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The Dallas Mavericks are leaving all options on the table for their head coaching search. According to Christian Clark of The Athletic (subscription needed) they could be considering a groundbreaking option. Dawn Staley, who is the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, is one of the names to watch in the job cycle.
The article lists five names the new president of operations, Masai Ujiri, and the Mavericks brass are considering. Along with Staley, the Mavericks are considering Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Duke head basketball coach Jon Scheyer, and Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter.
Apr 2, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley looks on during a press conference at the Final Four National Semifinal Practice at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Staley has earned NBA head coaching buzz in the past. Last summer, according to the article, the New York Knicks interviewed her for their head coach opening after they fired Tom Thibodeau, and Staley said she would’ve accepted the position if offered.
More: NBA fans can get piece of Chicago Bulls dynasty with historic auction
“I would have had to do it,” Staley said on the “Post Moves” podcast in April. “Not just for me. For women. To break (that door) open. I would have had to. It’s the New York Knicks.”
She later said that going through the process gave her the belief that “no NBA team is ready for a female coach right now,” and it’s unclear whether she’d welcome a return to the NBA after the experience.
More: Top 10 coach and player pairings in the NBA
Clark put the Mavericks on this list partially because Ujiri had interviewed Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammond for the Toronto Raptors job three years ago. Clark later says that it wouldn’t be a shock if the Mavericks considered her in the search too.
Jan 11, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Ever since the Gamecocks hired Staley in 2008, she’s cemented her name as one of the greatest women’s basketball coaches in history. After a Hall of Fame WNBA career, Staley has stacked a College Basketball Hall of Fame resume.
More: How to live stream Cavaliers vs Knicks: Eastern Conference Finals, TV channel
She’s coached three national champion squads (2017, 2022, 2024), and her squads have made the Final Four eight times. Staley won the Naismith Coach of the Year award four times (2020, 2022-24) as well.
The Dallas Mavericks fired Jason Kidd on May 19, 2026, just seven months after agreeing on an extension with him. They went 26-56 and earned the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, but they still have Cooper Flagg, who could be a generational talent. They also have the rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round pick.
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The article lists five names the new president of operations, Masai Ujiri, and the Mavericks brass are considering. Along with Staley, the Mavericks are considering Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Duke head basketball coach Jon Scheyer, and Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter.
Staley’s past experience in coaching cycle
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Apr 2, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley looks on during a press conference at the Final Four National Semifinal Practice at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Staley has earned NBA head coaching buzz in the past. Last summer, according to the article, the New York Knicks interviewed her for their head coach opening after they fired Tom Thibodeau, and Staley said she would’ve accepted the position if offered.
More: NBA fans can get piece of Chicago Bulls dynasty with historic auction
“I would have had to do it,” Staley said on the “Post Moves” podcast in April. “Not just for me. For women. To break (that door) open. I would have had to. It’s the New York Knicks.”
She later said that going through the process gave her the belief that “no NBA team is ready for a female coach right now,” and it’s unclear whether she’d welcome a return to the NBA after the experience.
More: Top 10 coach and player pairings in the NBA
Clark put the Mavericks on this list partially because Ujiri had interviewed Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammond for the Toronto Raptors job three years ago. Clark later says that it wouldn’t be a shock if the Mavericks considered her in the search too.
Staley’s coaching resume
You must be registered for see images attach
Jan 11, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Ever since the Gamecocks hired Staley in 2008, she’s cemented her name as one of the greatest women’s basketball coaches in history. After a Hall of Fame WNBA career, Staley has stacked a College Basketball Hall of Fame resume.
More: How to live stream Cavaliers vs Knicks: Eastern Conference Finals, TV channel
She’s coached three national champion squads (2017, 2022, 2024), and her squads have made the Final Four eight times. Staley won the Naismith Coach of the Year award four times (2020, 2022-24) as well.
The Dallas Mavericks fired Jason Kidd on May 19, 2026, just seven months after agreeing on an extension with him. They went 26-56 and earned the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, but they still have Cooper Flagg, who could be a generational talent. They also have the rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round pick.
Continue reading...
