Ladies’s university basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Using the improved acceptance and commercial achievement of the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these top rated-tier coaches deliver for their teams and universities. As universities keep on to speculate of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that include creating powerhouse plans.
Listed here’s a look at the 5 highest-compensated Ladies’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their extraordinary salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $three.one million
Dawn Staley continues to be the gold standard in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Final 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.4 million contract, building her the best-paid out Black head mentor in Girls's higher education basketball history. That deal has because been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of this record.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Wage: $2.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced 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 steady general performance have ensured profitable contract renewals. His present contract features a base salary, media obligations, apparel deals, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Whilst UConn has confronted the latest challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his benefit substantial.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after An effective two-ten years run at Baylor, exactly where she received three nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next season with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 national championship, bringing a different level of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came which has a valuable 8-yr, $23.6 million agreement, making her one among the very best-compensated women’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a design of consistency at Maryland because taking over in 2002. With several conference championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide competition for more than 20 years.
Her prolonged-phrase effect and advancement of leading-tier expertise have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present offer involves bonuses for academic performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual determination to athletics and college student improvement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just amongst the highest-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Ladies's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win document and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her leadership, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Switching Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective in the increasing attractiveness and economical viability of girls’s school basketball. Packages are M88 attracting additional countrywide Television set bargains, ticket sales are rising, and company sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's sports activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition in the labor, Management, and achievement these coaches bring to their courses and also the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches at this time guide the way in which concerning earnings, numerous Other folks are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of such coaches has created significant strides with their respective plans and could break into the best 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to expand.
Ultimate Ideas
The days of underfunded Ladies’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the lifestyle of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport proceeds to increase in acceptance and help, we are able to anticipate these salaries—along with the profiles of these leaders—to carry on rising.
Girls’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.