Dawn Staley recalls her 2005 interview with Mal Moore for the Alabama women’s basketball position

BIRMINGHAM — While back in Birmingham for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley looked back on a time nearly 20 years ago when she was close to taking the Alabama coaching job.

In 2005, Staley was a candidate to replace Rick Moody, who was retiring after 16 years with Alabama. At the time, Staley was coaching Temple and had a strong 103-41 record with the Owls. According to Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News, Staley interviewed for the position. However, three years later, in 2008, she would take the job at South Carolina, where she has since won three state titles, including the 2024 championship.

“I do remember Mal Moore, a great man. He gave me a great interview, brought me to Alabama and showed me around,” Staley said. “I like to feel the place and see myself there, but once I got to Alabama, no offense, I just didn’t feel like myself. I was so young, from Philly, and I didn’t have an appreciation for the South at that time. I was just too young and naïve to realize it. But I enjoyed the people. When you can’t see yourself in a place, it’s the people that make the difference. I think that was a non-negotiable, and I would probably have to rethink that now because of the people.”

At the time, Staley was still playing in the WNBA for the Charlotte Sting, in the midst of a career that included three Olympic Gold Medals and two All-American honors with Virginia.

Instead, Alabama hired Stephany Smith, who struggled with two last-place SEC finishes during her tenure. Wendell Hudson succeeded her before Kristy Curry took over in 2013, leading Alabama to four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last five seasons.

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‘Zyon Guiles’ Chooses South Carolina, Boosting Gamecocks’ 2026 Recruiting Class

Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks have just landed a key commitment for their 2026 recruiting class with the addition of Zyon Guiles, a four-star offensive lineman. Guiles made his decision official last Tuesday, pledging his future to the Gamecocks.

Ranked as the 157th best player in the nation, the 14th best offensive tackle, and the third best player in South Carolina, Guiles is a significant pickup for the program. His commitment comes after heavy interest from top programs like Auburn, Clemson, Florida, and Georgia. However, with his official pledge now in place, it’s possible that his previously scheduled official visits to those schools will be called off.

Guiles becomes the second offensive lineman to commit to South Carolina for the 2026 class, bolstering the Gamecocks’ depth at a crucial position. With Guiles on board, Coach Beamer will now turn his attention to further enhancing the offensive line through this recruiting cycle.

As South Carolina continues to add high-caliber talent, the future of the program at Williams-Brice Stadium is looking more promising with each passing day.