Women’s faculty basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Along with the amplified popularity and commercial success of the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and Management these major-tier coaches provide for their teams and universities. As universities continue to speculate inside their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that include creating powerhouse plans.
Here’s a think about the five highest-compensated Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues being the gold normal in women’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Final Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million deal, producing her the best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's college or university basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with overall performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the best of this checklist.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked the program into Probably the most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His current contract includes a foundation salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. While UConn has confronted recent difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.7 million
Following An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, exactly where she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next period With all the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived by using a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.6 million deal, building her considered one of the very best-paid Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a product of consistency at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With several meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.
Her prolonged-term impression and advancement of major-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal incorporates bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and pupil progress.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Yearly Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-paid out coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain record and has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Last Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Shifting Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of your growing reputation and economic viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Courses are attracting extra countrywide Television set promotions, ticket income are rising, and corporate sponsors are becoming much more invested in women's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of your effort, leadership, and good results M88 these coaches deliver for their systems along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches presently guide the best way with regards to earnings, a number of Other people 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 plans and will split into the top rated five in the coming many years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport carries on to mature in acceptance and support, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to carry on increasing.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.