Women of all ages’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With all the greater level of popularity and professional achievements of your Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these top-tier coaches convey for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.
Here’s a think about the five greatest-compensated Gals’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their remarkable salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold standard in Gals’s higher education basketball coaching. A former 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, building her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college basketball historical past. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Gentlemen's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady effectiveness have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His existing agreement includes a base wage, media obligations, attire promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has faced current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value large.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Right after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, in which she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second season Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a completely new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival arrived that has a beneficial 8-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 style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland given that taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for over 20 years.
Her long-expression influence and enhancement of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer consists of bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot One of the all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Switching Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of such coaches are reflective with the developing level of popularity and money viability of women’s college basketball. Plans are attracting much more countrywide TV deals, ticket product sales are growing, and company sponsors have become extra invested in Ladies's sporting activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and success these coaches deliver to their applications as well as the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches presently lead just how concerning earnings, various Other people are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic M88 Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every single of those coaches has created significant strides with their respective packages and could crack in the leading 5 in the coming years as Gals's basketball carries on to grow.
Closing Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. As the Activity proceeds to increase in recognition and guidance, we are able to hope these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women’s faculty basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive athletics.