A high-ranking Temple athletic department official said this morning that Staley's departure is likely to happen.

Staley could not be reached for immediate comment, but a source indicated earlier in the week that talks between University of South Carolina officials and the North Philadelphia native had become "active" as the university sought to fill the vacancy left by former Gamecocks coach Susan Valvius. Valvius left the coaching position April 14 but did not have another job immediately lined up.

A member of the University of South Carolina athletic department would not confirm Staley's hire this morning but said a press conference had been scheduled for Saturday.

To pry Staley, the three-time Olympic gold medalist and former WNBA All-Star loose from Temple's grasp, South Carolina will have to make a substantial investment to match Staley's salary with the Owls, which has been characterized recently by knowledgeable sources as among the top ten in Division I women's basketball coaching circles.

Staley, who turned 38 on Sunday, signed a six-year extension a year ago with Temple, a deal which also included a substantial buyout clause, according to a knowledgeable source.

Family ties near Columbia, S.C., where the university is based, and the allure of coaching annually against the likes of national powers Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia, were said to be two key factors to prompt Staley to consider leaving her hometown of Philadelphia, where she also operates the Dawn Staley Foundation for urban youngsters.

Staley's playing career as a point guard began at Dobbins Tech, where she was part of a girls' basketball team that won three straight Public League titles from 1986-89. Staley, a former national High School Player of the Year, went on to lead the University of Virginia basketball team to three straight NCAA Women's Final Four appearances from 1990-92.

Inexperienced in the coaching profession when she was hired on April 12, 2000, Staley, if she departs Temple, leaves as the most successful coach in Temple women's basketball with a 172-80 record.

Temple had not enjoyed a winning record in the decade prior to her arrival.

Staley would depart after having guided the Owls to six NCAA tournament appearances, four Atlantic Ten titles, and five Big Five championships.