Riley Gaines Rips South Carolina Basketball Coach Over Trans Athlete Stance: ‘Incompetent or a Sellout’
Former NCAA swimmer and outspoken women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines is once again making headlines — this time, setting her sights on one of college basketball’s most powerful voices. Gaines publicly called out South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley, blasting her recent comments defending the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports as “either incompetence or outright sellout behavior.”
The fiery statement came during an interview on a conservative podcast, where Gaines was asked to weigh in on the growing controversy around transgender participation in female collegiate athletics.
“When someone like Coach Staley, who has so much influence, stands up and says men should be allowed to compete against women, it’s either pure incompetence or she’s sold out to an agenda that betrays everything women’s sports stands for,” Gaines said.
What Sparked the Clash
The conflict stems from comments Coach Dawn Staley made in April, when she was asked whether she supports transgender women (biological males) competing in women’s sports. Her response was clear:
“If they say they’re a woman, they’re a woman. And they should be able to play.”
The statement set off a firestorm across social media and sports commentary circles — but Gaines’ latest remarks have reignited the debate with even more intensity.
Gaines: “We’re Erasing Women”
Gaines, who became a national figure after tying with trans swimmer Lia Thomas in the 2022 NCAA Championships, has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of what she calls the “erasure of women’s sports.”
She claims that influential figures like Staley are using their platforms to “normalize unfair advantages,” and putting political correctness above female athletes’ rights.
“These aren’t just opinions. These are decisions that impact scholarships, titles, and the integrity of competition,” Gaines said. “Coach Staley wouldn’t coach a team of women against LeBron James, so why is she okay with biological males taking over women’s categories?”
Backlash & Support
Staley, known for her advocacy on racial and gender equity, has not responded directly to Gaines’ recent comments, but supporters of the coach say she is simply standing for inclusion and the evolving understanding of gender identity in sports.
Critics, however, argue that Staley’s position betrays female athletes who train for years only to compete on what they view as an unequal playing field.
Online reactions are predictably polarized:
@SaveWomensSports: “Riley Gaines is spot on. Coach Staley is either ignoring the science or bowing to the woke mob.”
@EqualityNow: “Staley’s courage to support trans athletes deserves praise, not hate. We stand with her.”
The Bigger Picture
This latest war of words is just one skirmish in a broader cultural and legal battle playing out across the U.S. As more states propose legislation to limit or ban trans participation in women’s sports, prominent voices like Gaines and Staley are shaping the public debate.
Meanwhile, the NCAA and other governing bodies continue to face pressure from both sides — with no clear resolution in sight.
What’s Next for Gaines?
Riley Gaines shows no signs of backing down. She recently joined Roseanne Barr’s new Fox morning show for a recurring segment, and she’s rumored to be launching a media platform focused on women’s sports advocacy. She’s also spoken before Congress and has become a regular guest on major conservative media outlets.
“This isn’t about hate,” Gaines said. “It’s about fairness. And if powerful coaches want to ignore that, they need to be called out — no matter who they are.”
Final Thought
As the divide grows deeper between inclusivity advocates and those fighting for what they see as biological fairness in sport, figures like Riley Gaines and Dawn Staley have become lightning rods in the national conversation.
One thing is certain: this debate isn’t going away — and with voices as bold as Gaines’ at the forefront, the collision between sports, identity, and truth is only getting louder.
