Dawn Staley Reveals: She Would Accept to Coach the Knicks for a Big Reason

Dawn Staley Reveals Details of Her Interview to Coach the Knicks

The renowned women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley, shared details about her interview for the head coaching position of the New York Knicks. In a conversation on the “Post Moves” podcast, Staley revealed that, had she received the offer, she would have accepted it.

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

Staley, who currently coaches the University of South Carolina women’s team, explained that the opportunity to coach the Knicks was significant, especially because of the importance of breaking barriers for women in basketball. The coach, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and with three national championships to her name, also mentioned that the interview with the Knicks was exhaustive. However, she speculated that her own questions about how the team would adapt to having a female head coach might have affected her chances. Staley reflected on how being the first full-time female coach in the NBA would entail additional challenges for the organization, including increased media attention and questions that would not be asked of male coaches.

“How, if I were hired as the first female [head] coach in the NBA, would it impact their daily work? Because it would,” Staley said, referring to her interview with the Knicks.
Dawn Staley

Finally, the Knicks chose to hire Mike Brown as their head coach. In addition to Staley, the team interviewed other candidates, including Taylor Jenkins, James Borrego, and Micah Nori, before making their decision.