five Optimum-Paid out Women of all ages's University Basketball Coaches

Ladies’s college basketball has noticed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. While using the amplified recognition and commercial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches carry for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest in their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.

In this article’s a consider the five highest-compensated Girls’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Estimated Yearly Salary: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold standard in Gals’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 numerous NCAA Closing Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Girls's school basketball heritage. That offer has considering that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, placing her firmly at the very best of the record.

two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.9 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 college basketball historical past—Adult males's or Girls’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and dependable efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted new challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value higher.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $2.seven million

After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, where by she received a few national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh M88 level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her substantial-profile arrival came having a lucrative eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, generating her one among the highest-paid Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching model, 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 designed a model of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide contention for over twenty years.

Her extended-time period affect and improvement of top rated-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her current offer consists of bonuses for tutorial performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student advancement.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the highest-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.

While VanDerveer has never been one particular 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 many all-time greats in coaching record.

A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more national TV offers, ticket revenue are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in women's sporting activities.

The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver to their courses as well as Activity as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches at present lead just how concerning earnings, various Other folks are increasing:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each of such coaches has created substantial strides with their respective courses and could crack into your top 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to increase.

Final Feelings
The days of underfunded Girls’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport carries on to grow in level of popularity and assistance, we could anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.

Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping pace—it’s placing the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.