Dawn Staley Expects More Success From UK, Kenny Brooks

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South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has been to seven Final Fours since 2015 and won three national championships. Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks left Virginia Tech to coach in the SEC last year because he believed he could win a national title.

Brooks called Kentucky a “sleeping giant” when he took the job.

“I don’t think most people outside of Kenny’s comment would think they’re a sleeping giant. Kentucky is Kentucky. Kentucky is a brand, right?” Staley said at the recent SEC Media Days. “I think he walked into a situation where people love to be a part of Big Blue Nation.

“I think he’s done extremely well his first year. I think he’ll continue to do so in our league. We look forward to what was a rivalry. That was the team that we played twice every year. We don’t have that situation anymore. Certainly look forward to the asset he’s become in our league.”

Kentucky finished fourth in the SEC in Brooks’ first season and lost All-American guard Georgia Amoore along with guard Dazia Lawrence. However, Brooks likes the team he has this year led by junior Clara Strack, the returning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, that will open the season tonight against Morehead.

“Probably the tallest team I’ve ever been able to coach. We’re going to try to use that strength to our advantage,” Brooks said. “I think we have the pieces and tools to go out there and compete with everybody as long as we build our chemistry.”

Staley understands the new revenue sharing plans will impact building chemistry and rosters for every school in different ways.

“You have to be creative in this space. I certainly don’t over promise when it comes to rev share and NIL. I’m only going to spread it out with what we have in hand, not necessarily trying to go out and get it,” Staley said. “You lose some recruits in that regard. If it’s all about the money, right, they’re a lot cheaper the second time around, so I’m okay with letting them go.”