DAWN STALEY’S LEGEND LIVES ON THROUGH HER PROTÉGÉ: From National Champion Player to Coaching Star-in-the-Making, Olivia Gaines Is Carrying the Torch—How a Once-Underrated Bench Guard for South Carolina is Turning Heads as One of the Most Promising Young Coaches in College Basketball

DAWN STALEY’S LEGEND LIVES ON THROUGH HER PROTÉGÉ: From National Champion Player to Coaching Star-in-the-Making, Olivia Gaines Is Carrying the Torch—How a Once-Underrated Bench Guard for South Carolina is Turning Heads as One of the Most Promising Young Coaches in College Basketball

 

By [Your Name]

June 19, 2025 | Columbia, South Carolina

 

In the storied annals of South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball, few names shine brighter than Dawn Staley, the Hall of Fame coach who built an empire of grit, excellence, and national glory in Columbia. But now, a new name is rising from the same soil where that dynasty was born—Olivia Gaines, a former bench player turned coach, is emerging as one of the sport’s brightest new minds, and her journey is a testament to resilience, mentorship, and legacy.

 

At first glance, Olivia Gaines might not seem like the obvious heir to Staley’s throne. During her time as a Gamecock guard from 2013 to 2015, Gaines wasn’t the player making highlight reels or drawing national headlines. In fact, her stat sheet might suggest she played a small role—but to those who watched closely, Gaines embodied everything that Dawn Staley’s culture stood for: toughness, unselfishness, and a team-first mentality.

 

Fast forward to 2025, and Gaines has transformed from an overlooked role player into a coaching prodigy. Currently serving as an assistant coach at a rising Division I program, her name has begun to circulate in serious conversations about future head coaching roles. And make no mistake—this is only the beginning.

 

 

—

 

From JUCO Star to Gamecock Grinder

 

Gaines’s path to South Carolina wasn’t traditional. Before donning a Gamecocks uniform, she was a standout at Louisburg College in North Carolina, earning junior college All-American honors and developing a reputation as a relentless defender and high-IQ floor general. It was that gritty, no-nonsense approach that caught the eye of Coach Staley, who offered her a scholarship to join the Gamecocks in 2013.

 

Though she never started for South Carolina, Gaines made an impact off the bench during a pivotal era for the program. She helped lay the foundation for what would become a national powerhouse—bringing energy in practice, mentoring younger players, and delivering in critical moments when called upon. Her time under Coach Staley would prove formative, planting the seeds of a future coaching career rooted in passion, detail, and leadership.

 

 

—

 

Learning Under a Legend

 

If Dawn Staley is the architect of South Carolina’s golden era, Olivia Gaines is one of its apprentices—quietly absorbing lessons from one of the best basketball minds in the game.

 

“Coach Staley taught me that success isn’t just about what you do on the court—it’s about how you lead, how you serve, and how you prepare,” Gaines said in a recent interview. “She empowered all of us to think bigger—not just as athletes, but as women.”

 

It’s that philosophy that Gaines now brings into her own coaching practice. Colleagues and players alike describe her as a “player’s coach” with an “old soul”—someone who blends Xs and Os with emotional intelligence, just like her mentor.

 

“She’s got that fire,” said one fellow assistant coach. “She can see the game two plays ahead. But what really sets her apart is how she connects with her players. They trust her, and they’ll go to war for her.”

 

 

—

 

The Coaching Ascent

 

Following her graduation, Gaines wasted no time jumping into the coaching world. She started as a graduate assistant, then climbed the ladder through small-school assistant roles, building a résumé that reflects her tireless work ethic and growing strategic mind.

 

Now, as an assistant at a top-40 Division I program (whose name remains under wraps due to NCAA restrictions), she’s calling plays, developing scouting reports, and helping recruit the next generation of elite athletes—all while earning accolades from coaches across the country.

 

It’s no surprise that several athletic directors have already flagged her as a candidate for head coaching interviews within the next two seasons. One insider put it plainly: “Give her a program of her own, and she’ll build something special. You can just feel it.”

 

 

—

 

Legacy, Continued

 

Olivia Gaines’s story is more than just a feel-good tale about a former bench player making good—it’s a narrative that speaks to the depth and reach of Dawn Staley’s influence. Staley didn’t just build a dynasty on the court; she built a legacy of leadership that is now flourishing through women like Gaines.

 

As Staley continues to coach the Gamecocks and inspire future generations, Gaines’s rise serves as a powerful reminder that greatness in sports is not always measured by minutes played, but by lessons learned, hearts touched, and examples set.

 

From overlooked to overachiever, from player to coach, Olivia Gaines is just getting started.

 

And if her trajectory continues, one day soon, she won’t just be remembered as part of Dawn Staley’s legacy—she’ll be creating a legacy of her own.