Alabama Urged to Finally Hire Dawn Staley as Coach
Kristy Curry’s abrupt departure from Alabama has left the program at a crossroads. Curry, 59, left this week to become head coach at South Florida, a mid-major program.
Curry arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2013 from Texas Tech. She compiled a 245-173 overall record and went 88-120 in SEC play. Her teams reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons. Alabama advanced to the second round in each of the last three tournaments.
Legacy and context
Curry stabilized a program that had struggled after Rick Moody’s 2005 retirement. Stephany Smith went 27-61 with a 4-39 SEC mark. Wendell Hudson finished 68-87 overall and 14-64 in conference games.
Under Curry, Alabama snapped a 42-game losing streak to Tennessee. The Tide have beaten the Vols eight times in the last 16 meetings.
Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne called Curry’s tenure “commendable” on social media. The comment suggested there may be more behind the move.
Why Dawn Staley is in the conversation
There is growing urging for Alabama to finally bring Dawn Staley aboard as coach. Supporters argue she would transform the program quickly.
Staley was briefly a candidate for the Alabama job in 2005. She interviewed with then-AD Mal Moore while in her fifth year at Temple. At that time, she said she did not feel a cultural fit for the region.
Since then, Staley has become one of college basketball’s most decorated coaches. Her résumé includes three national championships, six National Coach of the Year awards, seven Final Four appearances, and 10 league titles, including this season.
Recent achievements and contract
In January 2025, Staley signed a four-year extension worth $25.25 million. The deal runs through the 2029-30 season. Her base pay was $4 million in the first year, with $250,000 annual raises.
The contract includes a buyout equal to the remaining salary. The estimated remaining cost was roughly $9.5 million at the time of reporting.
Staley’s Gamecocks were the top seed and due to face No. 4 Oklahoma in the 2026 Sweet 16.
Financial and practical considerations
Persuading Staley would require a competitive financial package. One suggested benchmark was parity with Nate Oats’s 2025 salary of $5.6 million. Advocates recommended a clause to match any future raises for fairness.
Supporters also argued Staley could be offered either the men’s or women’s program, should the administration pursue an unconventional move.
Other coaching options
- Joni Taylor — former Alabama player, currently head coach at Texas A&M.
- Dawn E. Thornton — Alabama A&M coach whose team won the SWAC regular-season title. Her former Arkansas-Pine Bluff squad upset Arkansas.
- Megan Duffy — 42-22 record at Virginia Tech and a 196-89 career mark.
- Chanda Rigby — Troy head coach with a 280-165 record.
- Madonna Thompson — former Alabama player and long-time Shelton State coach with more than 750 career wins.
Those candidates offer homegrown ties and proven success. But none match Staley’s national profile and recruiting reach.
Voices urging action
Local and national observers urged Byrne to seize the moment. They said Curry built a base to elevate. The sudden vacancy presents a rare chance to chase a transformative hire.
Staley herself has reflected on growth since 2005. In Birmingham during the 2025 Sweet 16, she said she now better understands fit and presence. She added she promotes what “looks, sounds or feels great.”
The decision now rests with Alabama’s leadership. Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments and report on the search.
