Following South Carolina’s tough loss to UConn in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship, head coach Dawn Staley didn’t hold back. In a powerful and emotional statement, Staley said, “I hope they’re crying,” making it clear that she wanted her players to truly feel the pain of defeat. Her message was not meant to discourage, but rather to push her team to use this moment as fuel for growth and redemption.
Staley, who has led South Carolina to national titles and built one of the premier programs in the country, emphasized that heartbreak is part of the journey to greatness. She wanted her players to embrace the emotion of losing—not to wallow in it, but to remember what it feels like. That emotional weight, she believes, will drive them to work harder, train smarter, and come back stronger. To her, crying is a sign of passion, of caring deeply about the game and about their collective goals.
The loss to UConn ended South Carolina’s perfect season and hopes for a championship. Despite their dominant year, the defeat served as a stark reminder that nothing is guaranteed. Staley reminded her players that success is earned every step of the way and that setbacks can be powerful motivators if handled correctly.
Her post-game message wasn’t just about one game—it was about the long road of competition and the lessons it teaches. In Staley’s eyes, pain is temporary, but the hunger it creates can define a team’s legacy.
