Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. Using the enhanced attractiveness and professional success in the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these prime-tier coaches carry to their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest in their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that include creating powerhouse plans.
Right here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid women’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to be the gold conventional in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Final 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, earning her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Girls's school basketball heritage. That offer has considering that been restructured and prolonged with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has transformed the program into Just about the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Males's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable overall performance have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. When UConn has confronted the latest challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year 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 significant-profile arrival arrived by using a worthwhile 8-calendar year, $23.six million agreement, creating her certainly one of the best-paid out Females’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a product of consistency at Maryland because taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.
Her long-expression effect and development of top rated-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal incorporates bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating M88 her twin dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire history and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer has not been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the rising popularity and financial viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting additional nationwide Tv set specials, ticket profits are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten additional invested in Gals's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not only a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, leadership, and good results these coaches deliver to their plans along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches at present lead just how concerning earnings, various Some others are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every of such coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective applications and will split into the top rated five in the approaching several years 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 of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to improve in reputation and support, we will expect these salaries—along with the profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Ladies’s faculty basketball isn’t just maintaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.