Kim Mulkey and Dawn Staley are among the best head coaches in the sport. Both seem entrenched at their current jobs at LSU and South Carolina. But one writer is suggesting that they could emerge as “Hail Mary” candidates for new jobs.
Rutgers has fired women’s basketball coach Coquese Washington after four years, athletic director Keli Zinn announced on Monday
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“I want to thank Coquese for her service to Rutgers and wish her the best,” Zinn said.
“Rutgers women’s basketball has a proud and storied history of success and there is no reason why our program cannot return to its place among the nation’s elite. We have invested in women’s basketball in many ways, we compete in the best athletic conference in the country, and we are supported by passionate fans and loyal donors. I am confident we will find the right coach who can elevate this program to where it belongs.”
Rutgers could be aiming big, too.
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 04: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on in the third quarter against the Texas Longhorns in the Final Four game of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on April 04, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
(Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
NJ Advance Media’s Brian Fonseca suggested Mulkey and Staley could both emerge for the job – albeit as “Hail Mary” candidates.
There’s history with both, though.
“Zinn and Rutgers President William Tate know the legendary head coach well after watching her win an NCAA Tournament and win over 100 games across time together in Baton Rouge. But because Mulkey is one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport, she has the biggest contract in the country,” Fonseca wrote.
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He added of Staley: “Staley signed a massive extension in January of 2025 that runs through the 2029-30 season and will pay her over $4 million a year on average, making her the most well-paid coach in the sport.
“Of course, Rutgers should send out feelers to the Philadelphia native, who is a close friend of Stringer. Though it would take an unprecedented series of events (and financial commitment) for the Scarlet Knights to get Staley, it never hurts to ask.”
We can tell you right now: this isn’t happening.
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But that’s not stopping them from being mentioned, apparently.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
