When $12 million worth Dawn Staley revealed an interesting career choice if she wasn’t a basketball coach: “I’m really, highly competitive”

Dawn Staley has led South Carolina to three national championships, and her impact goes beyond coaching. However, during a March 2023 interview with Taylor Rooks for Bleacher Report, the $12 million worth (per CelebrityNetWorth) Staley was asked what she would be if she were not a coach.

"Wow, you gonna take me there," Staley said (17:37). "I'm really highly competitive. And I probably think I can have my way in the casino. So I'll probably be a professional gambler. Blackjack, Roulette, you name it. I don't know craps, though. Somebody has to teach me now. I know the hood craps."

Dawn Staley's coaching career began in 2000 when she became the head coach at Temple University. At the time, she was still playing in the WNBA for the Charlotte Sting. She later joined the Houston Comets in 2005 for one season. In 2008, Staley moved to South Carolina, taking over as the Gamecocks coach.

When Dawn Staley revealed that coaching was never her first choice

Dawn Staley played for four years with the Virginia Cavaliers. A short international stint and 1996 Olympics appearance later, she joined the WNBA in 1999. While she was an incredible point guard, her foray into coaching was entirely unplanned.

Staley made a guest appearance on "NBA Unplugged" with Kevin Hart during Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. It was here she explained how she got into coaching.

"What really got me into coaching was not wanting to be a coach," Staley said. "It's weird, but I didn't ever want to be a coach ... Dave O'Brien the athletic director at Temple (University) challenged me to turn the Temple women's basketball program around and I'd never been challenged (before) in that way.

"So you know, if you challenge a North Philadelphian, we are going to prove you wrong."

In her time leading South Carolina, Dawn Staley has coached two No. 1 picks and has overseen the growth of many WNBA stars. This season, Staley and the Gamecocks are attempting to repeat their national championship win from last year.

South Carolina is on a 14-1 run and is slowly finding its way to being a consistent team. Sunday's 95-68 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs was almost a close call, but the Gamecocks will prepare to take on Texas A&M next on Thursday.