Dawn Staley is not only a basketball coach but also a strong-willed individual who loves basketball and coaching. Staley recently backed the WNBA players and encouraged them to keep fighting for their rightful demands in the CBA discussions with the league.
While the WNBA players won that battle, the 55-year-old coach is also associated with Dove, aiming to boost young athletes’ confidence regarding body image. In a recent interview, the coach spoke about body shaming and even gave an example of the same.
Dawn Staley Stays Strong Against Body Shaming
The three-time champion coach has been vocal about many social issues, and during the NFL Super Bowl game, she joined forces with Dove, which is looking to boost athletes’ confidence struggling with body shaming.
After the opening game against Southern University, Staley said, “I usually get behind things that I’m passionate about. I was a recipient of body shaming when I was growing up. Obviously, I’m short, and I have big shoulders. I got a big head, I got big hands, and I got big feet. So, when you’re growing up as a girl, and you have to be stronger in situations.”
Dawn Staley talked about how women have to deal with body shaming comments.
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 21, 2026
"You have to combat some of the things that are being said about women athletes who have to do certain things in order for them to compete at a high level." pic.twitter.com/WOMSrEkmdD
She added that her current player, Raven Johnson, also has strong hands, which might seem unusual for a female but is a must-have for the athlete at her position. “So, you have to combat some of the things that are being said about women. Athletes have to do certain things to compete at a high level. I mean, the more young girls hear the body-shaming names, the more we have to combat that with the opposite,” the South Carolina coach added.
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While her fight against the ‘body shaming’ and encouraging players from the trauma is still going on, she recorded a historic milestone in the March Madness games.
Dawn Staley Achieves Major Milestone In March Madness Tournament
Entering the competition as one of the dark horses for the title, the South Carolina Gamecocks recorded a 103-34 points win over Southern University. While the win was monumental and a confidence booster for the team, it was also the 50th March Madness win for Coach Staley.
Coach Staley really got that sh*t on 😭
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) March 21, 2026
South Carolina defeated Southern 103-34. pic.twitter.com/EaYEvf6hFf
In the 2025-26 season, Coach Staley recorded her 500th career win, while the March Madness success is an equally important one. She now has the third-most wins in the competition amongst active coaches, behind only Geno Auriemma and Kim Mulkey.