Females’s university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With all the amplified recognition and industrial accomplishment of your sport, especially in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities proceed to invest of their Girls’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the economical rewards that come with setting up powerhouse packages.
Here’s a look at the five optimum-paid Ladies’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their remarkable salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on being the gold standard in Ladies’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Remaining 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-year, $22.four million agreement, creating her the highest-paid Black head mentor in Women of all ages's college basketball history. That deal has given that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, putting her firmly at the very best of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Income: $2.9 million
A dwelling 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 school basketball heritage—men's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady performance have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His present contract includes a foundation salary, media obligations, attire discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted modern troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his worth superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $two.seven million
Following a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, where by she received 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile M88 arrival came using a lucrative 8-12 months, $23.six million agreement, making her one of the highest-paid out women’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a design of regularity at Maryland considering that taking on in 2002. With several meeting championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in nationwide competition for over 20 years.
Her very long-time period effect and progress of top rated-tier expertise have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer includes bonuses for academic efficiency, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her twin motivation to athletics and college student progress.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just amongst the best-paid out coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn report and has led Stanford to three countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Remaining 4 appearances.
Even though VanDerveer has never been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her leadership, enhancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her place Among the many all-time greats in coaching background.
A Switching Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The increasing salaries of those coaches are reflective from the escalating level of popularity and monetary viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Packages are attracting extra national Television discounts, ticket profits are raising, and company sponsors are getting to be extra invested in women's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver for their applications along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these 5 coaches currently direct the way with regard to earnings, many Other individuals are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every single of these coaches has manufactured major strides with their respective plans and will break into your leading 5 in the approaching many years as Women of all ages's basketball continues to increase.
Remaining Ideas
The days of underfunded women’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command higher salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the society of their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. Since the sport carries on to improve in recognition and support, we are able to anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of those leaders—to carry on soaring.
Women’s school basketball isn’t just maintaining tempo—it’s setting the rate for the way forward for competitive sports activities.