Females’s higher education basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the increased recognition and industrial achievement of the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these prime-tier coaches provide to their groups and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a consider the five best-paid out Ladies’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their outstanding salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Yearly Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to be the gold conventional in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Final Four appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's university basketball record. That deal has considering that been restructured and prolonged with effectiveness incentives, putting her firmly at the very best of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady 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. Although UConn has faced latest issues with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management preserve his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.seven million
After A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived using a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, generating her among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate M88 coaching fashion, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of regularity at Maryland considering the fact that taking over in 2002. With many convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in countrywide competition for over 20 years.
Her long-expression influence and enhancement of best-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present deal includes bonuses for tutorial functionality, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student growth.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely one among the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Girls's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, growth of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Changing Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective from the expanding level of popularity and monetary viability of girls’s college basketball. Programs are attracting more countrywide Television bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and company sponsors have gotten more invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not just a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches bring for their packages along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently direct the best way when it comes to earnings, several others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective applications and will break in the best 5 in the coming decades as Females's basketball proceeds to develop.
Final Views
The times of underfunded Gals’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command high salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the sport proceeds to develop in attractiveness and help, we can easily hope these salaries—plus the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Women’s college basketball isn’t just holding tempo—it’s placing the rate for the way forward for competitive athletics.