Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Together with the amplified attractiveness and professional success of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and Management these major-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include making powerhouse packages.
Right here’s a look at the 5 greatest-compensated Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely 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 carries on to become the gold conventional in Gals’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking on This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball background. That offer has since been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $2.9 million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult men's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. While UConn has confronted recent difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $2.seven million
Just after A prosperous M88 two-decade run at Baylor, exactly where she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second season Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival arrived that has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, producing her among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. 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 – College of Maryland
Approximated Annual Wage: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a product of regularity at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide contention for over two decades.
Her prolonged-term impression and growth of top-tier expertise have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer consists of bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating 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 amongst the highest-paid out coaches but will 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 Last Four appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been 1 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 location Among the many all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Switching Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising popularity and monetary viability of women’s university basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Tv set discounts, ticket profits are raising, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition on the exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver for their systems plus the sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at the moment lead the way concerning earnings, various Some others are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of such coaches has designed important strides with their respective plans and will split into the top rated five in the approaching a long time as Ladies's basketball proceeds to expand.
Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in popularity and guidance, we can be expecting these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to continue growing.
Ladies’s college or university basketball isn’t just maintaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.