‘I love what Dawn Staley stands for.’ Frank Martin defends fellow Gamecocks coach

Frank Martin tweeted his support of Dawn Staley on Wednesday morning following comments made by Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk against the South Carolina women’s basketball coach.

Sterk on Tuesday called out USC for how it handled Sunday’s women’s basketball game between the Gamecocks and Tigers. Sterk, during a radio interview in Missouri, accused Carolina fans of using racial slurs and spitting on Tiger players and Staley of encouraging Colonial Life Arena’s hostile environment.

“It wasn’t a great atmosphere. It was really kind of unhealthy, if you will,” Sterk said of the game while on KTGR. “We had players spit on and called the N-word and things like that.

“It was not a good environment, and unfortunately I think Coach Staley promoted that kind of atmosphere, and it’s unfortunate she felt she had to do that. It wasn’t good. I was really, really proud of our team. I thought they did a good job of handling themselves in a difficult situation and competing at a high level. It was too bad, but they have some talent and we got a tougher team coming in Thursday, so we have to move on.”

South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner released a statement Tuesday evening that backed his department’s investigation into the alleged behaviors.

“The athletics department conducted a review of our operations from the game, including interviews with staff and security personnel,” Tanner said. “In this review, we received no confirmation of the alleged behavior directed at the visiting team by fans at the game.”

Martin, who’s shared CLA with Staley for six seasons, publicly supported Staley after fallout from the Missouri game on Jan. 7.

Martin’s Gamecocks host Mississippi State on Wednesday evening.

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 9:34 AM with the headline "‘I love what Dawn Staley stands for.’ Frank Martin defends fellow Gamecocks coach."