Gals’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. With all the enhanced level of popularity and professional achievements of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with developing powerhouse applications.
In this article’s a look at the five optimum-paid Women of all ages’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold regular in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking on This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Final 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, building her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's college or university basketball background. That offer has because been restructured and extended with efficiency incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Income: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into Just about the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Gentlemen's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced modern troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management hold his price significant.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $two.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd year Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came using a profitable 8-calendar year, $23.6 million contract, earning her amongst the very best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland given that taking on in 2002. With multiple meeting championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide contention for more than two decades.
Her lengthy-time period impression and advancement of prime-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her present-day offer consists of bonuses for tutorial functionality, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student development.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Annual Wage: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just amongst the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain record and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Remaining 4 appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer has never been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot among the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Switching Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising popularity and monetary viability of women’s university basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Television offers, ticket revenue are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not only a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and success M88 these coaches bring for their packages plus the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches presently guide how regarding earnings, numerous Other people are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of those coaches has made sizeable strides with their respective courses and will split into the leading five in the approaching several years as Gals's basketball carries on to improve.
Last Feelings
The times of underfunded Ladies’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, shape the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to increase in popularity and assist, we can assume these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to carry on soaring.
Females’s faculty basketball isn’t just maintaining tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.