Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has seen exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last decade. Together with the improved attractiveness and business good results from the sport, especially in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities go on to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that include making powerhouse packages.
Right here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Women of all ages’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their remarkable salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold standard in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Closing Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, earning her the highest-compensated Black head mentor in Girls's college basketball historical past. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, inserting her firmly at the top of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Adult males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured valuable contract renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. While UConn has faced recent problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her second season with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived by using a worthwhile 8-calendar year, $23.six million contract, making her amongst the very best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Yearly Salary: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of consistency at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With a number of meeting championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide competition for over twenty years.
Her long-expression effect and advancement of top-tier talent have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present-day deal features bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and college student development.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply one of the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win file and it has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Last Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Altering Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising level of popularity and money viability of women’s faculty basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Television bargains, ticket income are rising, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in women's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver for their systems plus the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches presently guide how regarding earnings, a number of Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of these coaches has built sizeable strides with their respective applications and could crack in to the top rated 5 in the coming decades as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to develop.
Closing Thoughts
The days of underfunded Females’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command higher salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to mature in acceptance and M88 support, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to carry on increasing.
Gals’s school basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the pace for the future of competitive athletics.