Dawn Staley keeps it real at SEC Media Days: “If it’s all about the money, they’re cheaper the second time around”

At SEC Media Days, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley did what she always does best, speak the truth without sugar-coating it. The nine-time SEC champion and three-time national title winner covered everything from recruiting and NIL to leadership and legacy, reminding everyone why her voice carries so much weight in the game.

When asked about the growing impact of revenue sharing on recruitment, Staley didn't flinch. “You lose some recruits in that regard. If it’s all about the money… they’re a lot cheaper the second time around, so I’m okay with letting them go,” she said with a smile.

Staley added that she never overpromises when it comes to NIL, explaining, “I’m only going to spread it out with what we have in hand.” Instead, she believes that South Carolina's true currency lies in development and long-term success. “We’ve got a quality program that produces pros. When the priority really becomes development, we always get a look the second time around.”

Staley also reflected on lessons from the mentors who helped to shape her personally. From John Chaney's dry humor, “If anything goes wrong, blame your assistant coaches,” to Tara VanDerveer's methodical depth, and Van Chancellor's veteran-first approach. Staley said she has built her coaching DNA from a mosaic of great minds in the game.

On the roster front, Staley addressed the loss of Chloe Kitts, who will miss the season as she recovers from an ACL injury. But the message was clear, no panic, just belief. “It’s not like we’re going to ask somebody to be Chloe because that’s impossible,” she said. “We’re unafraid to go into the season without her. You’re not going to see us skipping a beat.”

Staley also weighed in on Naphreesa Collier's recent comments about the WNBA labor negotiations, noting that both sides are simply playing the roles they need to play when it comes to collective bargaining. And when asked about her offseason interview with the New York Knicks, Staley said it was more about connection than ambition. “I’ve known Leon Rose for 30 years… It was a real interview. I like to see what they’re talking about.” Would she ever want to coach men's basketball? “Not really a whole lot,” she admitted. And when she was asked if she thought there would be a female coach in the NBA, she said, “I don’t think it’ll happen in my lifetime, and I hope I’m wrong.”

Finally, Staley highlighted the importance of three-on-three basketball for player development. “Three-on-three reveals who can actually play. You can see who’s skilled enough, who’s intelligent enough to read and react,” she said.

With the typical candor and confidence, Dawn Staley once again showed why she is the gold standard for authenticity in college sports. She is a coach who builds winners and tells the truth while doing it.