2025 March Madness features WNBA-coached teams nationwide

In 2025, several women's college basketball coaches with WNBA backgrounds are making their mark in the NCAA Tournament. Among them are Dawn Staley from South Carolina and Kara Lawson from Duke. Dawn Staley was a standout player at Virginia before having a successful WNBA career. She won three Olympic gold medals with Team USA and has coached South Carolina to three national championships since 2008. Her experience as both a player and coach helps her lead her team effectively. Kara Lawson played for Pat Summitt at Tennessee and had a strong college career, which included playing in the NCAA tournaments. Lawson was drafted by the Detroit Shock but had most of her success with the Sacramento Monarchs, where she won a championship in 2005. She has served as an assistant coach in the NBA before becoming the head coach at Duke. Other prominent coaches include Niele Ivey from Notre Dame, who was part of the first national championship team for her school, and Brooke Wyckoff from Florida State, who also played at her alma mater before coaching there. These coaches bring valuable experience from their years in the WNBA to their teams, influencing the next generation of players in the NCAA Tournament. The championship will be decided on April 6, followed by the WNBA draft shortly after, marking a significant transition for many college athletes.