Women of all ages’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. While using the elevated acceptance and professional achievements of the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these major-tier coaches convey for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the monetary rewards that include constructing powerhouse packages.
Listed here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding 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 for being 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 on 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 designed headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million deal, generating her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's college or university basketball background. That deal has because been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Believed Yearly Wage: $two.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in school basketball heritage—men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable overall performance have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His present-day contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted new worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value substantial.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-decade run at Baylor, where she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of 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 lucrative eight-12 months, $23.6 million M88 deal, earning her considered one of the very best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Income: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking up in 2002. With multiple meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than 20 years.
Her long-expression effect and development of top rated-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her latest deal incorporates bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply one of the very best-paid out coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Closing Four appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her leadership, progress of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your growing attractiveness and money viability of ladies’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting much more national Tv set discounts, ticket income are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten additional invested in Gals's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not only a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your effort, Management, and achievement these coaches bring to their applications and also the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide how with regard to earnings, many Other individuals are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective applications and will break into your top rated five in the approaching a long time as Ladies's basketball proceeds to expand.
Final Feelings
The days of underfunded Gals’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the culture of their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to mature in acceptance and support, we could anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Ladies’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s setting the tempo for the future of aggressive sporting activities.