Dawn Staley might currently be the biggest coaching name in the basketball space, pitting her alongside Michael Jordan. After all, the 53-year-old South Carolina Gamecocks coach has etched her name in the history books. On Sunday, Staley orchestrated the university’s 3rd national championship in the last 7 years. Moreover, having lost 6 key players from her rotation last year, she still managed to lift the title with several 1st-year players; that too on an undefeated 38-0 run.

So, when the crew at First Things First evaluated the next big step for the coach, they highlighted Scott Fowler’s suggestion for Staley to coach the Charlotte Hornets. With a hilarious response, saying, “actually seems like a bit of punishment,” Kevin Wildes probed Nick Wright’s views on Staley’s potential NBA journey. With immense respect for her personality and basketball acumen, Wright claimed that she could spearhead the NBA squad. However, he then chimed, “How can you succeed in Charlotte? Michael Jordan tore that thing down so poorly,” leaving the crew in chuckles. Jordan’s 13-year tenure as the owner of the Hornets came with poor off-court skills.

It was marked by dismal recruitments, coaching hires, underinvestment, disappointing draft picks, and unsuccessful free-agency signings. This forced the 6-time champion to sell a majority part of ownership last year. On the other hand, Wright’s siding with Dawn Staley comes from her unmatched winning record.

In the past 3 years, Staley has led the Gamecocks to 2 national titles; albeit with a 109-3 record. Moreover, she displayed a flawless run last year too, before the loss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Final 4. Regardless, Nick also cites that there are more majestic feats for Dawn at the college level too.

Because of Staley’s history of apt scouting and connecting with raw talents, the analyst says, “I would think the next challenge might be go get Kentucky back to glory rather than the hamster wheel that is the NBA.” While Nick’s path for Staley can add more glory to her coaching career, another reporting name within the NBA backs up Dawn’s rays beaming on the Hornets.

Boston’s reporter Charlotte to give Dawn Staley a chance

“Staley has always thrived on impossible-sounding challenges and it’s an option that should at least be explored by the Hornets,” Fowler said about the Gamecocks coach. With that, Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn doubles Dawn Staley’s candidacy.

Hornets’ current head coach, Steve Clifford, recently announced that he will no longer continue his coaching role after his contract expires at this season’s end. With that, Washburn claims, “There’s no reason why the Hornets shouldn’t pursue Staley, unless you consider her gender a detriment.” Well, lucky for Washburn and the fans cheering for Staley, the franchise is way ahead of the gender debate.

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The Hornets have recently been given a green light to Lindsey Harding, G League’s Stockton Kings’ coach. With that, Staley brings an apt resume to the table.

However, in the past, college coaches who made it to the NBA have not fared well with the increased competition. Even famous names like John Calipari of UMass (72-112), Rick Pitino from Kentucky (192-220), Brad Stevens from Butler Bulldogs (270-222), and Billy Donovan of Florida Gators (199-129) have failed at cruising past the conference finals.

However, Staley is a modern-day coach, who encompasses the ability to resonate with young players more than anything. With that, and some time to wrap her strategies around the league, there is no doubt that Staley can propel the Hornets to new heights. But the question is, does she want to make the move?

As of 2022, the star head coach had no interest in doing so. She once told ESPN, “There isn’t an ounce of me that has the desire to go to the next level”. Would that have changed after the recent success? Time will tell.

Amid Dawn Staley Rumors, Charlotte Hornets To Interview G-League COTY For NBA’s 1st Full-time Female HC