South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley took to social media Monday morning after being discharged from the hospital following a frightening bout of severe food poisoning.
The beloved coach, known for her fierce leadership on the court and deep emotional connection to her players and fans, had been rushed to the emergency room over the weekend after reportedly falling ill during a private team event in Columbia. News of her sudden hospitalization sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, prompting an outpouring of support and prayer from Gamecocks faithful and sports figures nationwide.
“God Is Good”: Staley Speaks Out
Just hours after being released from care, Staley posted a video message on X (formerly Twitter), visibly tired but smiling.
“I’m okay now, y’all,” she began, her voice soft but steady. “That was one of the scariest experiences I’ve had in a long time. Food poisoning hit me hard out of nowhere, and I had to be hospitalized. But I’m out now, recovering at home, and so incredibly thankful for the love and prayers.”
She added, “God is good. I’m not one to complain, but this really reminded me how important it is to slow down sometimes. I love you all. Thank you to the hospital staff, my coaching team, and my girls — you know who you are — for holding things down while I rested up.”
Fans and Players Rally Behind Their Coach
The response to her post was immediate and overwhelming. Thousands of fans flooded the comments with heart emojis, prayers, and words of encouragement. “Coach, you scared us,” one user wrote. “We love you. Please take care of yourself — the Gamecock family needs you.”
South Carolina star players, including Chloe Kitts and Te-Hina Paopao, reposted the video and shared their own messages. Kitts wrote, “My coach, my heart. You’re the strongest woman I know.” Even rival coaches offered words of support, with LSU’s Kim Mulkey tweeting, “Wishing Coach Staley a full and speedy recovery. The game isn’t the same without her.”
A Critical Offseason Ahead
The timing of Staley’s illness came amid a crucial offseason for the South Carolina program. After a dominant 2024–25 campaign, the Gamecocks are gearing up for a new era, with several new recruits and WNBA draftees leaving gaps to be filled. Staley’s leadership remains pivotal in shaping the future of the team.
Insiders report that Staley had been attending a team-building dinner when symptoms began to appear. She initially brushed off the nausea as fatigue, but her condition quickly deteriorated overnight. A close staff member insisted on rushing her to the hospital, where doctors confirmed a severe case of food poisoning that required intravenous fluids and close observation.
