look after myself, I’m useless to my players.”
She’s not just preaching it, either. She drills into her team: take care of your mind like you do your jumper. Discipline, knowing yourself, and not being afraid to say, “Hey, I need a break.”
Off the Court, Still Making Noise
Staley’s not just a coach; she’s a straight-up force. She’s out here demanding more for women’s sports, period. “Everyone wants to watch now. Maybe it’s time the money and resources caught up,” she says.
This year, she dropped a memoir—Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three. Writing it? “Wild, scary, freeing,” in her words. It’s Philly grit, basketball wisdom, and a whole bunch of life lessons packed in between.
Still Dreaming Forward
Funny thing: coaching wasn’t even on her bingo card. But here she is, 25 years later, basically rewriting the rules. “I just follow my gut and God,” she shrugs, asked about what’s next.
She’s already sent 18 players to the WNBA. Not done yet, though. “I wanna be the person who sells dreams,” she says—helping young women chase after stuff they never thought possible.
If you wanna understand her in a sentence, it’s this: “The disciplined person can do anything.”
That’s Dawn Staley. Fierce, flexible, and never stops hustling for the next dream.
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