When discussing legendary coaching duos in women’s basketball, Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey often come to mind—a partnership that has defined excellence and created a dynasty at UConn since 1988. However, an equally remarkable duo is carving its legacy in South Carolina, Dawn Staley and Lisa Boyer.

Much like Auriemma and Dailey, Staley and Boyer have built an unshakable bond, transcending the traditional coach-assistant dynamic to form a partnership grounded in trust, mutual respect, and shared vision. Together, they’ve redefined success at South Carolina. winning 3 NCAA championships, 6 Final Four appearances, 8 SEC Tournament titles, and 8 SEC regular-season crowns and establishing the Gamecocks as a powerhouse in college basketball.

Their bond goes far beyond their coaching partnership in South Carolina, it dates back to Staley’s playing days when Boyer was her coach for a year with the Philadelphia Rage.  A coaching veteran of over 40 years, Boyer was the first woman to be part of an NBA team, Lisa joined Staley as her assistant at Temple in 2002 after she had given up on coaching entirely.

When Dawn Staley first asked Lisa Boyer to join her coaching staff at Temple, Boyer’s response was blunt,

“Hell no.” But Staley was never the one to back down from a challenge. She kept asking relentlessly for three years. Her persistence finally paid off, and Boyer, who had nearly walked away from coaching, has been by her side ever since.

They have gone on to build such a rapport between them that, in 2018, Dawn unknowingly sparked rumors about them dating when she took to X (Twitter back then) to congratulate Boyer on completing ten years together in South Carolina.

She said, “Boyer!! We are that old married couple who started young and will grow old together. You put the ride and die in the RIDE and DIE! Proud of you Boyer. Thanks for sacrificing your career to help me serve our teams, program, university, and state. What a ride?! “

While it’s been confirmed that they’re not romantically involved, there’s no denying that Dawn Staley and Lisa Boyer are a match made in basketball heaven! Their chemistry on and off the court has created a coaching partnership that’s nothing short of legendary having won over 600 games of basketball together.

Spend a few weeks with the South Carolina basketball program, and Lisa Boyer’s influence becomes impossible to miss. Her impact resonates through every play, and every player she coaches. Don’t believe it? Let’s take a look into what makes her the backbone of this powerhouse team!

Boyer, an influential part of the Dawn Staley Squad

Staley has always been quick to recognize and appreciate the pivotal role Lisa Boyer has played in her coaching journey. Time and time again, Staley has credited Boyer for being an essential part of her success. “When I want to not think about basketball, she’s always thinking about basketball. I know I would not have been as successful without her expertise, her tirelessness, her, I mean, she thinks about every single thing”

When South Carolina faced off against the Tennessee Vols in the SEC Tournament semifinals, it was Kamilla Cardoso’s game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer that stole the show. Before the game, she had never made a three-pointer in her four-year college career before. Behind that clutch moment was Boyer’s dedication, as she tirelessly worked with Cardoso on mid-range jumpers and top-of-the-key threes.

“Boyer, I don’t even have words to describe her,” says Kamila Cardoso. “She’s an incredible coach, pushing us to work harder and improve both on and off the court. But beyond that, she’s just an amazing person—always there, hyping us up through it all.” This is just one of countless testimonials that speak to Coach Boyer’s profound impact on the players and the team’s success, highlighting her role as a true motivator and mentor.

Dawn Staley and Lisa Boyer’s legendary coaching partnership has reshaped the landscape of women’s college basketball. It is safe to say that Staley’s illustrious playing career laid the foundation for her coaching brilliance. With Boyer by her side, they’ve created an unstoppable force in the sport!