"I don't have a passion for the next level": $25 million-earning Dawn Staley gets honest on WNBA/NBA exit clause that potentially saves her millions

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley solidified her position as the highest-paid women's college basketball coach in the nation. On Friday, Staley agreed a new five-year, $25.25 million contract extension with the university that includes a unique exit clause.

According to the details of the contract, Staley can terminate the agreement at any time by paying the remaining balance of the deal unless she departs to take a coaching gig in the WNBA or NBA.

During the postgame news conference on Sunday, following the Oklahoma game, Staley was asked about the unusual exit clause, given that she had expressed no interest in coaching in the professional ranks.

"I don't know, I might end up and leave, Staley said, laughing (14:38). "No, I mean, you’ve got to have something — it's a give and take. It was important for me to have a guaranteed contract. But in having a guaranteed contract, you’ve got to give them something.

"I would never leave here to go take another college job ... I really don’t have any passion for the next level. I would have been gone, seriously. So having (the clause) in there — it was just something fancy to have you ask me that question."

Dawn Staley has been coaching at South Carolina since 2008, leading the Gamecocks to three national championships and eight SEC regular season and tournament titles apiece.

Staley's new contract will pay her a base salary of $4 million per year, with yearly raises of $250,000. Previously, she was making around $3 million a year.

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Dawn Staley and South Carolina riding 13-game winning streak, host LSU next

Both No. 2 South Carolina and No. 5 LSU grabbed wins on Sunday, setting up a top-5 matchup in Columbia on Thursday night.

The Gamecocks extended their winning streak to 13 games with a 101-60 victory over Oklahoma. Freshman Joyce Edwards led the way with 17 points and four rebounds. Sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley added 15 points and seven assists.

Meanwhile, the Tigers took down Florida 80-63 as senior Aneesah Morrow earned her 18th double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Kim Mulkey's team remains undefeated, boasting a 20-0 overall record and a 5-0 record in the SEC.

Dawn Staley's Gamecocks were triumphant in both their matchups against LSU last season. They won 76-70 in a regular-season game in Baton Rouge and 79-72 in the SEC Tournament championship clash.