Women of all ages’s college basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Along with the elevated reputation and business results of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches provide for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with creating powerhouse applications.
Here’s a think about the five highest-compensated Gals’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their remarkable salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold standard in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million deal, producing her the highest-paid Black head coach in Girls's higher education basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and extended with performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the best of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Income: $two.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 transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—Males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable efficiency have ensured profitable contract renewals. His current agreement features a base wage, media obligations, attire specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Though UConn has faced modern issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his benefit substantial.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Believed Yearly Income: $two.7 million
Soon after a successful two-ten years run at Baylor, where she received three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball environment by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next period Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a whole new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived by using a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.six million contract, creating her 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 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 prime-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her present-day deal features bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only considered one of the highest-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win file and it has led Stanford to 3 national 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, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your expanding reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Courses are attracting more national Television set deals, ticket sales are increasing, and corporate sponsors are getting to be extra invested in women's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign 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 direct just how in terms of earnings, quite a few Other folks are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of these coaches has designed substantial strides with their respective courses and will crack to the best 5 in the coming years as Gals's basketball carries on to grow.
Closing Thoughts
The times of underfunded Ladies’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command higher salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to grow in level of popularity and help, we can easily count on these salaries—as M88 well as profiles of these leaders—to continue soaring.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the speed for the future of competitive sports activities.