Kristy Curry has laid a strong foundation for Alabama women's basketball. Since stepping in after Rick Moody's retirement and following challenging periods under Stephany Smith and Wendell Hudson, Curry has stabilized the program.
Arriving from Texas Tech in 2013, she amassed a solid 245-173 record, with an 88-120 mark in the SEC, and led the Tide to the NCAA tournament for four consecutive seasons, reaching the second round in the last three. Her teams even broke a 42-game losing streak against Tennessee, winning 8 of their last 16 matchups.
Now, Curry, at 59, has made a surprising move to South Florida, leaving Alabama with a unique opportunity. Athletic Director Greg Byrne acknowledged her tenure as “commendable,” hinting at potential underlying reasons for her departure.
This opens the door for Byrne to elevate Alabama's program even further. The ideal candidate?
Dawn Staley. She's a powerhouse in the basketball world, with accolades including three national championships, six National Coach of the Year awards, and seven Final Four appearances.
Staley's influence extends beyond the court as a respected leader and advocate for Black women in sports.
Back in 2005, Staley was a top contender for the Alabama job but ultimately stayed at Temple. The Southern atmosphere didn't resonate with her then, but times have changed. Now, she's a seasoned coach, confident in her role and influence.
Currently, Staley is focused on leading her top-seeded Gamecocks in the Sweet 16. Luring her to Alabama won't be easy-or cheap. Her recent contract extension with South Carolina makes her the highest-paid women's coach, with a buyout clause of around $9.5 million.
To entice Staley, Byrne would need to offer a competitive salary, perhaps matching Nate Oats’s $5.6 million. Staley's worth every penny, and her potential impact on either the men's or women's program would be monumental.
Byrne has other options, too, like Joni Taylor at Texas A&M, Dawn E. Thornton from Alabama A&M, Megan Duffy at Virginia Tech, Chanda Rigby at Troy, or Madonna Thompson from Shelton State. But none match the stature of Staley, who could transform Alabama basketball like Nick Saban did for football.
The opportunity is ripe. It's time to make the call and bring Staley to Tuscaloosa. This could be a game-changer.