Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Along with the elevated reputation and business results of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these top-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities go on to invest within their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include making powerhouse packages.
Listed here’s a look at the 5 optimum-paid out Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds being the gold normal in Ladies’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Women of all ages's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with overall performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the top of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Gentlemen's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable efficiency have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His existing agreement features a foundation wage, media obligations, attire promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Whilst UConn has faced latest difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership keep his benefit superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Estimated Yearly Wage: $2.seven million
Following a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she received 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period With all the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived that has a worthwhile 8-calendar year, $23.6 million contract, producing her among the highest-compensated Ladies’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over 20 years.
Her lengthy-expression influence and enhancement of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal features bonuses for tutorial performance, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual determination to athletics and pupil progress.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely amongst the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer hasn't been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her leadership, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Transforming Landscape in Women's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective with the escalating recognition and economic viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Systems are attracting extra countrywide Television set specials, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and results these coaches provide to their applications and also the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in which in terms of earnings, several Some others are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective programs and will crack in the leading 5 in the coming yrs as Females's basketball proceeds to increase.
Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Females’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command high 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 improve M88 in reputation and aid, we are able to be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.