Former WNBA star turned South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley recently led her team to their third national championship victory. Staley has an impressive coaching record of 109-3 over the past three seasons, winning two titles during that time. Despite reaching the Final Four last season, the Gamecocks were eliminated by Iowa. The highly anticipated matchup between South Carolina and Iowa attracted record viewership, including Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian, who praised Staley’s coaching ability and successful run in the SEC.
Sarkisian expressed admiration for Staley’s leadership and the strong culture she has built within the South Carolina women’s basketball program. He noted her ability to assemble talented teams year after year and maintain a winning culture. Despite facing setbacks, such as losing in the semifinals last year, Staley’s team persevered and came out victorious in the national championship game this season. Sarkisian sees Staley as an inspiration and is striving to achieve a similar level of success at Texas, where he led the team to an 11-1 regular season record and a Big 12 Conference title.
Sarkisian also commended UConn coach Dan Hurley for securing a second consecutive national title on the men’s side. He noted Hurley’s coaching style and ability to develop top-level talent, even after losing several NBA players from the previous year’s team. Sarkisian emphasized the importance of coaching hard and being demanding of players while also demonstrating love and support for them. Both Staley and Hurley exemplify these qualities, which Sarkisian believes are essential for building successful teams year after year.
The Texas football coach highlighted the significance of studying successful coaches like Staley and Hurley, who consistently produce winning teams at a high level. Sarkisian drew parallels between his experiences with successful teams in the past, such as working with Pete Carroll, and the ongoing effort required to maintain success year after year. He acknowledged the dedication and hard work necessary to recreate a winning culture and build a championship-caliber program.
Sarkisian’s observations reflect his desire to replicate the achievements of coaches like Staley and Hurley, who have established themselves as elite leaders in their respective sports. By recognizing their coaching styles and emphasis on building strong relationships with players, Sarkisian aims to continue developing his coaching philosophy and strategies for success at Texas. By learning from the best in the business, Sarkisian hopes to elevate his coaching performance and guide his team to future success on the football field.
