Dawn Staley named the 2020 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley earned the 2020 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced. She will be presented with the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the late legendary University of Tennessee coach.

“The WBCA is proud to announce Dawn Staley as the 2020 recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year,” WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew said. “We also congratulate the other coaches who were selected by their peers as finalists for this prestigious award.

“Dawn is a championship coach and a hall of fame player. She is a skilled and passionate teacher of the game who is devoted to her student-athletes. She has masterfully built both a powerful program and fanbase at South Carolina. She has served her peers as a member of the WBCA Board of Directors and NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee. Dawn was chosen by her peers for this award after leading her team to another exceptional season. She is very deserving of the WBCA’s highest honor in the coaching profession.”

Staley led her team to a 32-1 record and a No. 1 finish in all of the national polls. In her 12 seasons at South Carolina, she has guided the team to five SEC tournament titles, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, and one national title. She is a member of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fames in addition to serving as the head coach for the U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team.