The Mavericks find themselves at the center of a headline-grabbing coaching rumor: Christian Clark of The Athletic reports Dallas might interview South Carolina coach Dawn Staley for the open head coach job after Jason Kidd’s exit. Masai Ujiri’s influence in the search adds weight to the chatter, and local voices like Jeff Kolb and Ethan Herrera on FOX 4 have already started debating what a Staley pursuit would mean for the franchise and the NBA. Other names — Becky Hammon, Sean Sweeney, Jon Scheyer, Micah Nori, Thiago Splitter and more — are also in the mix as Dallas weighs experience, fit, and how a leader handles Luka Dončić. This article walks through the rumor, Staley’s background, other contenders, and what the vacancy means in Dallas.
The Athletic’s Christian Clark passed along an NBA executive’s line that it “wouldn’t be shocking” if the Mavericks wanted to talk to Dawn Staley. Staley has led South Carolina since 2008, building a powerhouse program and collecting three national titles along the way. Her college resume reads like sustained excellence, with 511 wins against 113 losses that force any front office to at least consider her track record. For teams that prize leadership and program-building, those numbers carry serious weight.
Staley doesn’t have pro coaching experience, and that’s the main friction point for many NBA decision-makers. Hiring her would also make history — she would become the first female head coach in NBA history — and that prospect naturally expands the conversation beyond Xs and Os. The idea taps into broader questions about opportunity in pro hoops and what organizations are ready to back beyond conventional resumes.
Shortly after her Knicks interview, Staley said on a podcast that she believes “no NBA team is ready for a female coach right now.” That quote has trailed her through speculation and highlights how she views the current league climate. It also frames the practical side of any potential hire: what institutional support and culture shift would a franchise need to make a nontraditional pick succeed? Those are real considerations for a team with championship aspirations.
Masai Ujiri’s history of opening the door for women in coaching conversations gives this rumor added texture. During his Toronto Raptors tenure he interviewed Becky Hammon for the head coaching job, signaling he’s willing to evaluate nontraditional candidates. That throughline from Hammon to Staley suggests some front offices are at least willing to test boundaries when assembling staff, and Ujiri’s involvement in Dallas’ search amplifies that possibility.
The Mavericks created the vacancy on May 19 when they decided to move on from Jason Kidd, and that departure set off a wide scouting sweep. Kidd’s exit leaves a high-profile job in a hot market that expects wins and demands chemistry with Luka Dončić. That pairing — a strong-willed star and a front office chasing a championship window — means the next coach’s profile will be scrutinized for both tactical chops and how they handle elite talent.
Christian Clark’s story doesn’t stop with Staley. The Mavericks’ list reportedly includes college and pro assistants and recent head coaches: Sean Sweeney from San Antonio, Duke’s Jon Scheyer, Micah Nori of Minnesota, and Portland’s interim guide Thiago Splitter, among others. Each candidate brings something different: NBA familiarity, college development ties, or recent head coaching proof that could translate into results fast. Dallas is clearly keeping the search wide rather than locking into a single profile.
Sean Sweeney has Dallas ties from his time with Jason Kidd’s staff and recent Spurs coverage placed him around Victor Wembanyama headlines, showing his proximity to current NBA conversations. That kind of continuity could appeal to a front office that wants a smooth transition and familiarity with the roster. For some executives, keeping a level of tactical continuity while modernizing approach is a sensible middle ground.
Jon Scheyer’s name carries the college-to-pro development angle, especially after coaching Cooper Flagg during his year at Duke. Scheyer fits the prototype of a coach who can manage young talent and draw from a strong program pedigree. The question for any college hire is always how their leadership and schemes will translate to an NBA locker room full of professionals.
Micah Nori’s multiple interview experiences give him a polished candidacy, well-versed in what teams want during the hiring process. Thiago Splitter brings a different case: a former Spurs player who steadied Portland as interim head coach and led them into the playoffs after a rocky stretch. That recent head-coaching track record is attractive to teams that want minimal ramp-up time and proven leadership under pressure.
Names like Becky Hammon, Cooper Flagg, Sean Sweeney, Jon Scheyer, Micah Nori, Thiago Splitter, and Dawn Staley keep circulating as Dallas explores its next leader. Local commentators Jeff Kolb and Ethan Herrera have already started weighing how any choice could alter the Mavericks’ identity and on-court direction. For a franchise chasing big expectations, the decision will hinge on balancing historic possibilities, practical experience, and immediate fit with Luka Dončić’s championship timeline.
