Greg Sankey: South Carolina's national championship is 'a credit' to Dawn Staley's leadership'

South Carolina capped off their undefeated season with an 87-75 win over Iowa on Sunday in the women’s national championship game. Finishing the year 38-0 and winning their third national championship in program history.

All three of those national titles have come under Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley, who now only sits behind Kim Mulkey, Pat Summitt, and Geno Auriemma all time for national championships won by a women’s basketball head coach. Helping elevate the program in an impressive way during her tenure in Columbia.

Following the title win, SEC Commissioner Greg Staley spoke about Staley’s success. A journey he had a front-row seat for starting in 2008.

“I had the privilege of seeing the beginning when she moved to South Carolina and experienced in a regular season game at the end of the season what’s been built,” Sankey said. “I think in moments of success she can forget all that it takes to climb that mountain top, and just credit to Dawn for what she has done over time at South Carolina.”

Following her successful career as a standout player at the college and professional levels Staley transitioned to coaching, spending eight seasons as the head coach at Temple before taking over the Gamecocks program. Slowly but surely shifting the culture and building South Carolina into a dominant powerhouse.

After three seasons at the helm the Gamecocks finally made it to the NCAA Tournament under Staley, which they’d go on to do for 12 consecutive seasons. Highlighted by three national championship wins and six Final Four appearances along with eight SEC regular season and tournament titles apiece.

“And then to go and get through a season undefeated and a really challenging schedule with not an entirely new roster, but a significantly different roster. To watch somebody like Camilla Cardoso progress through the year, to watch the youth contribute, it’s just a credit to her leadership and that of her staff,” Sankey said.

Staley took home her fourth Naismith Coach of the Year trophy this season and became just one of nine head coaches in men’s and women’s college basketball to lead their team to an undefeated season with a national championship win. Relying on veteran players like Cardoso and freshmen like Tessa Johnson in the national championship to continue building on her legacy. Doing so her way with class and a style that’s made her one of the most beloved figures in the sport.