Jon Scheyer, Dawn Staley Both Emerging For NBA Job Openings

Two prominent college basketball coaches are emerging for head coaching jobs in the NBA right now.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley have both been mentioned for head coaching vacancies.

The Dallas Mavericks have perhaps the most sought-after opening. The Mavericks, which feature former No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd last week. The Mavs have been pursuing some top names, including Scheyer.

"Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney is expected to draw serious interest from the Mavericks after they parted ways with Jason Kidd," Brett Siegel reported.

"Dallas is also expected to reach out to Duke HC Jon Scheyer, but he is committed to his current position, sources said."

But Scheyer isn't the only big name on the list. Dallas is also expected to make a run at Dawn Staley.

"Staley, the WNBA great and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, has won three national championships in her 18-year run as South Carolina women's basketball coach," Christian Clark said. "Last summer, the Knicks interviewed her for their head coaching job, and Staley said she would have accepted the post if offered… One NBA executive told The Athletic that it wouldn't be shocking if the Mavericks wanted to interview Staley."

Staley doesn't see herself landing an NBA job, though

Staley has made it clear that if she's offered an NBA job, she thinks she'd "have" to accept it. She was linked to the Knicks job last year.

"I would have had to do it," Staley said on the "Post Moves" podcast in April. "Not just for me. For women. To break (that door) open. I would have had to. It's the New York Knicks."

However, Staley doesn't believe that an NBA locker room is ready for a female head coach.

"But I'll say this, no NBA team is ready for a female coach right now." 

Time will tell.

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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 9:02 AM.