The South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2022-23 season had fallen to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Final Four. Hence, the next season, they were sure that this time they did not want their efforts to go in vain. But the chances of it were cut down as all their major stars, including Zia Cooke, Aliyah Boston, Brea Beal, and Laeticia Amihere, were drafted into the WNBA.

Nonetheless, Dawn Staley rebuilt the team from scratch and the result was in front of everyone as they not only won the NCAA tournament but did it with a clean sweep. And on College Game Day on Saturday, Staley once again revealed the plans for the upcoming year, and the hopes of winning another $600,000 in bonus.

“What I am most looking forward to right now though Jess I didn’t get my workout in but… Because you and I are standing here I feel like I’m okay. All right y’all know who Jess is right? I do your class? No, I don’t want to do any classes now but I am excited for… for this group, for this team, to what we call it Raven? The repeat tour. Let’s go!,” Staley concluded.

Notably, the South Carolina Gamecocks had a 38-0 record this season. They won the SEC regular season, the SEC tournament, and the NCAA tournament. As per Staley’s contract, the bonus for bagging the SEC regular season and the SEC tournament is $75,000 and $50,000, respectively. If the team wins both, then the 54-year-old would be given $100,000. Even there are bonuses for passing each round of the NCAA tournament with flying colors. Hence, definitely a celebratory vibe at the College Game Day.

Staley can have her hands on $25,000 if the Gamecocks reach the NCAA tournament this season. If her team goes ahead to reach the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four, then Staley would be paid $50,000, $100,000, and $250,000 respectively. Whereas for winning the national championship title, the 3× NCAA Division I Tournament Champion coach will be rewarded with $500,000. Therefore, considering that Staley wants to have a repeat tour, she can make $600,000 in bonuses. But it remains to be seen if the Gamecocks can clinch another title.

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks stranded in hopes of winning another title

Last season when the Gamecocks took court against the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team that ended their dream in the 2022-23 season, Staley was sure that she wanted to contain their mainstay, Caitlin Clark. Therefore, she employed Raven Johnson in the defense to keep a check on the ‘generational talent’. And sure she did, and also succeeded. The Gamecocks won the game by an 87-75 margin. However, this time, the situation is different.

While there still are MiLaysia Fulwiley and Raven Johnson, one of their core players, Kamilla Cardoso, has left college basketball and has been drafted by the Chicago Sky this year. Hence, Staley will have to do the rebuilding work once again. Something she just might have aced at by now. Staley had formed a winning team with A’ja Wilson and clinched the Championship title in 2017.

“Actually a camper in our camps to coaching her in college, to watching her dominate and becoming the best player in the world,” Staley had remarked of Wilson when the latter was featured on the cover of NBA2K25. However, when Wilson departed in 2018, there was space for a center.

Even when Wilson left the college, Staley opined that “they were a unit.” and it was somewhat unfair to the new team “to be able to uphold that standard because they are starting anew. But they found a way to appreciate each other.” Nonetheless, Staley advanced to the Sweet Sixteen that year, relying on LaDazhia Williams.

Then the cycle of college basketball once again struck Staley after Boston departed in the 2022-23 season. However, that did not deter her spirit of forming another Championship-winning team. Therefore, fans are hopeful that even this time, Staley will be able to make a comeback and help her team win the title. And the good thing this time is that the new recruits are charged up for helping their coach take the title.

Staley has three new recruits – Joyce Edwards, Maddy McDaniel, and Adhel Tac. While Edwards was the number 3 overall recruit in the class of 2024, McDaniel won the hearts with her no. 14 recruiting position. Meanwhile, Tac had occupied the 28th position. And perhaps they will help Staley make an indomitable team once again.