Girls’s university basketball has viewed exponential advancement in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Along with the increased popularity and commercial success from the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with building powerhouse courses.
Below’s a consider the 5 maximum-paid Gals’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their extraordinary salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold common in Ladies’s college or university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Final 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million deal, producing her the best-paid Black head coach in Gals's school basketball heritage. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with overall performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the best of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $2.9 million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Just about the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Guys's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His recent agreement features a base wage, media obligations, attire discounts, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced latest issues with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.seven million
After A prosperous two-ten years run at Baylor, in which she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year With all the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival came using a profitable eight-yr, $23.6 million agreement, producing her certainly one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of regularity at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With many conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for more than 20 years.
Her extended-expression effect and development of top rated-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer involves bonuses for educational effectiveness, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and college student enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Yearly Income: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the best-paid coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire history and has led Stanford to three countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Remaining Four appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her area Among the many all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Transforming Landscape in Women's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective in the increasing attractiveness and economical viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Courses are attracting more countrywide Television set specials, ticket profits are raising, and corporate sponsors have become much more invested in women's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not only a sign M88 of development—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and achievements these coaches provide to their applications and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at present direct how concerning earnings, many Many others are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of those coaches has produced sizeable strides with their respective packages and could split into the top rated five in the approaching many years as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to mature.
Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Gals’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 tradition in their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to increase in recognition and assist, we can count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue climbing.
Women’s university basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.