Women’s school basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Together with the amplified popularity and commercial success of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the value and leadership these prime-tier coaches carry to their groups and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that come with setting up powerhouse systems.
Below’s a consider the 5 optimum-paid women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their remarkable salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to get the gold regular 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 up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Remaining 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, earning her the very best-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball background. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Gentlemen's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has confronted recent difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.7 million
Right after An effective two-decade operate at Baylor, where she received 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Using the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival came having a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, generating her one among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. Recognized for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $one.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a product of regularity at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With multiple meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.
Her very long-term effects and growth of top-tier expertise have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her current deal features bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win record and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse M88 Remaining Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer has not been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her put among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Altering Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective on the escalating attractiveness and money viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Programs are attracting much more national Television set promotions, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors have gotten additional invested in Girls'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 accomplishment these coaches provide to their programs as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches presently guide the best way concerning earnings, a number of Some others are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of these coaches has made sizeable strides with their respective packages and will split into the top rated five in the approaching many years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Gals’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to improve in reputation and assist, we are able to be expecting these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive sports activities.