Updated salaries and contract details for Dawn Staley’s South Carolina assistant coaches

South Carolina Women’s Basketball Staff Receive Extensions, Raises

Every assistant coach on Dawn Staley’s staff received a contract extension and pay raise in February, according to documents obtained by The State through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The move means the Gamecocks’ entire coaching bench—alongside Staley, who signed a $25.25 million extension through 2030 in January—will be back for the 2025–26 season, each with a bigger paycheck.

Assistant Coaches’ New Contracts

The previous deals for Lisa Boyer, Jolette Law, Mary Wooley, and Khadijah Sessions expired on March 31, 2025. Each is now signed through March 31, 2026. They were formally notified on Feb. 26, with new salaries taking effect Feb. 1.

• Lisa Boyer: $512,600 (up from $432,600)

• Jolette Law: $353,992 (up from $319,042)

• Mary Wooley: $227,520 (up from $189,262)

• Khadijah Sessions: $85,125 (up from $50,000)

In total, $188,333 in raises were distributed to Staley’s assistants. Boyer remains the highest-paid assistant, earning an $80,000 raise. Her salary would rank 57th among head coaches in USA Today’s women’s basketball database, though the list is outdated.

New Hire: Wendale Farrow

Wendale Farrow joined Staley’s staff on April 18 and signed his contract April 22. His deal runs through March 31, 2026, with an annual salary of $400,000, making him the second-highest-paid assistant.

Farrow replaced Winston Gandy (now Grand Canyon’s head coach), who earned $268,406 last season. His contract includes:

• NCAA Tournament bonus: one month’s base salary

• Final Four bonus: one month’s base salary

• Up to $20,000 in moving expenses

• Option for a courtesy car or monthly auto stipend

Support Staff Extensions

Several other USC staff members also received extensions and raises, with contracts now running through March 31, 2026:

• Ariana Moore (Director of Operations): $205,875 (up from $162,225)

• Tracy Murphy (Assistant Director of Operations): $72,350

• Freddy Ready (Director of Player Development): $113,466 (up from $86,520)

• Hudson Jacobs (Director of Women’s Basketball Video Services): $118,466

• Diane Palmer (Special Assistant to the Head Coach): $88,937 (up from $81,112)

Most were notified Feb. 26; Ready received his notice March 13.

Note: Director of Sports Performance Molly Binetti and athletic trainer Craig Oates are under contract through June 30, 2025, so any changes to their deals were not included in the FOIA documents.