Women’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. With the enhanced level of popularity and business results with the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these top rated-tier coaches provide to their teams and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the monetary rewards that include making powerhouse packages.
Listed here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Women of all ages’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 Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold standard in Gals’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that 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 designed headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million contract, generating her the highest-compensated Black head mentor in women's university basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and prolonged with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the very best of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball heritage—Males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His recent deal features a foundation wage, 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 price substantial.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Once-a-year Income: $two.seven million
After a successful two-decade run at Baylor, wherever she won 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball planet by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second year With all the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 national championship, bringing a whole new stage of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival came which has a rewarding 8-yr, $23.six million contract, generating her one among the very best-paid out Girls’s coaches ever. Recognized for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant manner, 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 more than two decades.
Her very long-phrase effects and growth of top-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal incorporates bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and pupil progress.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just amongst the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win history and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the increasing attractiveness and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Programs are attracting more national Television discounts, ticket profits are expanding, and corporate sponsors are becoming much more invested in Ladies's sports.
The rise in coaching salaries is not only a sign of development—it’s a recognition from the labor, leadership, and accomplishment these coaches carry for their packages along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these five coaches now direct the way in which when it comes to earnings, several Many others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective programs and could crack to the leading 5 in the coming many years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Gals’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't M88 just command substantial salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to improve in reputation and aid, we are able to be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.