Women of all ages’s higher education basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the increased reputation and industrial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches carry to their teams and universities. As universities continue on to speculate inside their Gals’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that come with setting up powerhouse courses.
Below’s a consider the five best-paid out Females’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold typical in Females’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that 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 produced headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million deal, creating her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's university basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty 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 value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Believed Annual Salary: $2.seven million
After A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she received 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next time While using the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a whole new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival arrived by using a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized 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 nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in national competition for over 20 years.
Her long-expression effect and development of top rated-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal features bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and scholar improvement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely one of the very best-paid out coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Changing Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective with the growing recognition and economic viability of ladies’s higher education basketball. Systems are attracting extra countrywide Television set promotions, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors are getting to be extra invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and results these coaches provide to their applications and also the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches now guide the best way regarding earnings, numerous Other people are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual M88 of those coaches has produced significant strides with their respective courses and could crack in the best 5 in the coming years as Women of all ages'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 lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport proceeds to expand in popularity and assist, we can be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Gals’s school basketball isn’t just preserving pace—it’s placing the rate for the way forward for competitive sports activities.