Dawn Staley, the legendary head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, has never tied the knot. Despite rumors and speculation about her personal life, particularly regarding her relationship with longtime assistant coach Lisa Boyer, Staley has kept her private life firmly out of the spotlight.
The rumors began in 2018 when Staley posted a tweet celebrating her decade-long partnership with Boyer, calling them “that old married couple who started young and will grow old together.” Boyer responded in kind, tweeting, “What Dawnnie?!?! 10 years!!! Went by in a blink. Laughs, tears, joys, disappointments, and victories, BUT always shoulder to shoulder.”
The exchange sparked widespread speculation, but neither Staley nor Boyer has ever confirmed a romantic relationship. Instead, their bond has been defined by their incredible professional success, including three NCAA championships, six Final Four appearances, and eight SEC Tournament titles as of March 2025.
Dawn Staley Does Not Have a Wife—Here’s Why!
Lisa Boyer, the associate head coach of the Gamecocks since 2010, has been Staley’s right-hand woman for over two decades. Their partnership began in 2002 at Temple University, where Boyer joined Staley’s staff after initially refusing the job. Staley, relentless in her pursuit of excellence, convinced Boyer to come aboard, and the duo has been inseparable ever since.
Boyer, a trailblazer in her own right, was the first woman to work on an NBA coaching staff with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2001. At South Carolina, she transitioned from coaching guards to post players in the 2023-24 season, helping Kamilla Cardoso earn All-America honors and Ashlyn Watkins secure an All-SEC nod. Staley has repeatedly credited Boyer as the backbone of their program, calling her a “co-head coach” and praising her basketball IQ and tireless work ethic.
The rumors about Staley and Boyer’s relationship gained traction because of their undeniable chemistry, both on and off the court. Fans dissected their social media interactions, like Staley’s 2018 tweet, searching for clues about their personal lives. However, the truth is simpler: they are two fiercely dedicated coaches who have built one of the most dominant programs in college basketball history.
Their dynamic is rooted in mutual respect, shared vision, and an unshakable trust that transcends traditional coach-assistant roles. Staley once said, “When I want to not think about basketball, she’s always thinking about basketball. I know I would not have been as successful without her expertise.” Boyer, in turn, has described their journey as “a ton of fun,” emphasizing loyalty as the foundation of their partnership.
THE Dawn Michelle Staley & Lisa Boyer in the RR @dawnstaley @Coachboyer 💪🏽@GamecockWBB Championship Parade 🐔🤙🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/QktGK898Z6
— Shantel 💫❤️ (@ExquisiteLady_) April 15, 2024
Staley’s focus has always been on basketball, a passion that dates back to her childhood in Philadelphia’s Raymond Rosen housing projects. Born on May 4, 1970, she grew up playing pickup games at the Moylan Rec Center, now named after her late friend Hank Gathers. Her talent earned her respect in a neighborhood where gang affiliations often dictated who could play where.
By the time she led Dobbins Technical High School to a national ranking, she was already a local legend. At the University of Virginia, she became a two-time Naismith College Player of the Year and set NCAA records for steals. Her professional career included stints in the ABL, the WNBA, and overseas, followed by a Hall of Fame induction in 2013.
Since taking over at South Carolina in 2008, Staley has transformed the Gamecocks into a powerhouse. Her 2023-24 team finished a perfect 38-0, securing her third national title. Along the way, she’s become the highest-paid women’s college basketball coach, earning $4 million annually after her 2024 championship. Yet, despite her public persona, Staley guards her personal life closely. She’s never publicly dated anyone, and her social media rarely offers glimpses into her relationships outside of basketball. Even when pressed, she deflects questions about her love life, redirecting the conversation to her team, her players, or her mission to uplift Black coaches and athletes.
The speculation about Staley and Boyer reflects a broader curiosity about the private lives of public figures, especially women in sports. But their story isn’t about romance. It’s about two women who revolutionized a program, shattered ceilings, and redefined success. Boyer isn’t Staley’s spouse. She’s her ride-or-die, her basketball soulmate, the person who’s been there for every victory and every heartbreak. As Staley put it in that now-famous tweet, “You put the ride and die in the RIDE and DIE!” That’s the real nature of their relationship: a partnership forged in the fire of competition, built to last long after the final buzzer sounds.
Staley’s legacy extends far beyond her marital status. She’s a three-time Olympic gold medalist as a player, a gold medal-winning coach for Team USA in 2020, and the only person to win the Naismith Award as both a player and a coach. Her impact on South Carolina, both as a basketball icon and a community leader, is immeasurable. She’s advocated for racial justice, supported transgender athletes, and used her platform to amplify marginalized voices. Whether she’s walking the streets of Columbia, where a stretch of road bears her name, or returning to Philadelphia, where another street is dedicated to her, Staley’s influence is everywhere.
So, is Dawn Staley married? No. But her life is full of love—love for the game, love for her players, and love for the people who’ve stood by her side. Lisa Boyer is one of those people. Together, they’ve created something legendary, not as spouses, but as partners in a basketball revolution. And that, in the end, is the only answer that matters.
