Dawn Staley, the renowned basketball coach and trailblazer, is celebrated for her poise and leadership, both on and off the court. Recently, she showcased her unwavering character when an unexpected incident occurred at one of her luxury restaurants, leaving both patrons and staff stunned.
Staley, known for her humility, decided to visit her upscale restaurant under the radar, hoping for a quiet dinner while observing the service. Dressed casually, without any fanfare, she took a seat at a corner table, casually scanning the menu. However, her unpretentious appearance led to an unfortunate misjudgment by a hasty waiter.
The waiter approached her table with an air of disdain, barely making eye contact. “Are you sure you’re in the right place?” he sneered, glancing at her modest attire. Surprised but composed, Staley politely responded, “I believe I am.”
The waiter continued with curt remarks and a clear lack of attention, evidently prioritizing wealthier-looking patrons. Rather than causing a scene, Staley remained calm, observing not only how she was treated but also how other guests were served.
When the bill came, the waiter handed it to her with a smirk, muttering, “Next time, this place might be out of your budget.” The comment echoed through the restaurant, catching the attention of nearby diners.
Staley simply smiled and requested to speak with the manager. Moments later, a flustered manager arrived, quickly recognizing her. The waiter’s face shifted from smugness to shock as he realized he had just insulted the owner of the establishment.
Staley handled the situation with grace. She addressed the waiter directly, saying, “Everyone deserves respect, regardless of what they look like or what assumptions you make about them. This isn’t just my restaurant; it’s a place where kindness and hospitality should be the standard.”
Instead of firing the waiter immediately, Staley chose to offer him a second chance, instructing the manager to implement new staff training focused on respect and customer service. “People can change when given the opportunity,” she explained.
The story quickly went viral as diners shared the incident online, praising Staley for her patience and leadership. By turning a moment of disrespect into an opportunity for learning, Staley once again proved she is not only a coach but a role model for others.
In a separate conversation, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson voiced her thoughts on Staley’s commitment to college coaching, particularly Staley’s decision not to pursue a WNBA career.
Last week, Staley, the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks and a three-time NCAA champion, signed a historic contract extension with the Gamecocks, keeping her in place through at least the 2030 season. This contract will pay her a base salary of $4 million, with an annual increase of $250,000, along with a $500,000 signing bonus.
Given Staley’s exceptional success, it’s no surprise that she has been a prime target for WNBA teams in need of new coaching talent. However, in an interview on January 19, Staley made it clear that her future lies with college basketball, not the pros.
“I would never leave here to go take another college job,” Staley said, referencing a clause in her contract that allows her to leave for the NBA or WNBA without a fee. “I have the best of the best here. And I don’t have a passion for the next level. I don’t. If I did, I would’ve left already,” she added, referring to the clause as just “something fancy” to address the question.
While Staley’s loyalty to South Carolina is admirable, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, who was coached by Staley at South Carolina, jokingly called out Staley for her reluctance to coach in the WNBA.
“We get itttttt you don’t wanna come to the W 😒🙄,” Wilson humorously wrote in a reply to Staley’s comments on Monday.
Although Wilson’s comment was made in jest, it’s clear that she would love to have Staley back in some capacity on the Aces’ coaching staff.
