Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the elevated reputation and industrial good results on the sport, especially in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches carry to their teams and universities. As universities continue to take a position in their Gals’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the economical rewards that come with making powerhouse courses.
Right here’s a consider the 5 greatest-paid women’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Income: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold normal in Girls’s college or university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Last 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.four million agreement, building her the highest-paid out Black head coach in Ladies's faculty basketball record. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the checklist.
2. 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—Guys's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant general performance have ensured profitable agreement renewals. His latest deal features a base wage, media obligations, clothing bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. When UConn has confronted the latest challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Believed Yearly Salary: $2.seven million
Following An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Together with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival arrived using a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.six million contract, making her one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland due to the fact 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 twenty years.
Her extended-term impression and advancement of top-tier talent have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her current deal consists of bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual commitment to athletics and scholar improvement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely one of the very best-paid out coaches but additionally the M88 winningest mentor in NCAA Females's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get history and it has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer has never been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her put among the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising popularity and monetary viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting far more nationwide Tv set offers, ticket income are rising, and corporate sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and success these coaches deliver to their courses as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at this time 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 designed important strides with their respective plans and will split into the major five in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball proceeds to increase.
Last Views
The days of underfunded Gals’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command significant salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to improve in reputation and aid, we will expect these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.