Women of all ages’s university basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last decade. With the amplified recognition and industrial results from the sport, especially in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these top-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to speculate inside their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that include making powerhouse systems.
Below’s a consider the five best-paid out Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold normal 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 manufactured headlines by signing a historic 7-year, $22.four million contract, generating her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball historical past. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, positioning her firmly at the best of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady general performance have ensured profitable agreement renewals. His recent agreement features a foundation wage, media obligations, attire specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Though UConn has confronted the latest worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $2.seven million
After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival came using a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, making her among the very best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has M88 quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide competition for over twenty years.
Her prolonged-term impression and enhancement of leading-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest offer consists of bonuses for tutorial functionality, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and college student development.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just amongst the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her area among the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Shifting Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the rising popularity and monetary viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting much more countrywide Television set bargains, ticket sales are growing, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in Ladies's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and achievements these coaches convey for their packages along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches at present lead just how with regard to earnings, various Other folks are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective programs and will break into your prime five in the approaching many years as women's basketball carries on to develop.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the society of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in popularity and assist, we can assume these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just preserving rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports.