Dawn Staley Says NBA Unlikely to Name a Woman Head Coach After Her Knicks Experience
dawn-staley-nba-female-coach-doubts
New York, Oct. 15, 2025 — Dawn Staley, one of the most prominent figures in women’s basketball, said her interview with the New York Knicks convinced her that the NBA will never appoint a female head coach.
Speaking with the New York Post, Staley recalled meeting with Knicks executives but ultimately being passed over for the position. “That process showed me it’s just not going to happen,” she said, explaining that the league’s decision-makers still appear unwilling to break the gender barrier on the bench.
Staley did not disclose the exact year of her Knicks interview, nor did she reveal details about the team’s feedback. She emphasized that her view is based solely on her own experience and the broader hiring history of the league, which has never placed a woman in the top coaching role.
The Hall of Famer continues to coach at the University of South Carolina but acknowledged she would consider professional opportunities if the landscape changed. For now, though, she believes the NBA remains closed to female head coaches.
Source: New York Post
