Dawn Staley says she ‘got bamboozled into coaching’

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley was featured on the “Marty and McGee” show Saturday morning, ahead of the Gamecocks’ football game against Kentucky.

Staley brought her dog Champ with her to the interview as she spoke about being “bamboozled into coaching,” saying she “never wanted to be a coach.”

Staley recalled having no prior coaching experience when Temple lured her into the profession in April of 2000. The AD Dave O’Brien invited Staley to speak about a potential coaching opportunity, where she explained that she had no interest in coaching. But O’Brien was persistent in his pursuit for the three-time Olympic gold medalist and former WNBA All-Star.

“I got bamboozled into coaching because I never wanted to be a coach.” 😂

We’re so glad you did, @dawnstaley.@GamecockWBB #MartyAndMcGee pic.twitter.com/ahOpteJqbF

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 25, 2021

According to Staley, O’Brien asked her two questions. The first was “can you lead?” followed by “can you turn our women’s basketball program around?”

O’Brien’s questioning tempted the fierce competitor in Staley, though she later attempted to politely decline the offer.

Two weeks later, however, Staley said she took the job and never looked back.