Ladies’s college or university basketball has found exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. With all the enhanced acceptance and business results with the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these prime-tier coaches carry to their groups and universities. As universities go on to take a position within their Females’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a consider the five best-paid out Ladies’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold regular in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Closing 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-year, $22.four million deal, generating her the best-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's faculty basketball background. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, inserting her firmly at the highest of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Wage: $two.9 million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular effectiveness have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-ten years run at Baylor, in which she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived using a rewarding eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, generating her one among the highest-compensated Females’s coaches ever. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in M88 Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a product of consistency at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her extended-time period effect and enhancement of best-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present deal features bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and student development.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win document and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Modifying Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective with the escalating popularity and monetary viability of women’s college basketball. Applications are attracting much more national Television set deals, ticket sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, leadership, and good results these coaches deliver for their packages along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches now direct the way in which in terms of earnings, various Other folks are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of those coaches has produced sizeable strides with their respective packages and could split into the top rated five in the approaching years as Gals's basketball continues to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded Gals’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to increase in popularity and assist, we can count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue climbing.
Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just preserving pace—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive athletics.