May 15, 2012
COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley was named Female Coach of the Year by Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA), the organization announced. Staley led the Gamecocks to their most successful season since 2001-02 as the team finished with a 25-10 overall record, including a 10-6 mark in SEC action, and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
Staley’s fourth season at the South Carolina helm was a testament to the steady growth of the program and individual players under her tutelage. Three Gamecocks were named to the All-SEC Second Team, the most in South Carolina history in the league. Staley’s team was ranked No. 21 in the final ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll (April 3) and drew the No. 25 position in the last AP Top 25, which was released prior to the NCAA Tournament. South Carolina’s 25 total wins and 10 SEC victories tied the 2001-02 team for the most in the SEC era. The Gamecocks defeated six top-25 teams, including five wins either on the road or at a neutral site, and, after tying for fourth in the regular-season standings, reached the SEC Tournament semifinals for the first time in school history.
In her four seasons in Columbia, S.C., Staley has coached six All-SEC selections, three SEC All-Freshman team members and the Associated Press Rookie of the Year en route to a 67-58 record. Over her 12-year coaching career, Staley has a 239-138 overall record.
2012 BCA Awards
Fritz Pollard Male Coach of the Year: David Shaw, Head Football Coach, Stanford
Female Coach of the Year: Dawn Staley, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, South Carolina
Dr. Myles Brand Administrator of the Year: Jerry Reese, Sr. Vice President and General Manager, New York Giants
High School Coach of the Year: Marcia Pinder, Girls Basketball Coach, Dillard High School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Richard E. Lapchick, Director of DeVos Sports Business Management Graduation Program at Univ. of Central Florida; Founder of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport
