five Highest-Paid Women's College Basketball Coaches

Girls’s university basketball has viewed exponential advancement in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With the improved reputation and industrial good results in the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these leading-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities proceed to invest in their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that include making powerhouse packages.

Listed here’s a look at the 5 greatest-compensated Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Annual Income: $3.one million

Dawn Staley continues being the gold normal in Women of all ages’s faculty 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 multiple NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million deal, producing her the best-paid Black head coach in Gals's school basketball heritage. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.

2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $two.nine million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball record—Males's or Females’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured profitable contract renewals. His existing agreement includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. While UConn has faced recent difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his benefit superior.

three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.7 million

Right after An effective two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained a few national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second season with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a whole new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her superior-profile arrival arrived that has a valuable 8-yr, $23.6 million deal, generating her among the highest-compensated Females’s coaches ever. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Annual Salary: $1.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a model of consistency at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for over twenty years.

Her extended-time period effect and development of top rated-tier talent have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. M88 Her existing offer incorporates bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual determination to athletics and college student growth.

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

Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain record and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.

While VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her leadership, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her location Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.

A Switching Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of these coaches are reflective with the developing attractiveness and financial viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Packages are attracting additional nationwide Tv set bargains, ticket income are rising, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in women's sporting activities.

The increase in coaching salaries is not only a sign 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 lead just how with regard to earnings, many Other people are rising:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every single of these coaches has created considerable strides with their respective programs and will split to the top rated five in the coming decades as women's basketball continues to develop.

Closing Thoughts
The times of underfunded women’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command superior salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to expand in popularity and guidance, we could be expecting these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue growing.

Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just preserving rate—it’s setting the tempo for the future of aggressive sporting activities.