Ladies’s college basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. Using the improved reputation and industrial accomplishment from the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and Management these top rated-tier coaches provide to their teams and universities. As universities continue to speculate of their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that include constructing powerhouse plans.
Right here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their remarkable salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold standard in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic seven-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, creating her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's school basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and prolonged with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the record.
2. 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 the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His latest deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing promotions, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced latest troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his price significant.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Approximated Annual Salary: $two.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, where by she received a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a new level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came with a lucrative eight-12 months, $23.six million contract, earning her certainly one of the very best-paid out Girls’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's M88 hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With many conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national rivalry for over 20 years.
Her long-expression influence and enhancement of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her present offer consists of bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual determination to athletics and pupil progress.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not just one among the best-paid coaches but will also the winningest mentor in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win document and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer has not been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, progress of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position among the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Transforming Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of these coaches are reflective from the developing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Applications are attracting much more national TV deals, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors are getting to be additional invested in Gals's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver for their courses plus the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches presently guide how regarding earnings, a number of Other folks are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of these coaches has produced substantial strides with their respective courses and could crack to the leading 5 in the coming yrs as Females's basketball proceeds to expand.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command superior salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in attractiveness and help, we can easily count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.