Dawn Staley becomes highest-paid women's coach in U.S

Dawn Staley is a highly successful women's basketball coach at the University of South Carolina. Since starting in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to three NCAA championships and has made six appearances in the Final Four. Staley has also won the Naismith Coach of the Year award four times. Heading into the 2025 March Madness tournament, her team is a top seed, pursuing what could be their fourth national title. Staley's achievements on the court have contributed to her substantial wealth. Her estimated net worth is about $12 million. Before the 2023 season, she signed a $25.2 million contract extension with South Carolina, making her the highest-paid women's coach in the United States. This contract pays her $4 million per year, surpassing her SEC competitor, Kim Mulkey. Staley's influence goes beyond coaching. In 1996, she established the Dawn Staley Foundation, which supports at-risk children in Philadelphia. In 2008, she launched "InnerSole" to provide shoes and clothing for children in need. More recently, in 2022, she started the "Netlife" podcast to showcase women in sports and coaching.