The Fourth Final shows what black coaches can do

SAN ANTONIO – The NCAA Women’s Final Four will feature two black coaches for the first time at Dawn Staley of South Carolina and Adia Barnes of Arizona, and after the 62-34 Elite Eight victory of their Gamecocks over Texas on Tuesday night Staley said he sends a message to sports directors across the country.

“There are so many black coaches out there who don’t get opportunities,” said Staley. “Because when the ADs don’t see it, they don’t see it. And they’ll see it on the biggest stage on Friday night.”

South Carolina, the number 1 seed in the Hemisfair region, will face Stanford overall number 1 in the Alamo region in a semifinal at 6 pm Eastern time. The seed from Market Region No. 3, Arizona, faces River Walk No. 1 UConn in the other semifinal at 9:30 pm. Both games are at Alamodome.

Staley and Barnes are also the only ex-WNBA players who took a team to the Women’s Final Four. Staley, 50, started her coaching career at Temple in 2000 and moved to South Carolina in 2008-09. Previously, she led Gamecocks to the Final Four in 2015 and 2017, winning the last for the program’s first national championship.

Barnes, 44, is in his fifth season in Arizona. She spoke on Monday after her team’s Elite Eight victory over Indiana about her admiration for Staley. The feeling is mutual, said Staley.

“I am very proud of Adia and I wanted that to happen,” said Staley. “I was hoping that she would do that. Not for any reason other than being represented on the biggest stage. Two black women representing two programs in the Final Four, something that has never been done before.

“Our history here in women’s basketball is full of so many black bodies, for this to happen in 2021, for me, it should have already happened,” said Staley. “We are proud, we are happy. I know that my cell phone is probably full of text messages from black coaches across the country just congratulating us for doing this, for being there, for being in the moment, for being able to take our programs to this place. “

Staley said the long careers of a professional player for her and Barnes also influence how they train.

“There will always be part of us,” said Staley. “And that is why our players – we identify with them so much. We did that. We are trying to help you get to that place.”

Three other black women trained in the Women’s Final Four. C. Vivian Stringer picked up three teams: Cheyney (1982), Iowa (1993) and Rutgers (2000, 2007). Carolyn Peck was the first black woman to win an NCAA championship, with Purdue in 1999. Pokey Chatman was with LSU (2005, 2006).

Two black men also led teams to the Women’s Final Four: Winthrop McGriff with Cheyney (1984) and Quentin Hillsman with Syracuse (2016).

“Representation is important,” said Staley. “Nothing against anyone who lost to us. But when you see two black women representing this way, I hope that the decision makers [notice]. Because there are many jobs out there.

“You give black women an opportunity. Bring them, interview them. If you don’t hire them, tell them why. So that we can continue to work on improving our craft and our profession. There are many people out there who are not having the opportunities they should be. Because this is exactly what can happen when you give a black woman a chance. “