South Carolina turns to Staley to defy odds

Former Olympic star introduced as women's head basketball coach

COLUMBIA — Throughout her career as a player and coach, characterized thus far by tremendous success, Dawn Staley said she's considered herself "an odds-beater."

In taking the job as South Carolina's women's basketball coach, she'll again have to defy probabilities stacked against her to do what she's setting out to accomplish.

As she was introduced Saturday to fans and media, Staley said she wants to lift the Gamecocks to national prominence that the program has yet to really experience.

"Certainly, those are goals of mine," Staley said, wearing a USC baseball cap just given to her by school president Andrew Sorensen. "I think that's very doable."

Staley, 38, takes over for Susan Walvius, whose resignation goes into effect at the end of the month. Walvius was 165-160 overall and 51-103 SEC records in 11 seasons.

In eight years at Temple, Staley was 172-80, leading the Owls to six NCAA appearances and five since 2002. Staley was the Atlantic 10 coach of the year in 2004 and 2005.

All that came on the heels of a standout career as a player. Among her accomplishments, Staley is a three-time Olympic gold medallist. She'll be an assistant for this summer's games in Beijing.

Earlier in the day, the board approved Staley's lucrative five-year contract. She'll earn $650,000 a season, with incentives that could take the deal to nearly $1 million if the Gamecocks win a national title.

USC AD Eric Hyman has taken some heat locally for making such an offer, with some fans griping that before she's even coached a game Staley makes significantly more money than longtime baseball coach Ray Tanner.

Tanner, in his 12th season, earns about $200,000 a year.

Hyman said he doesn't compare salaries from one sport to another. However, in hiring Staley, he said he did compare salaries within the women's game.

"I think we're making a statement," Hyman said. "If we want to be mediocre, I could've paid someone a lot less."

Staley said it was difficult to leave Temple and her hometown of Philadelphia.

She first cited the desire to get her mother, who was born in Swansea, closer to family and old friends.

Additionally, Staley said she made the move to ramp up the professional test in front of her by going to the SEC.

"I think this is a bold move for me as a coach," she said. "It's going to be a challenge."

The women's basketball world seems in favor of USC's move.

"South Carolina won the lottery when they hired Dawn Staley," said Debbie Ryan, who coached Staley at Virginia in the early 1990s. "Dawn will transform the South Carolina program into a perennial national contender and become a state treasure upon her arrival."

Demetress Adams, USC's leading returning scorer, was excited to hear one of her idols as a young girl was going to be her new coach.

"I was ready to play right away," Adams said of her reaction when she heard of Staley's hiring, "just because of who she is and what she's done."

Hyman was giddy to run down Staley's resume as part of her introduction. In particular, he seemed to enjoy talking about Staley's penchant for community service.

The WNBA's community leadership award is named for Staley. She's twice received the Wanamaker Award, given to the individual or group that best enhances Philadelphia's image.

Staley is the only woman to ever receive the award and only the third person to ever net it twice.

At one point Saturday, Staley was asked about the opportunity to coach against Tennessee's Pat Summitt, arguably the most identifiable coach in the women's game.

Staley called UT, which just won its eighth national title and second in a row, a "model program."

"That's what we're going to try to do," Staley said, "and we're going to try to do it quicker than she did it."

Hyman said he's willing to give Staley time to get things going.

Staley doesn't sound like she wants to wait. Even if that's against the odds, too.

"I'm patient," she said, "but not that patient."

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the new South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.