5 Best-Paid out Ladies's Higher education Basketball Coaches
Women of all ages’s college basketball has observed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last decade. With the greater recognition and business success on the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these best-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to speculate in their Ladies’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that include building powerhouse courses.Listed here’s a look at the five greatest-compensated Gals’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to be the gold conventional in Gals’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million contract, building her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's college or university basketball background. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $2.9 million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation salary, media obligations, clothing offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced latest troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his benefit high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.7 million
Immediately after An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she won three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second season Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came with a valuable eight-yr, $23.six million deal, generating her one among the very best-paid Women of all ages’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls'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 countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her very long-phrase effects and progress of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer contains bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and scholar improvement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Switching Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective with the escalating recognition and economic viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting far more nationwide Tv set discounts, ticket income are raising, and corporate sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's M88 sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your labor, Management, and good results these coaches provide to their applications and also the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches currently guide the best way regarding earnings, numerous Other people are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of these coaches has produced substantial strides with their respective plans and will break into the top rated five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to expand.
Remaining Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in popularity and guidance, we can be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Gals’s school basketball isn’t just preserving pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.