Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Along with the increased reputation and industrial results of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and leadership these top-tier coaches convey for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to speculate inside their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that come with building powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a think about the five greatest-compensated Girls’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their amazing salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on for being the gold regular in Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has built South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Last 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-paid 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 performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball record—Guys's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. When UConn has confronted the latest difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $two.seven million
Immediately after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came having a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million contract, earning her amongst the very best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, 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
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a product of consistency at Maryland since taking on in 2002. With several conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national rivalry for over twenty years.
Her extended-time period affect and improvement of major-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal features bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply one among the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire history and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that M88 her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, improvement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Modifying Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of the developing acceptance and money viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting much more national TV offers, ticket revenue are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in Ladies's sports.
The increase 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 plans and also the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide how regarding earnings, numerous Other people are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of these coaches has manufactured substantial strides with their respective programs and will break into your prime five in the coming many years as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to grow.
Closing Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command substantial salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the tradition in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to develop in attractiveness and help, we can easily count on these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports.