A Female Head Coach In The NBA? How The New York Knicks Almost Achieved The Feat

Last Updated:August 28, 2025, 13:25 IST

Dawn Staley interviewed for the New York Knicks head coach job, nearly becoming the NBA's first female head coach, but the team ultimately hired Mike Brown instead.

Dawn Staley (R) could have potentially taken over the head role at the Knicks this offseason (X)

Could the NBA have witnessed its first-ever female head coach? Well, the New York Knicks almost brought that dream to life this offseason.

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley spilled the beans on how the NBA came closer than ever this summer to realizing the same by confirming she interviewed for the New York Knicks’ vacancy.

Staley, a Naismith Hall of Famer and one of the most decorated figures in women’s basketball, revealed on the Post Moves podcast hosted by Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston that she took part in the Knicks’ search process.

“If the Knicks had offered me the job, I would have had to do it," Staley said. “It’s not just for me, it’s for women … it’s the freakin’ New York Knicks," Staley stated to WNBA legend Candace Parker on the Post Moves podcast.

The Knicks were seeking a replacement for Tom Thibodeau, who had guided the franchise to its first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years before being dismissed. Ultimately, New York chose veteran coach Mike Brown, a former NBA Coach of the Year with deep playoff experience.

According to league sources, Staley impressed Knicks executives but was not among the final shortlist of candidates. She admitted that her interview included pointed conversations about inclusivity and the significance of hiring a woman at the NBA’s highest level.

“The NBA has to be ready for a female head coach," Staley noted.

Staley’s Credentials

At 55 years old, Staley has built one of the most dominant programs in NCAA history. She is a three-time national champion with South Carolina, a two-time Olympic gold medalist as a player, and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. In January, she signed a lucrative extension through 2030 worth over $25 million, making her one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball.

Staley has previously been linked with NBA opportunities, including an interview with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021. Her latest candidacy reflects the league’s slow but steady shift toward greater gender representation on coaching staffs.

A Changing Landscape

Several women currently serve as NBA assistants, most notably Lindsey Harding, who made history in 2024 as the first female head coach to win G League Coach of the Year with the Sacramento Kings’ affiliate. While no woman has yet held a full-time NBA head coaching position, Staley’s interview with the Knicks underscores how close the league is to breaking that barrier.

“It would have been bigger than me," Staley said. “It would’ve been about opening a door for all women who want to coach at the highest level."

(with agency inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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First Published:

August 28, 2025, 13:25 IST

News sports A Female Head Coach In The NBA? How The New York Knicks Almost Achieved The Feat

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