The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that former University of Virginia basketball standout Dawn Staley may be getting a new, higher-profile job.

The Inquirer today said Staley's eight-year run heading Temple's women's basketball program may end in the coming days for her to accept the head job at South Carolina.

Talks between South Carolina and Staley for the vacant coaching position at the Southeastern Conference school have become "very active," a source familiar with the negotiations told the Inquirer.

Staley, a Philadelphia native, would not comment.

During Staley's four seasons at Virginia, she led the Cavaliers to four NCAA tournaments, including three Final Fours and one national championship game. She was named the national player of the year in 1991 and 1992.

The job opened when Susan Walvius resigned April 14 after 11 seasons.

Two other known candidates are longtime Tennessee assistant coach Holly Warlick and North Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell. South Carolina, however, is believed to want to make a minority hire.

Staley, who turned 38 on Sunday, visited the campus in Columbia last week, the Inquirer reported, and school officials have been in touch with the former point guard since then.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist and former WNBA all-star has been a prime attraction when vacancies occur because of her success transforming Temple from a doormat into a program of national respectability.

When Staley was hired on April 12, 2000, she had no coaching experience and Temple had not had a winning record in a decade. But Staley has become the winningest women's basketball coach at Temple, with a 172-80 record and six NCAA tournament appearances in her eight seasons.

Staley was selected to carry the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics.