Dawn Staley, the legendary head coach of the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team, left bystanders speechless with her response to a homeless man’s request.

What started as a seemingly ordinary interaction on the streets of Charleston quickly turned into a powerful display of empathy and humanity.

It was a typical afternoon in Charleston, South Carolina, when Dawn Staley, on her way to a local coffee shop, encountered a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk. The man, in his late 40s, with weathered clothes and a tired expression, approached Staley with a simple request: “Can you give me $1?”.

At first glance, it seemed like just another encounter between a passerby and someone struggling with homelessness, a situation many people encounter every day. However, what happened next would surprise anyone who witnessed it.

Staley, known for her fierce competitive spirit on the court, is equally celebrated for her advocacy off the court, particularly in the areas of social justice and community outreach. In response to the man’s request, instead of just offering money—an act many might consider a quick fix—Staley did something far more profound.

Without hesitation, Staley crouched down to the man’s level, looking him directly in the eye. “I’m not going to give you $1,” she said, her voice calm but firm. The homeless man, perhaps taken aback by her directness, looked puzzled.

“But what I will do,” Staley continued, “is listen to your story. I want to know how you got here, what you really need, and what I can do to help beyond just giving you a dollar.”

The man paused, clearly moved by the attention and respect Staley was offering him. For a moment, it seemed like the world around them had slowed down as people who were walking by stopped to watch. A few onlookers even began to pull out their phones, sensing something extraordinary was unfolding.

“Sometimes,” Staley went on, “it’s easy to give money, but that doesn’t change your situation in the long term. I want to help you in a way that lasts. Maybe I can connect you with someone who can offer you the resources you really need.”

What followed was a conversation that lasted for several minutes. The man, whose name was later identified as Charles, shared that he had been struggling with addiction and unemployment for years, and that he was living in a shelter a few blocks away. He admitted he had been asking for money to buy a meal but had long felt like people saw him only as a “beggar,” not as a person.

“I can’t even remember the last time someone just talked to me like a human being,” Charles said quietly, his eyes welling with emotion.

Dawn Staley listened intently, offering words of encouragement and suggestions. She promised to help connect him with local shelters and outreach programs that could offer more than just a handout. She also gave him a business card with the contact information for several community organizations, urging him to reach out for more comprehensive assistance.

“I believe in second chances,” Staley told him, “and I believe everyone has the potential to turn their life around. I’m going to do what I can to make sure you’re not forgotten.”

The interaction between Staley and Charles quickly went viral after bystanders shared videos and accounts of the event on social media. Many were shocked—not just by Staley’s kindness, but by the way she chose to handle the situation. In an age where it’s often easier to give a dollar and walk away, Staley’s decision to invest her time and energy into truly understanding the needs of someone in crisis left an indelible mark on all who witnessed it.

“I thought I knew who Dawn Staley was—an incredible basketball coach,” said one social media user. “But this? This is leadership in its truest form. She’s teaching us all a lesson in empathy.”

Others took to social media to express their admiration for Staley’s holistic approach to helping others. “A dollar might feed someone for a day,” wrote another user, “but treating them with dignity, listening to their story, and offering real help can change the trajectory of their life.”

This moment was not an anomaly for Staley, who has long been known for using her platform to advocate for social justice, racial equality, and community empowerment. As a coach, Staley has consistently used her success to raise awareness about issues affecting marginalized communities, particularly women and people of color. Her charitable work includes initiatives supporting youth education, addiction recovery, and economic empowerment.

In 2020, Staley was recognized for her contributions to social justice and was awarded the “Social Responsibility Award” by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. Her commitment to improving the lives of others extends far beyond the basketball court, and this latest act of kindness further cemented her reputation as a role model and a change agent.

“I don’t do these things for recognition,” Staley said in a follow-up interview. “I do them because I know what it’s like to struggle, to need help, and to feel invisible. If I can offer someone even a small bit of hope or encouragement, then I’ve done something worthwhile.”

Dawn Staley addresses importance of having WNBA, NBA clause in her new contract

University of South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley yells to her team during the first half of action against Oklahoma in the Colonial Life Arena on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (Tracy Glantz/[email protected])

Dawn Staley became the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball when she signed a new contract with South Carolina on Friday.

The extension bumped her pay from $3.2 million to $4 million this year and will see her annual compensation rise to $5.25 million at the end of the contract in 2029-2030.

One of the highlights of the new contract was an updated buyout section. If Staley decides to leave South Carolina she would owe the university 100% of the remaining compensation left on her deal through 2030.

If Staley left for a head coaching job in the NBA or WNBA though, she would owe USC nothing. After South Carolina’s 101-60 win over Oklahoma Sunday, Staley was asked why it was important to have that clause in her contract.

“I don’t know, I might up and leave,” Staley joked.

Staley went on to say she has no plans of leaving South Carolina and that the updated buyout was a result of a “give and take” in negotiations.

“You gotta have something, it’s a give and take,” Staley said. “It was important for me to have a guaranteed contract. It’s important. But in having a guaranteed contract, you got to give (USC) something.”

Staley has built South Carolina into a perennial contender during her tenure. The Gamecocks have tallied three national titles, eight SEC championships and over 450 wins under Staley.

Naturally, that sort of success leads to suitors from every level of basketball. Regardless, Staley reaffirmed she has no plans to leave South Carolina for any other job – regardless of what level it’s at.

“I would never leave here to go take another college job,” Staley said. “It’s nothing– like I have the best of the best here. And I really don’t have any– I don’t have a passion for the next level. I don’t. I would have been gone. Like, seriously.”