The New York Knicks are making headlines again—this time not for a blockbuster trade or a draft splash, but for a potential history-making coaching hire. According to multiple league sources, the Knicks have reportedly reached out to legendary South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley about their vacant head coaching position. If hired, Staley would become the first female head coach in NBA history, breaking a barrier that has stood for decades.
The Knicks, now the only NBA team without a head coach following the firing of Tom Thibodeau on June 3, have been actively pursuing top-tier candidates to lead the storied franchise. While names like Taylor Jenkins, Mike Brown, and Micah Nori are being floated as serious contenders for the role, the inclusion of Dawn Staley in the conversation is turning heads across the basketball world.
Staley’s résumé is nothing short of iconic. With a coaching record of 475–110 at South Carolina, she has transformed the women’s program into a national powerhouse. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have captured three national championships—in 2017, 2022, and 2024—and most recently completed an undefeated season in 2023–24, etching her name among the greatest to ever coach the game.
Her coaching style—centered on discipline, defense, and player empowerment—has drawn admiration across both women’s and men’s basketball. Yet despite her unparalleled success, it remains unclear whether Staley is open to the Knicks’ pitch. She signed a new contract with South Carolina earlier this year and has given no public indication that she intends to leave her program.
Still, the Knicks’ interest signals a progressive shift in NBA hiring practices. Becky Hammon became the first woman to be seriously considered for an NBA head coaching position when she interviewed with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021, but she ultimately lost out to Chauncey Billups and returned to the WNBA. Staley, however, has the pedigree, presence, and leadership to command any locker room—male or female.
As the Knicks continue their interviews, competition remains fierce. Mike Brown, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, and Taylor Jenkins, who led Memphis to back-to-back 50-win seasons, are also reportedly advancing to second-round discussions. Micah Nori, a top assistant with the Timberwolves, is also under serious consideration, along with James Borrego, associate coach for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Whether or not Staley ultimately accepts the opportunity, her inclusion in the search underscores just how far the game has come—and how close the NBA might be to finally seeing a woman take the reins on the sideline.
