The New York Knicks reportedly want to talk with South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley about their head coaching vacancy. According to Knick Fans TV, a website and X account with over 39,000 followers that is dedicated to news and conversation regarding the Knicks, the team has reached out to Staley, and has interviewed her for the job.
Knicks Fan TV also reported the following on Saturday:
Sources tell Knicks Fan TV that South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley was interviewed for the job. Staley is one of the NCAA’s best coaches, with three national titles and two WNBA #1 picks (A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston) under her tutelage. She previously coached for Temple University, hence her close relationship with Rick (‘95) and Jalen Brunson.
Rick Brunson is an assistant coach with the Knicks and is the father of Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson. He is a Temple grad, and Jalen, like Staley, has Philadelphia ties having played at Villanova where he won a national championship.
Another post on X CEO Branding Expert, an account with over 48,000 followers, reported that Staley will actually interview for the Knicks job.
An online poll connected to the above post asked Knicks fans who they prefer for the job. Of the nearly 1600 votes as of Saturday night, over 51% voted for Staley.
Staley has stated she has no interest in coaching men’s basketball. She did interview for the Portland Trailblazers head coaching position a few years ago. Also, in her newest contract, there is a clause which allows her to leave for a NBA or WNBA head coaching or assistant coaching job without paying the University a dime.
Staley is considered a trailblazer in the basketball world, and becoming the first woman to be the head coach of an NBA team would further add to her resume of ground breaking accomplishments.