Females’s university basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Together with the greater attractiveness and professional achievements of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these top-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with building powerhouse courses.
Below’s a consider the five best-paid out Ladies’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold conventional in Girls’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed 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 Gals's university basketball heritage. That offer has considering that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this record.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Gentlemen's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant effectiveness have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has faced modern troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his price substantial.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, exactly where she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived by using a worthwhile 8-calendar year, $23.six million contract, making her amongst the very best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a model of regularity M88 at Maryland given that taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.
Her extensive-expression impact and progress of best-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present deal includes bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and scholar development.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win document and has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer hasn't been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the escalating popularity and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more nationwide Television offers, ticket revenue are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not only a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and success these coaches convey for their packages along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide the best way with regards to earnings, a number of others are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of these coaches has made major strides with their respective packages and could break into your top five in the approaching yrs as Gals's basketball carries on to improve.
Final Views
The days of underfunded Girls’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command substantial salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the society in their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport continues to develop in acceptance and guidance, we could assume these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to continue climbing.
Ladies’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining rate—it’s setting the tempo for the future of aggressive sporting activities.