Report: Dawn Staley out of Knicks coaching search despite interview

On June 28, a report emerged claiming that South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley was being considered for the New York Knicks’ head coaching vacancy. On Tuesday, Hoops Wire‘s Ashish Mathur reported that Staley is no longer being considered for the opening.

Staley was reportedly impressive in her interview with the New York Knicks, but the organization is heading in a different direction. The Knicks are replacing Tom Thibodeau, who they fired after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals this past season.

Thibodeau was the Knicks’ head coach from 2020-25. The Knicks are reportedly bringing back former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown for a second interview.

Before interviewing Brown, the Knicks attempted to reach out to numerous other head coaches, including Houston’s Ime Udoka, Dallas’ Jason Kidd, Minnesota’s Chris Finch, and Chicago’s Billy Donovan. All of the Knicks’ requests were denied.

In January, Dawn Staley signed a new contract at South Carolina, which runs through the 2029-30 season. Under the terms of the deal, she will make $4 million annually, along with a $250,000 annual escalator. However, she wouldn’t owe a buyout if she chose to leave the program.

Despite the clause in the contract, Staley confirmed in February she doesn’t plan to leave the program when asked about whether she’d coach in the WNBA. Instead, she wants to set South Carolina players up for success at the next level – a role she sees is crucial in a college coach.

“I think the impact, for me, is more in line with what I’m passionate about, and that’s young people,” Staley said on SiriusXM College Sports Radio. “That’s sort of like protecting our league, the WNBA, to make sure that … whoever comes from South Carolina, is prepared to handle all of it – the good, the bad, the ugly. Being a starter, being someone that has to come off the bench as a contributor. Being someone that never plays, but still handles that role like a pro.

“I want them to listen to their vets. I want them to be someone a coach can really rely on, no matter what role that they play. And I do think college coaches play a role in protecting our game at the next level.”

During her 16 seasons at the helm of South Carolina, Staley has led the Gamecocks to nine SEC regular season championships, nine SEC tournament championships, eight Sweet Sixteens, six Final Fours, and three national titles. South Carolina reached the national championship game last season but ultimately fell to UConn.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.