Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has noticed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With all the amplified recognition and industrial accomplishment of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these prime-tier coaches carry to their teams and universities. As universities carry on to invest in their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with creating powerhouse applications.
Right here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Women of all ages’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their amazing salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on for being the gold regular in Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.4 million agreement, making 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 commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His latest deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced modern troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his benefit superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, where she received a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second time 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 that has a beneficial 8-yr, $23.six million agreement, generating her among the very best-paid out Girls’s coaches at any time. Noted for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than two decades.
Her long-expression influence and enhancement of top rated-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal incorporates bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—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 certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her M88 legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising popularity and monetary viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting additional nationwide Tv set discounts, ticket profits are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten additional invested in Gals's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not only a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and good results these coaches deliver to their courses as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches now direct the best way with regards to earnings, a number of Other people are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of those coaches has produced significant strides with their respective courses and could crack in the best 5 in the coming years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
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 Females’s basketball to new heights. As the sport proceeds to develop in attractiveness and assist, we can assume these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Gals’s school basketball isn’t just preserving rate—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.