​South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley has publicly expressed a strong appreciation for BYU’s Diljeet Taylor, signaling a notable surge of respect from a prominent coach toward Taylor’s work. Staley shared her admiration during an appearance on Citius Mag’s Prefontaine Classic show on Saturday, highlighting Taylor’s role as a leader beyond the court and track, specifically noting her mentorship and mother-like guidance. Staley described Taylor as someone who gives her all to her athletes and meets them where they are on any given day, underscoring a coaching philosophy that prioritizes the holistic development of the athlete.
In 2024, both Staley and Taylor earned places in Nike’s Athlete Think Tank, as part of the inaugural coaches cohort which also included Emma Hayes, head coach of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, and Jenny Lang Ping, the renowned former Olympic volleyball coach. Staley praised Taylor’s driving presence and passion, remarking that she has to sometimes be restrained because she’s eager to push her athletes to the finish line. Staley suggested that their coaching styles align, noting that they share a philosophy of investing deeply in athletes as whole people rather than focusing solely on performance metrics.
“We just really pour into the athlete as a holistic being,” Staley added, reflecting on the synergy she perceives between herself and Taylor. Taylor’s reputation for emotional post-race hugs and affectionate embraces with her athletes has drawn attention from Staley, who commented on the visible love and long-standing partnership evident in their relationship. The imagery of Taylor pulling her athletes across the finish line has been interpreted as a powerful gesture of gratitude for the support and guidance she provides, reinforcing the sense that Taylor has played a pivotal role in shaping the athletes she mentors.
The broader context of this admiration includes past events involving BYU and South Carolina. In September 2022, Staley canceled a scheduled two-game series between the programs after a Duke volleyball player alleged a racial slur from the BYU crowd in Provo. Staley explained that the incident prompted a reevaluation of the home-and-home arrangement and stated that she did not believe the timing was right for the series to proceed. BYU’s women’s basketball program issued a statement expressing disappointment with the decision, emphasizing a belief that collaboration to root out racism, rather than division, was the preferable path forward. The BYU investigation into the incident ultimately did not uncover evidence to corroborate the allegation, a finding that was reported by the Deseret News, which also covered subsequent responses from both universities.
Staley has continued to stand by her decision, explaining that, after conducting her own review, she acted in what she believed was best for her team’s well-being. She expressed regret that the university, athletics director Ray Tanner, and others were drawn into the criticism surrounding the choice, reiterating that the decision was made with the goal of protecting and supporting her players and staff. The conversation around these events reflects ongoing tensions and evolving perspectives on handling alleged incidents of misconduct and the responsibilities of coaches and institutions to safeguard athlete welfare, while also balancing the need for dialogue, accountability, and reconciliation in intercollegiate sports.