South Carolina’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley Says No NBA Team Is Ready For A Female Coach

Dawn Staley

South Carolina’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley Says No NBA Team Is Ready For A Female Coach

Is it time for the NBA to finally hire a female head coach?

According to South Carolina women’s basketball coach #DawnStaley, the league is still not fully prepared for that milestone. Speaking with Craig Melvin on the latest episode of his Glass Half Full podcast, Dawn revisited her 2025 interview with the New York Knicks during their head coaching search, a job that ultimately went to former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown.

Dawn, who has previously addressed not landing the position, was direct in her assessment: “No NBA team is ready for a female coach right now. Not one.” She went on to explain why she feels that way, pointing to the broader cultural adjustment she believes would be required. “Culturally, you have to prepare for it.” Dawn also said it was a topic she raised during her interview with the #Knicks, recalling that she asked, “How would you hiring me impact your job on a daily basis?”

Even while expressing skepticism about the current timing, Dawn made clear she hopes the landscape shifts in the near future. “I’m putting it out there so #NBA franchises can get ready for a female coach. I might not be the one, but I’m letting people know that you have to prepare if you’re going to hire a female coach,” she added.

TJBCrew, what do you think?