dawn staley: "#nocougar": Dawn Staley joins the social media banter about South Carolina's new assistant HC

"#nocougar": Dawn Staley joins the social media banter about South Carolina's new assistant HC

NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Championship - Source: Imagn — Dawn Staley had some fun after her new assistant coach's appointment. - Source: Imagn

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley added former USC Trojans assistant coach Wendale Farrow to her staff on Friday. As some in social media reacted to Farrow's looks, Staley playfully responded.

After a post hit saying Staley kept "a handsome black man by her arm", Staley answered with a picture of her and an emoji-filled response.

"#nocougar 🫣🫣🫣🥰🥰🥰🤣🤣🤣," Dawn Staley wrote, claiming she was not an older woman interested in younger men.

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Farrow will replace former Gamecocks assistant Winston Grady, who took the head coaching position at Grand Canyon. Farrow brings more than a decade of coaching experience in the Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC.

He is coming off a four-year tenure at Southern Cal, where he helped the Trojans reach the Elite Eight each of the last two seasons. During his four seasons in Los Angeles, six Trojans were selected in the WNBA Draft, including Kiki Iriafen, the fourth overall pick by the Washington Mystics in this year's Draft.

“We struck gold in bringing Wendale into our Gamecock family. He is an accomplished young coach who has been part of every aspect of successful programs, and that journey has made him a seasoned, complete coach from Xs and Os to player development to recruiting to community service. We’re excited to see the huge impact he will make on our team and Columbia,” Dawn Staley said of Farrow's hiring.

Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks made a run to the NCAA Tournament Final, where they fell short against the UConn Huskies. The Gamecocks have won two of the last four national titles and played in three of the past four national championship games.

The Gamecocks will have to reload ahead of next season. Bree Hall, Sania Feagin, and Te-Hina Paopao are out of eligibility, while Sakima Walker and MiLaysia Fulwiley entered the transfer portal.

MiLaysia Fulwiley thanks Dawn Staley after entering the portal

Sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley entered the transfer portal after two years in Columbia. But before leaving, the young player sent a farewell message in which she also thanked South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, among others, in an Instagram image posted on Thursday.

"I want to begin by thanking my hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. Without my village, I wouldn't be where I am today, chasing my dreams. Thank you to Coach (Dawn) Staley, the entire South Carolina staff and my teammates for the unforgettable memories we've created together.

"Most importantly, thank you to the FAMS (nickname for fans of the team), for embracing me and supporting me over the past two years." MiLaysia Fulwiley rote.

Fulwiley will now be one of the top players in the portal. She averaged 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and two assists for the Gamecocks last season. The Columbia native has two years left.

About the author

Allan Wolburg Robles is a College Sports journalist at Sportskeeda with over 17 years of experience in the field writing for publications including Reforma, Yahoo! OddsShark and Apuesta. Allan studied Communications at Anáhuac University, where he learned what would become the basis of a trade that was already a dream of his before starting college.

His favorite team is Army West Point as when he was young, Allan lived in West Point for a couple of years, went to pretty much every home game, a couple of Army-Navy games and even got to meet some of the players.

Allan's favorite players of all time include Tommie Frazier, who was unbelievable during the Nebraska dynasty of the early 90's. Tim Tebow was also a favorite, mainly because of his leadership skills, although he was also awesome on the football field. As a fan of defensive football, (or what's left of it), Sean Taylor could take over a game for Miami.

Allan has always considered himself a student of the game more than a fan of it. So the historical part and evolution of the game, as well as the ins and outs of what happens on the field, and being able to put it into words for the audience, are his biggest strengths.

Besides sports, Allan enjoys reading books, watching movies and spending time with his dogs.

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Edited by Brad Taningco