Dawn Staley becomes highest paid WCBB HC after contract extension at South Carolina | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 12: South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley watches from the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NCAA women's basketball game against the Texas Longhorns at Colonial Life Arena on January 12, 2024 in Columbia, South Carolina. The South Carolina Gamecocks won 67-50. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Dawn Staley isn’t leaving South Carolina any time soon.

The university announced that the legendary women’s basketball coach signed a contract extension to remain with the program through 2030.

ESPN @esp

Breaking: Dawn Staley has signed a contract extension that will keep her at South Carolina through 2030, the school announced.
The new contract will make Staley the highest-paid women’s college basketball coach in the sport’s history. pic.twitter.com/ravIEluSQ1

South Carolina confirmed the deal is worth about $25 million, making Staley the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball.

Bryan Fischer @BryanDFischer

Dawn Staley’s new contract is worth approximately $25 million over the course of the deal. pic.twitter.com/qTXvXZ4GyF

“I am proud to represent the University of South Carolina and its investment in women’s basketball,” Staley said in the university’s release. “What we’ve been able to accomplish on the field is a testament to what can happen when you bring the right people together from a team perspective, but also have the right commitment from the university, the athletic department and the community to deliver it team. with all that it takes to be successful, I appreciate every person who has been a part of our journey – player, employee, university president, board member, athletic director, athletic department employee and fan looking forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women’s basketball is one that will pay off for everyone.”

Staley’s contract includes a $250,000 raise each season and a $500,000 signing bonus, making the total contract value worth $25.2 million.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey was the previous highest-paid coach at $3.264 million per season. Staley’s previous contract was worth $3.1 million per season, and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma also makes $3.1 million per season.

Staley has been South Carolina’s head coach since the 2008-09 season after starting his coaching career at Temple. With the Gamecocks, Staley has compiled a 457-107 overall record while leading the program to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, four Final Four appearances and three national championships.

The Gamecocks are the current defending champions and are off to a 17-1 start in the 2024-25 season. This contract will keep Staley in Columbia through 2029-30, and the Gamecocks will hope to continue their track record for excellence.