Ladies’s university basketball has seen exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. With all the elevated level of popularity and professional achievements of the Activity, especially in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches bring to their teams and universities. As universities carry on to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with developing powerhouse packages.
In this article’s a consider the five highest-compensated Girls’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold regular in Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.four million deal, creating her the very best-compensated Black head mentor in Girls's college or university basketball history. That offer has considering the fact that been restructured and prolonged with performance incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.nine million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled the program into Probably the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball record—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady general performance have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His recent deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced current issues with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his price substantial.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she won three nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her next time While using the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a brand new level of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival came that has a rewarding 8-yr, $23.6 million agreement, generating her among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide contention for over 20 years.
Her extensive-time period affect and growth of top rated-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal M88 involves bonuses for educational general performance, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and university student progress.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Annual Income: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely amongst the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest mentor in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn report and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Ultimate Four appearances.
Though VanDerveer has not been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, improvement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Among the many all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Changing Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective of the developing recognition and economic viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting more countrywide Television bargains, ticket gross sales are raising, and corporate sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's athletics.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition from the effort, leadership, and good results these coaches bring to their courses plus the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches now guide the way in which in terms of earnings, numerous Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective courses and will crack in the leading 5 in the coming many years as women's basketball continues to increase.
Ultimate Ideas
The days of underfunded women’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command substantial salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport proceeds to develop in recognition and assist, we can count on these salaries—and the profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Women’s college basketball isn’t just keeping speed—it’s setting the speed for the way forward for competitive sporting activities.