5 Highest-Paid Females's College or university Basketball Coaches
Women’s school basketball has witnessed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. Using the improved acceptance and business accomplishment on the sport, especially in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these top rated-tier coaches provide to their teams and universities. As universities continue to speculate inside their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include making powerhouse courses.In this article’s a think about the five highest-paid out Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Estimated Yearly Salary: $three.one million
Dawn Staley carries on for being the gold conventional in Gals’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Final Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million deal, generating her the best-paid Black head mentor in women's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has remodeled the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball history—Gentlemen's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady effectiveness have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His present agreement includes a base income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced latest challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Estimated Annual Salary: $two.seven million
Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, wherever she received 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball earth by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd year Together with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived which has a profitable eight-12 months, $23.six million agreement, building her amongst the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $one.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a design of consistency at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.
Her very long-phrase effects and growth of top-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer includes bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only one among the best-paid coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Switching Landscape in Women's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the escalating popularity and monetary viability of women’s school basketball. Packages are attracting extra countrywide Television set deals, ticket sales are growing, and corporate sponsors are getting to be extra invested in women's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the exertions, leadership, and accomplishment these coaches bring for their courses and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches at this time direct the way M88 in which when it comes to earnings, several Many others are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of these coaches has designed important strides with their respective plans and could split into the top rated five in the approaching a long time as Ladies's basketball proceeds to expand.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command higher salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the tradition in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to improve in reputation and help, we can hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to carry on increasing.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.