As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament tips off, the excitement of March Madness is bringing out some playful moments between coaches — and their pets.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley and Tennessee Tech head coach Kim Rosamond are set to lead their teams into a first-round matchup on Friday afternoon, but it was their dogs who briefly stole the spotlight ahead of the game.
On Tuesday, Tennessee Tech’s women’s basketball team posted a lighthearted message on X, featuring a photo of Rosamond with her dogs, Dolly and Dean. The image showed NCAA nameplates for each dog — and one for Staley’s dog, Champ, who became a familiar face during last year’s tournament.
“Champ, we have you covered for Thursday’s press conference,” the post read. “Nameplate is on its way to Columbia with our mom!”
Staley quickly responded with appreciation, writing, “Thank you my fur friends… @ChampStaley will be in the building and will be front and center behind his nameplate! Good lookin.”
Staley’s Gamecocks, the No. 1 seed in their region, will face No. 16 seed Tennessee Tech in Columbia, South Carolina. South Carolina enters the tournament with a 30-3 record, while Tennessee Tech arrives with a 26-5 mark.
The game is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. ET at Colonial Life Arena and will be broadcast on ESPN, with streaming available via ESPN+ and Fubo.
While the focus remains on competition, the coaches’ friendly exchange added a charming touch to the high-stakes environment of March Madness.
