Why this prolific college coach joining the Pistons could work

Searching for a head coach again, the Detroit Pistons shouldn’t hesitate in pursuing South Carolina’s Dawn Staley. Here are three reasons why a partnership could come to fruition.

Staley’s resume and intangibles dispel concerns  

When women potentially coaching men are mentioned, the same questions arise. However, Staley’s total package more than erases those concerns.

Already a Hall of Famer as a player, Staley is also a four-time Naismith Coach of the Year, having won three national championships at South Carolina. Meanwhile, she’s 45-0 internationally, leading Team USA to gold at the World Cup (2018), FIBA AmeriCups (2019, 2021) and Summer Olympics (2021).

Beyond her basketball knowledge, Staley has become an ambassador for the game and is respected by all. Furthermore, she’s already spoken about coaching in the NBA, believing success will come for the same reasons it has in college.

“I don’t think there’s a huge difference in coaching because it’s people,” Staley told USA Today in 2022. “The game strategy, tactics, schemes, all of that, can be learned—you really can’t learn to relate to people.”