BIRMINGHAM — While being back in Birmingham for the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley reflected on almost taking the Alabama job 20 years ago.
Back in 2005, Staley was an option for the Crimson Tide to replace Rick Moody who was retiring after 16 years leading Alabama. Back then the Tuscaloosa News’ Tommy Deas reported the Staley interviewed for the job.
Then Staley was with Temple and had a 103-41 record with hometown Owls. Three years later in 2008 she would take the South Carolina job where she has won three state titles including the 2024 title.
“I do remember Mal Moore, a great man. A great interview, he brought me to Alabama and took me around,” Staley said. “I like to feel being in a place and seeing myself in a place and once I got to Alabama, no offense, I just didn’t feel myself. I was so young, I’m from Philly and I didn’t have an appreciation for the south at that point. Just to young and dumb to realize it. But I enjoyed the people, when you can’t see in a place, it really is the people that allow you to kind of, I think that was a non-negotiable, I would probably have to rethink that non-negotiable because of the people.”
Staley was still playing in the WNBA, playing for the Charlotte Sting at the time when Alabama was looking. She was in the middle of a playing career that included three Olympic Gold Medals with Team USA and two All-American honors with Virginia.
Alabama would go on to hire Stephany Smith who finished in the last place in the SEC in two of her seasons. Wendell Hudson followed before Alabama hired Kristy Curry in 2013 and who has now led the Crimson Tide to four of the last five NCAA Tournaments.
Calls for Dawn Staley investigation mount after treatment of NCAA officials
Fans are accusing Dawn Staley, one of the most prominent figures in college basketball, and South Carolina of being on the receiving end of favorable calls in March Madness
Fans are calling for Dawn Staley and South Carolina to be investigated by the NCAA after receiving favorable calls in March Madness.
On Sunday, South Carolina won 54-50 versus No. 2 Duke to advance to the Final Four. The reigning champions were inspired to victory by 14 points from Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin, who put up 12 points along with a game-high eight rebounds.
The result means the Gamecocks have reached the Final Four stage of March Madness for the fifth successive season. However, some fans are beginning to buy into the notion that Staley’s team is being favored by officials.
After South Carolina advanced beyond the Sweet 16, Maryland head coach Brenda Frese lamented some of the referees’ decisions. She said: “We just, for whatever reason, weren’t able to get to the free throw line, and that’s a big piece of who we are.”
In the Elite Eight, Duke was called for 18 fouls compared to South Carolina’s 13, but the Blue Devils attempted just 13 free throws versus the Gamecocks’ 20. This is an intriguing stat, as the numbers don’t particularly add up – and fans took to social media to call out the perceived favoritism displayed toward Staley and South Carolina.
“There needs to be an investigation into these refs at the NCAA,” one fan posted on X. “I am watching Dawn Staley comfortable coming on the floor, scolding the ref, and her team is fouling the shit out of people now and no whistles. A girl was ran over from behind – no whistle.”
“What problem does Dawn Staley have with the refs?? They been a lil friendly to South Carolina so far lol,” posted another. But one fan identified a particularly odd call, writing: “A questionable foul called on Duke forward Jadyn Donovan, and Kara Lawson is not happy with the referees.”
The controversial call on Donovan was a significant moment; it left her limited by foul trouble, affecting her ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. It’s no wonder Duke head coach Kara Lawson was frustrated.
Earlier in the tournament, Staley addressed officiating concerns but she gave a fairly diplomatic answer. She said: “The officials have a hard job. They have a really hard job. I don’t have thick enough skin to do their job. The animation was probably more us having a jokingly conversation rather than a heated conversation.
“They’re really good at just communicating out there on the floor, and that’s why they’re officiating in the Sweet 16, and probably some of them on their way to the Final Four, because they’re able to handle those types of situations, communicate with the coaches, in a way that really deescalates the situation.”
Ultimately, the No. 1 Gamecocks got the job done as they chase a repeat championship. South Carolina faces Texas in the Final Four on Friday, April 4.
