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South Carolina, Ole Miss Women's Basketball Coaches Make History on ESPN's College GameDay
First time the show will feature two Black head coaches for a women's basketball game
Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:05am
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ESPN's 'College GameDay' will be in Columbia, South Carolina for the top-20 matchup between No. 3 South Carolina women's basketball and No. 17 Ole Miss. This will mark the first time both teams featured have Black head coaches - Dawn Staley of South Carolina and Yolett McPhee-McCuin (Coach Yo) of Ole Miss.
Why it matters
The appearance on College GameDay is a significant milestone for women's basketball, as it highlights the growing representation of Black coaches at the highest levels of the sport. This visibility can inspire young girls to dream big and pursue coaching careers.
The details
South Carolina (26-2, 12-1 SEC) and Ole Miss (21-7, 8-5) are two of the top teams in the SEC and the country. The pre-game show will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Feb. 22 for a noon tip, broadcast on ESPN. College GameDay started its women's basketball version in 2010, took a break, and resumed in 2023. This will be the fourth time the Gamecocks have hosted the show, the most of any women's program.
- The College GameDay broadcast will take place on February 22, 2026.
- South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is in her 18th season with the Gamecocks.
- Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin (Coach Yo) has taken the Rebels to four NCAA Tournaments, with five 20-win seasons in eight years.
The players
Dawn Staley
The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, who has led the program for 18 seasons.
Yolett McPhee-McCuin (Coach Yo)
The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels women's basketball team, who has taken the program to four NCAA Tournaments in her eight-year tenure.
What they’re saying
“Damn in 2026 we're still making history like that.”
— Dawn Staley, South Carolina Head Coach
“If I need her, I can still call. For our team, I think that's amazing, I know Columbia will show out.”
— Yolett McPhee-McCuin (Coach Yo), Ole Miss Head Coach
“Young girls can watch this game and see us at 'GameDay,' see the two coaches on the sideline and as far as representation goes, dream big in terms of 'Oh I could be a coach, I could be on TV, I could be a player' and I think that's why representation is so important.”
— Andraya Carter, College GameDay Host
What’s next
The highly anticipated matchup between South Carolina and Ole Miss will take place on February 22, 2026 at noon ET, with the College GameDay pre-game show beginning at 11 a.m. ET.
The takeaway
This historic College GameDay appearance featuring two Black women's basketball head coaches is a significant milestone for the sport, inspiring young girls and showcasing the growing diversity and representation in coaching at the highest levels of the game.
