Women of all ages’s university basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With all the greater attractiveness and commercial success of the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities keep on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that include constructing powerhouse plans.
Right here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold regular in Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, creating her the best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball record—Males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted new worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Estimated Once-a-year Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd year While using the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived that has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, generating her among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her prolonged-term impression and advancement of top-tier expertise have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer consists of bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student progress.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has not been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that M88 her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Shifting Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the increasing attractiveness and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Television discounts, ticket income are raising, and company sponsors have become far more invested in Girls's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition on the exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches bring for their systems plus the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at the moment direct the way in terms of earnings, quite a few Many others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of these coaches has built important strides with their respective plans and will split into the leading 5 in the coming decades as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Ultimate Thoughts
The days of underfunded women’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the tradition in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to grow in level of popularity and help, we can easily count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to carry on soaring.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports.