In a full-circle moment for the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball program, Susan Walvius is headed back to the Gamecocks — not as head coach, but as Senior Director of Women’s Basketball External Affairs, a newly created role designed to bridge business and basketball.

Walvius coached the Gamecocks from 1997 to 2008, becoming a foundational figure in the program’s early years. During that time, she led South Carolina to its first-ever Elite Eight appearance in 2002. After stepping away from coaching, she co-founded SHEEX, Inc., a performance-fabric bedding and sleepwear company, serving as co-CEO and driving key product, brand, and growth strategies.

Bringing Business Savvy to the Court

Walvius’s return in November 2025 marks a shift from the hardwood to the boardroom, where she’ll lead efforts to grow revenue and maximize NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities for current student-athletes. According to her bio on the USC Athletics website, she’ll design a comprehensive NIL strategy, establish an equitable revenue-sharing structure, and analyze emerging NIL business trends.

Her combination of coaching experience and entrepreneurial success is seen as a perfect match for the program’s evolving ambitions. Head coach Dawn Staley praised her business acumen and long-standing connections to the Columbia community and national enterprises, saying Walvius is “well-positioned to lead the expansion of NIL opportunities for our student-athletes.”

Legacy and Leadership

Walvius’s coaching tenure at USC was notable not only for its wins and losses but for helping to lay cultural foundations. In the 2001–02 season, her squad went 25–7 and reached the Elite Eight — a milestone in school history. She resigned in 2008 with a cumulative record of 165–160 over 11 seasons.

Her business leadership at SHEEX was just as impactful. She helped the company secure tens of millions in equity capital, built retail partnerships, and led global innovation efforts — including securing dozens of patents across multiple countries.

Mentorship, Education & Athlete Support

In her new role, Walvius is expected to work closely with student-athletes beyond just financial deals. Her responsibilities will include workshops on financial literacy, contract negotiation, and brand management. Given her background, she’s uniquely qualified to mentor athletes on both the business and athletic sides of their careers.

A Homecoming with Purpose

This return to Columbia is deeply personal for Walvius. USC is where she built her coaching identity, and now she brings back hard-earned business grit — ready to shape the next generation of Gamecock women not just on the court, but in life. As Staley noted, this is more than a reunion: it’s a strategic move to “lead the expansion of NIL opportunities” and cement a lasting legacy.