From Court to Sideline: Former WNBA Players Coaching in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament
The anticipation is building for the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, a spectacle that will culminate on April 6th with the crowning of a new champion. As fans eagerly anticipate the March Madness drama, many college basketball stars will soon transition to the professional ranks, their dreams realized at the 2025 WNBA draft, just a week after the NCAA final.
This dynamic ebb and flow between college and professional basketball isn’t new. A unique group of individuals has experienced both sides of this transition, from star player to influential coach. Dawn Staley, the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, is a prime example. Her journey started as a standout athlete for the Virginia Cavaliers, progressed to a successful WNBA career, and included three Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s team.
Staley’s unparalleled experience winning at all levels has undeniably translated to her coaching prowess. She has guided South Carolina to three national championships in the past seven years, the most recent of which was in 2024. Her ability to instill a winning mentality, honed over years of high-pressure competition, is evident in the Gamecocks’ dominant performance.
However, Staley isn’t alone in possessing both WNBA playing experience and a current coaching role in the 2025 NCAA Tournament field. There’s a notable cohort of coaches who have made the leap from professional player to collegiate leader. These individuals bring a wealth of first-hand knowledge, strategic insight, and an intimate understanding of the game that undoubtedly impacts their teams.
Dawn Staley: From Cavalier to Gamecock Legend
Dawn Staley’s legacy is woven into the fabric of women’s basketball. During her time at Virginia, she led the Cavaliers to four NCAA tournaments, three Final Four appearances (1990-92), and a national championship game in 1991. Despite losing the national title to Pat Summitt and the Tennessee Volunteers, Staley’s outstanding performance earned her the 1991 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award. She was also recognized as the Naismith College Player of the Year for two consecutive years (1991, 1992), solidifying her status as a collegiate icon.
Staley was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Sting in the 1999 WNBA draft, embarking on an eight-year professional career marked by excellence. She earned six All-Star nods and was later named to the WNBA’s 10th and 15th Anniversary Teams in 2006 and 2011, respectively. Her international success continued as she secured three Olympic gold medals with Team USA (1996, 2000, 2004).
Staley’s coaching career began in 2000 at Temple, while she was still actively playing in the WNBA. She spent eight seasons with the Owls, leading them to six NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2008, she took over as the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, where she has cemented her place as one of the sport’s most respected coaches, achieving national titles in 2017, 2022, and 2024. Her success is a testament to her deep understanding of the game, her ability to motivate and develop players, and her unwavering commitment to excellence.
Kara Lawson: From Lady Vol to Blue Devil Leader
Kara Lawson, the current head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, shares a similar pedigree. Before leading Duke, she was a standout player under the legendary Pat Summitt at Tennessee. During her time with the Lady Volunteers, Lawson experienced one Sweet Sixteen appearance (2001), one Final Four appearance (2002), and two national championship game appearances, although Tennessee lost both title games to UConn.
Lawson was selected fifth overall by the Detroit Shock in 2003 but was immediately traded to the Sacramento Monarchs. She played a crucial role in the Monarchs’ 2005 WNBA championship run. Lawson earned an All-Star nod in 2007 and secured a gold medal with Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she scored a team-high 15 points in the gold-medal game against Australia.
Before taking the helm at Duke in 2020, Lawson gained coaching experience as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics (2019-2020), further broadening her basketball perspective. Her unique blend of playing and coaching experience at both the collegiate and professional levels makes her a formidable leader for the Blue Devils.
Niele Ivey: Fighting Irish Legend Leading the Charge
Niele Ivey, now the head coach of Notre Dame, knows the pinnacle of college basketball. She led the Fighting Irish to their first NCAA women’s national championship in 2001 as a player under then-head coach Muffet McGraw and was named to the All-Tournament team.
Ivey’s success translated into a professional career, as she was selected by the Indiana Fever in the second round of the 2001 WNBA draft with the 19th overall pick. She spent five years in the league before transitioning to coaching.
Ivey’s coaching journey began at Xavier as an assistant (2005-07). She then returned to her alma mater as an assistant under McGraw (2007–19), immersing herself in the culture and strategies that defined Notre Dame’s success. In 2020, Ivey took over as head coach after McGraw retired, inheriting a program steeped in tradition and aiming to continue its legacy of excellence. Her experience as a championship-winning player and a long-time assistant coach has uniquely prepared her for the challenges of leading the Fighting Irish. As a fun fact, Ivey is the mother of son Jaden Ivey, who was drafted fifth overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2022.
Brooke Wyckoff: Seminole Star Guiding Her Alma Mater
Brooke Wyckoff, the head coach of Florida State, embodies the Seminole spirit. She was a star forward at Florida State, earning ACC All-Defensive Team honors in 2000 and 2001.
Wyckoff was drafted with the 26th overall pick of the 2001 WNBA draft by the Orlando Miracle and spent time with the Connecticut Sun (after the team moved from Orlando) and Chicago Sky during her eight-year career. She notably hit a 3-pointer with two seconds left in Game 2 of the 2005 WNBA Finals between the Sun and the Monarchs to send the game to overtime. The Sun won the game, but ultimately lost the championship series, 3-1.
After retiring in 2009 due to an ACL injury, Wyckoff transitioned into coaching. She joined her alma mater as an assistant coach under her former head coach, Sue Semrau. Wyckoff was named interim head coach of the Florida State women’s basketball team during the 2020-21 season when Semrau took a leave of absence. In 2022, she became the Seminoles’ full-time head coach when Semrau retired, solidifying her commitment to the program and the university.
A Unique Perspective
These coaches, with their dual experience as WNBA players and collegiate leaders, bring a distinctive perspective to their teams. They understand the nuances of the game at the highest level, the dedication required to succeed, and the pressures that players face. Their firsthand experience provides them with invaluable insight into player development, game strategy, and team dynamics.
As the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament unfolds, keep an eye on these coaches and their teams. Their unique journeys and wealth of experience will undoubtedly shape the competition and contribute to the excitement of March Madness. Their presence is a testament to the growing interconnectedness of women’s basketball at all levels and the impact that former players can have on shaping the future of the game. These leaders inspire the next generation, demonstrating that success on the court can translate into success on the sideline.
