Dawn Staley joked that she wouldn't consider another go as USA women’s basketball head coach if she was asked prior to the Olympics whether she would.Staley's Sunday response to Team USA's seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal was "I'm done."Staley smiled when she said it at the Americans' postgame press conference. Diana Taurasi, U.S. Guard, asked her, "Does that make Dawn feel good?"Like Taurasi, Guard Sue Bird confirmed that this would be her last Olympics. However, she had already stated that before heading to Tokyo. Taurasi on the other side said "See you at Paris", which is where the 2024 Olympics will be held -- although it was not clear if she was laughing or serious.Staley stated that she enjoyed her time and has done everything she can. Staley said that she loves the innocence and purity of "just playing" the most about being part of the national team.Staley stated, "It creates that unlike any other team you will participate on." "It's what I coach my college team to have.Staley's relationship with USA Basketball dates back over three decades. She played for USA Basketball while she was in college at Virginia. After graduating from Virginia, she joined the senior national team for 1994 FIBA Women's World Cup. In 1996, Staley won the first of three Olympic gold medals.In 2008 and 2016, Staley served as an assistant Olympic coach. In March 2017, she was appointed head coach of the team. She won her first NCAA title as South Carolina coach a few weeks later.Since then, it has been difficult to balance her college program (which made the Final Four last season) and her USA duties. Staley was the American's leader to the FIBA Women's World Cup Gold in 2018. She shared the experience of that championship with A'ja Wilson, a former Gamecocks player.Staley's win in Tokyo marks her second Olympic gold medal in 5-on-5 basketball. She joins Anne Donovan, who was both a player as well as a coach. Donovan was a player who won gold in 1984 and 1988, and was then the head coach in 2008. Pat Summitt, a former player, won a silver medal in 1976. He then led the U.S. to gold in 1984.It is not unusual for Staley to leave the United States for a second Olympic season; Geno Auriemma, UConn's coach, has coached the U.S. women’s national team at two Olympics (2012 and 2016).Americans now hold a record of 55 consecutive Olympic wins. Staley credited Taurasi and Bird with continuing that streak.She said, "The beginning of this winning took place before them, but they completed it." They took it to another level. They put so much pressure on the next coach, and the next players to perform at an elite level."Staley's departure will mean that the U.S. women’s basketball program will have a new leader by the 2022 World Cup. Carol Callan, the national team director, announced that she would be stepping down in July. However, she will remain president of FIBA Americas.
