five Optimum-Paid out Women of all ages's University Basketball Coaches

Ladies’s college or university basketball has observed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Using the amplified reputation and business success on the Activity, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches provide to their groups and universities. As universities proceed to speculate within their Females’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that include making powerhouse packages.

Listed here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Women of all ages’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.

1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold regular in Gals’s higher education basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, building her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in women's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the very best of the record.

2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $two.9 million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Gentlemen's or Women of all ages’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth large.

three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $2.seven million

Just after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her large-profile arrival came which has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid out women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Yearly Salary: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide contention for more than twenty years.

Her very long-expression affect and advancement of major-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her current deal consists of bonuses for academic performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and pupil development.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Salary: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not only one among the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire history and has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.

When VanDerveer hasn't 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 M88 all-time greats in coaching background.

A Modifying Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your growing recognition and economic viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting far more nationwide Television bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming extra 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 as well as the sport in general.

Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches now direct the best way when it comes to earnings, several Many others are going up:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each and every of such coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective programs and will break in the best 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball proceeds to increase.

Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to improve in recognition and guidance, we are able to be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.

Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just maintaining speed—it’s location the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.