South Carolina AD Jeremiah Donati confirms Knicks reached out to Dawn Staley: "I would have called her, too'

The New York Knicks reached out to Dawn Staley for their head coaching vacancy, South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati confirmed to On3’s Talia Goodman. New York fired former head coach Tom Thibodeau after the 2024-25 season.

“If I were them, I would have called her, too,” Donati told Goodman.

It would be an unprecedented hire for the NBA, as the association has never seen a woman head coach. However, it is a testament to the job Staley has done with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Staley has been coaching the Gamecocks women’s basketball team since 2008. In January, she inked a new contract extension that will see her stay in Columbia through the 2029-30 season. The Knicks appeared to have other plans, contacting Staley for their high-profile head coaching opening.

New York is considered in win-now mode with a roster ready to make the NBA Finals. Falling short of that goal during this past season, the Knicks were still able to make the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 2000 season.

With stars such as Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns on their roster, if Staley would have proceeded with negotiations — there is a possibility she could quickly lead the team to a championship.

However, if it’s championships that Staley is chasing — she doesn’t have to go anywhere. She’s had championship-level teams in five consecutive seasons having made the Final Four in each of those years. Moreover, South Carolina has appeared in the title game in three of the past four years, including two national championship wins during that stretch.

South Carolina has won three titles overall since taking over the Gamecocks program, and has become one of the most respected coaches in the basketball industry. She reaffirmed her loyalty to South Carolina after she re-signed with the university earlier this year.

“I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and of its investment in women’s basketball,” Staley said. “What we’ve been able to accomplish on the court is a testament to what can happen when you bring together the right people from a team perspective but also have the right commitment from the University, the Athletics Department and the community to providing that team with everything it needs to be successful.

“I appreciate every person who has been part of our journey – player, staff member, University President and leadership, Board of Trustee member, athletics director, athletics department employee and fan. I look forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women’s basketball is one that will pay off for everyone.”