"We will conduct a national search for Dawn's successor," Bradshaw said. "What is most important is we go from the great work Dawn did at Temple and find the right bridge to take us to the future."

Staley will be introduced tomorrow as South Carolina's new women's basketball coach.

Temple hired her in April 2000, when she had no coaching experience - a move officials could make with little to lose.

Scant interest existed in the Owls, who had gone a decade without a winning record. Coaches were also wary of the challenge of landing quality recruits on a campus in an urban setting.

The Temple vacancy this time offers a much different perception.

Staley's $500,000 package was in the top 10 for Division I women's coaches. The program has become nationally respected. And the Temple campus has undergone a major renovation.

The pay is attractive enough to land a marquee mentor.

Bradshaw might target an individual the way Texas grabbed former Duke coach Gail Goestenkors last year.

Coach Patty Coyle of the WNBA's New York Liberty is a graduate of West Catholic High and Rutgers.

Quality young assistants from nationally ranked teams are available, such as either Jamelle Elliott or Tonya Cardoza of Connecticut, or Carlene Mitchell of Rutgers.