Females’s university basketball has seen exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. Using the improved level of popularity and commercial achievement of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these major-tier coaches provide to their teams and universities. As universities keep on to take a position inside their women’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the financial rewards that include developing powerhouse plans.
Right here’s a consider the 5 best-paid women’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their impressive salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Once-a-year Income: $3.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold standard in Females’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 over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.4 million deal, creating her the best-paid out Black head mentor in Girls's higher education basketball historical past. That offer has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the highest of the checklist.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $2.nine million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has reworked the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball heritage—Gentlemen's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable efficiency have ensured beneficial agreement renewals. His existing deal includes a foundation income, media obligations, attire promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event runs. When UConn has faced new difficulties with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership retain his worth higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.7 million
Just after a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, in which she won a few national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next year With all the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a whole new degree of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival came using a worthwhile 8-yr, $23.6 million agreement, generating her one among the highest-paid Gals’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $one.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a model of consistency at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in countrywide rivalry for more than twenty years.
Her lengthy-expression impression and progress of top rated-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her present-day deal consists of bonuses for educational efficiency, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and student enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Annual Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely considered one of the highest-paid out coaches but in addition the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win history and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Remaining 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer hasn't been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, advancement of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her spot Amongst the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Changing Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The rising salaries of such coaches are reflective from the escalating acceptance and money viability of girls’s college basketball. Packages are attracting much more national Television promotions, ticket revenue are raising, and company sponsors are getting to be much more invested in Girls's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition of the exertions, leadership, and good results these coaches provide to their plans along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches at present lead just how with regards to earnings, many Some others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of such coaches has made substantial M88 strides with their respective systems and could split to the prime five in the coming decades as Ladies's basketball continues to expand.
Ultimate Feelings
The days of underfunded Gals’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command large salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, shape the society in their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to develop in reputation and guidance, we can easily expect these salaries—along with the profiles of those leaders—to continue growing.
Girls’s faculty basketball isn’t just preserving tempo—it’s location the speed for the future of competitive athletics.