Dawn Staley Reveals: She Would Accept Coaching the Knicks, Historic NBA Impact

South Carolina University women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley revealed that she would have accepted the offer to coach the New York Knicks if it had been proposed to her. Staley, who had a formal interview for the position, expressed her feelings on the “Post Moves” podcast with WNBA star Aliyah Boston and former player Candace Parker.

“I would have had to do it. Not just for me. For women. To open [that door],” Staley said.

Dawn Staley

The 55-year-old coach, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, has led the Gamecocks to three national championships. Staley also commented that she felt well-prepared and had a good interview with the Knicks.

However, on the podcast, Staley suggested that perhaps she hurt her chances by questioning Knicks executives about whether they had fully considered, and were prepared for, the impact that hiring the first full-time female coach in the NBA would have on the organization.

“How, if I were hired as the first female [head] coach in the NBA, would that impact your daily work? Because it will. You’re going to be asked questions that you don’t have to answer if you’re a male coach,” Staley said.

Dawn Staley

Staley added that after that question, she felt a change in the energy of the room, which led her to think that she had “shot herself in the foot” by being so inquisitive.

The Knicks finally hired Mike Brown in July to fill the head coaching vacancy. In addition to Staley, the Knicks interviewed Taylor Jenkins, James Borrego, and Micah Nori before hiring Brown.