Women’s faculty basketball has noticed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Together with the greater acceptance and business achievements from the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with building powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a consider the five highest-paid out Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold typical in Females’s college basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Last 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million deal, creating her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Girls's college basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and extended with efficiency incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of this record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Believed Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping 11 countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked the program into Just about the most dominant dynasties in college basketball record—Adult men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady efficiency have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His recent agreement includes a base wage, media obligations, attire deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Even though UConn has faced new difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his price superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Income: $two.seven million
Soon after a successful two-10 years operate at Baylor, exactly where she received three nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period With all the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a brand new level of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived that has a valuable eight-yr, $23.6 million contract, making her among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a product of regularity at Maryland given that taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for over two decades.
Her lengthy-term impact and development of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer consists of bonuses for educational efficiency, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and university student enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her location among the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Changing Landscape in Females's Basketball
The raising salaries of these coaches are M88 reflective of the growing recognition and monetary viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more nationwide TV offers, ticket revenue are raising, and company sponsors have become much more invested in Girls's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not just a sign of development—it’s a recognition on the hard work, Management, and achievement these coaches provide for their plans and also the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these 5 coaches presently guide the way in terms of earnings, many 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 created sizeable strides with their respective programs and could split into the best 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball proceeds to develop.
Final Views
The times of underfunded Gals’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command superior salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, form the culture in their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity carries on to expand in acceptance and assist, we are able to expect these salaries—as well as profiles of those leaders—to carry on growing.
Women’s college or university basketball isn’t just holding tempo—it’s location the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports activities.