Breaking News: Wendale Farrow Joins Gamecocks as Assistant Coach Under Dawn Staley
COLUMBIA, S.C.** – South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley announced a major addition to her coaching staff, naming Wendale Farrow as an assistant coach
Farrow brings with him over a decade of coaching experience across three Power Five conferences, including the Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC. His résumé includes six NCAA Tournament appearances, two Elite Eight runs, a Big Ten Regular-Season Championship, a Pac-12 Tournament title, and the development of eight WNBA Draft selections.
“We struck gold in bringing Wendale into our Gamecock family,” said Coach Staley. “He is an accomplished young coach who has been part of every aspect of successful programs, and that journey has made him a seasoned, complete coach from Xs and Os to player development to recruiting to community service. We’re excited to see the huge impact he will make on our team and Columbia.”
Farrow’s most recent role was with Southern Cal, where he spent four seasons helping guide the Trojans to a resurgence in national prominence. Under his leadership, USC captured the 2025 Big Ten Regular-Season Championship and the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament crown. The team reached the NCAA Elite Eight in both years and finished inside the top five of the final AP Poll. Six Trojans were selected in the WNBA Draft during Farrow’s tenure, including 2025 first-round pick Kiki Iriafen.
Before his time in Los Angeles, Farrow coached five seasons at Cal, where he was part of the staff led by current USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The Golden Bears saw three consecutive 20-win seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances during his first three years, and two of his players moved on to the WNBA. His experience and success with recruiting, player development, and game strategy helped elevate both programs into national contenders.
Farrow’s coaching journey began in the SEC, where he served as an assistant coach under Melanie Balcomb at Vanderbilt during the 2015-16 season. His work ethic and ability to connect with student-athletes quickly earned him recognition, eventually leading to his continued rise in the coaching ranks.
Farrow’s foundation in the profession was laid during his time at UCLA, where he worked as the video coordinator for the 2013-14 season. He also served as the scout team advisor, community service liaison, and interim recruiting coach, gaining invaluable experience in multiple facets of program management.
Before transitioning to coaching, Farrow was a standout student-athlete. He played two seasons at American River (Calif.) Junior College before transferring to Eastern Michigan University, where he earned Academic All-District honors. After completing his playing career, he remained at EMU as a graduate manager, helping the coaching staff while pursuing his master’s degree in educational leadership with a focus in student affairs, which he earned in 2013.
Farrow also spent a year at the University of Michigan as an academic mentor, further demonstrating his commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes.
South Carolina adds a seasoned, well-rounded coach in Wendale Farrow, whose experience at top-tier programs and passion for player development align with the Gamecocks’ championship culture.
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