THE New York Knicks are on the hunt for a new head coach, and conducted a historic interview in the process.
Dawn Staley, the legendary coach of the South Carolina women’s basketball team, talked with the Knicks about the team’s open job.
Dawn Staley spoke to the New York Knicks about their vacant coaching position[/caption]
Staley is a three-time national champion with South Carolina[/caption]
It hasn’t been confirmed if it was a formal interview, but the New York Post confirmed that the Knicks did speak with Staley.
Staley has been an NBA candidate before — she met with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021 before the job ultimately went to Chauncey Billups.
It was further confirmed that the Knicks spoke to Staley when South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati confirmed the Knicks reached out in a comment to On3.
“If I were them, I would have called her too,” he said.
Staley is in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, but has built just as impressive of a resume as a coach.
She has won three national titles as the South Carolina head coach since taking over in the 2008-09 season.
Earlier this year, she resigned with the school through the 2029-20 season.
“I appreciate every person who has been part of our journey – player, staff member, University President and leadership, Board of Trustee member, athletics director, athletics department employee and fan,” she said in a statement.
“I look forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women’s basketball is one that will pay off for everyone.”
While Staley isn’t expected to be a finalist, she reportedly impressed the Knicks during their conversation.
“During this process, the Knicks also reached out to South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, league sources told The Athletic.
“And while she impressed in that conversation, she is currently not considered a finalist for the position, league sources said,” James Edwards reported.
The Knicks have formally interviewed four candidates for their open head coaching position.
Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, Micah Nori, and James Borrego are all options to take over the team.
Brown is the first of the candidates to come back for a second interview with the Knicks.
Who is Dawn Staley?
Dawn Staley is a legendary women’s basketball player and coach.
She attended the University of Virginia where she led the team to four NCAA Tournament appearances, three Final Fours, and one championship game.
Staley was the 1991 and 1992 National Player of the Year and finished her career as the NCAA record holder for most career steals (which has since been broken). After graduating college, Staley played in Europe in 1994 and 1995 before joining the ABL and then the WNBA.
She was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in he WNBA by the Charlotte Sting in 1999. She was traded to the Houston Comets in 2005 and retired following that season as a five-time All-Star. She is now in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
During her playing career, Staley played for Team USA, where she won three Olympic Gold Medals and two World Cups.
Staley began coaching in 2000, when she coached the Temple Owls while still playing in the WNBA. She coached the Owls until 2008 when she moved to South Carolina, where she is still coaching today.
NBA fans are talking more about Staley though, and shared their thoughts about her interview on social media.
“I like this idea. Dawn Staley knows basketball and she don’t put up with any crap,” one fan said.
“She’s the greatest women’s college basketball coach of all time. Don’t know how well that’ll translate to the NBA,” another fan said.
“I speak for EVERY Knicks fan when I say we should hire Dawn Staley,” a third fan said.
“If the players respect her like any other coach, she has an opportunity to be good,” a fourth fan said.
