Dawn Staley Explains Why She Was Shaken After South Carolina’s Loss to Texas

In a live update from South Carolina, Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley opened up about her team’s mindset following their recent defeat to Texas.

It’s rare for Staley’s teams to face back-to-back losses in a season. Just last year, the South Carolina Gamecocks went an undefeated 38-0, clinching the 2024 NCAA National Championship. The previous season, Staley’s squad was perfect at 36-0 until they were eliminated in the Final Four by Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Now, in the 2024-25 season, the Gamecocks have already suffered two losses, with their most recent setback coming on February 9 against the Texas Longhorns.

Staley took a moment to reflect on her emotions and thoughts after the defeat during a media session following a February 12 practice.

“It shakes you a little bit because it’s so unfamiliar. So you think about where you need to improve,” Staley remarked, as shared by Matt Dowell from WACH Fox on X. “Most times when we’ve lost, it’s more like an anomaly. Like ‘What the heck?’ That wasn’t us. That wasn’t our defense, that wasn’t our offense. More times than not, it was the opponent that did something to us.”

However, Staley also acknowledged the role of self-inflicted mistakes, noting, “And then some of it is self-inflicted, as well. So we’ve got to figure out what’s self-inflicted, what the opponent forced us to do, what’s the anomaly of it, and then try to fix it all at once.”

Staley wrapped up her comments with a hopeful note: “I think for us, we just need to get confident in doing things the way we need to do things.”

The standard for @GamecockWBB is so high that when they lose, it sends shockwaves through the sport.

Dawn Staley on how they deal with Sunday's loss internally:

"It shakes you a little bit 'cause it's so unfamiliar. You think about where you need to improve."@wachfox pic.twitter.com/Ka8Ih8uOz6

— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) February 12, 2025

As the Gamecocks prepare for their next challenge against the Florida Gators on February 13, all eyes will be on how South Carolina regains its rhythm and responds to the adversity.

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Brady Hunt Rejoins Garnet Trust, confirming his return to South Carolina Football

In a significant development for South Carolina football, Brady Hunt, a 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end, has signed a new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with the Gamecocks’ official collective, The Garnet Trust, ensuring his return to the program for the upcoming season.

Hunt, who transferred to South Carolina from Ball State last offseason, was part of the Gamecocks’ three-man tight end rotation in 2024 alongside Joshua Simon and Michael Smith. He made valuable contributions during the season, recording two receptions for 22 yards, including a key first-down grab late in the victory over Missouri. Known for his versatility both as a blocker and a receiver, Hunt is expected to take on an even larger role next season, especially with Simon having exhausted his eligibility.

Before joining South Carolina, Hunt had an impressive 2022 season at Ball State, where he caught 46 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns. His strong performance at Ball State and subsequent transfer to the Gamecocks highlight his potential to become a key player in South Carolina’s offensive game plan.

This new NIL deal underscores the Gamecocks’ commitment to player retention, with The Garnet Trust playing a crucial role in securing such agreements. Retaining players like Hunt is essential for the program’s continued success, and head coach Shane Beamer has stressed the importance of building strong relationships and maintaining open communication to keep the team unified and motivated.