Women of all ages’s university basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Together with the greater recognition and professional good results with the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches carry to their teams and universities. As universities continue to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a think about the five greatest-paid Women of all ages’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their amazing 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 to get 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. Since taking up the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Last 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 very best-paid Black head mentor in Gals's university basketball record. 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 Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Guys's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His existing agreement features a foundation wage, media obligations, attire promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has faced current issues with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his price large.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Right after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, exactly where she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by joining LSU in 2021. In just her second season Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came with a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.six million contract, creating her certainly one of the best-paid out Females’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of consistency at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for over 20 years.
Her lengthy-time period affect and growth of prime-tier expertise have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal features bonuses for academic performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the very best-paid coaches and also the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of M88 WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Changing Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the increasing attractiveness and financial viability of ladies’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting much more national TV offers, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming much more invested in Ladies's sports.
The rise in coaching salaries is not only an indication of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, Management, and good results these coaches carry for their applications plus the sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches at the moment direct the way in which with regards to earnings, numerous Other people are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of those coaches has produced significant strides with their respective systems and could crack to the leading 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity carries on to expand in acceptance and assist, we will be expecting these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to carry on mounting.
Gals’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive athletics.