Dawn Staley’s dog, Champ, has become nearly as well-known as the South Carolina women’s basketball coach herself. Champ frequently accompanies Staley to practices, press conferences, and games, often seen in the arena on game days.
Last year, during Staley’s second-round press conference at Colonial Life Arena, Champ made an appearance on the table. Staley joked that Champ would not be answering media questions since he didn’t have a nameplate. The moment quickly went viral on Twitter.
Nearly a year later, Champ finally received his own nameplate, thanks to Tennessee Tech head coach Kim Rosamond and her two dogs, Dolly and Dean. Although Champ did not join Staley at the podium during Thursday’s pregame press conference, preferring to sit behind the table, Staley made sure to take a photo of Champ with his new placard afterward.
“I think, as dog lovers, our pets come first, just like Champ,” Staley said with a smile. “It was a pretty cool gesture. I’ve known Kim for a long time. She’s coached in this league, and I’m super happy for her. I’m over the top that she would extend such a nice gift to my boy.”
Rosamond’s dogs, Dolly and Dean, did not travel with Tennessee Tech to Columbia. “Due to their high demand media requests these days, Dolly and Dean will not be attending the press conference,” Rosamond joked. “They weren’t able to come, so we are going to let Champ have his day. Dean was looking forward to marking his territory, but we’re going to let Champ have his day.”
While the dogs may not have a close relationship, the coaches share a longstanding friendship and mutual respect. Rosamond expressed admiration for Staley’s coaching achievements and style.
The two coaches also share connections through the SEC. Rosamond played at Ole Miss from 1993 to 1998 and watched Staley, who played at Virginia from 1988 to 1992, during her high school years. Rosamond also saw Staley’s rise firsthand while serving as an assistant at Vanderbilt from 2007 to 2016.
“What I love about what they’ve done now is that they’ve adapted modern basketball — the speed, size, skill, the transfer portal, NIL — while blending it with old-school toughness and discipline,” Rosamond said. “I love the way their teams play. I love how they honor and respect the game and the opponent.”
