5 Greatest-Compensated Females's Higher education Basketball Coaches
Ladies’s higher education basketball has noticed exponential advancement in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. Together with the greater reputation and business achievements from the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches provide for their teams and universities. As universities keep on to speculate of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include making powerhouse courses.Here’s a think about the 5 greatest-paid Ladies’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their amazing salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold typical in Females’s college or university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.4 million agreement, building her the best-paid out Black head mentor in women's higher education basketball heritage. That deal has given that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, positioning her firmly at the highest of the checklist.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Believed Once-a-year Income: $2.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked the program into Probably the most dominant dynasties in university basketball background—Males's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable general performance have ensured worthwhile contract renewals. His present-day deal includes a foundation wage, media obligations, clothing discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. While UConn has confronted the latest troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership continue to keep his value superior.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.seven million
Right after An effective two-ten years operate at Baylor, where she won 3 countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by joining LSU in 2021. In just her second season Along with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 national championship, bringing a fresh stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came that has a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.six million agreement, producing her amongst the very best-compensated Women of all ages’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, M88 and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Believed Yearly Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has 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 Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide contention for over 20 years.
Her lengthy-expression influence and improvement of prime-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her current deal involves bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and pupil growth.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Annual Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just amongst the best-paid out coaches but in addition the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get document and has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Last 4 appearances.
When VanDerveer has never been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her spot among the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Shifting Landscape in Females's Basketball
The growing salaries of such coaches are reflective on the developing reputation and economical viability of women’s college or university basketball. Plans are attracting additional national TV discounts, ticket product sales are raising, and company sponsors are becoming much more invested in Girls's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply an indication of development—it’s a recognition on the effort, Management, and achievements these coaches bring for their programs as well as the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches at this time direct the best way with regard to earnings, various Some others are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every single of those coaches has produced sizeable strides with their respective systems and could split in to the top five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to grow.
Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Girls’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the society in their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity carries on to mature in acceptance and aid, we are able to count on these salaries—and the profiles of these leaders—to carry on rising.
Females’s college basketball isn’t just maintaining pace—it’s setting the pace for the way forward for aggressive athletics.