Females’s school basketball has witnessed exponential advancement in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the improved acceptance and business results of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position within their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include constructing powerhouse plans.
Right here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to be the gold conventional in Girls’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Closing 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, creating her the very best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Guys's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced the latest issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his price significant.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Salary: $two.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her second time While using the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived by using a worthwhile 8-calendar year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, 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: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a design of consistency at Maryland due to the fact taking up in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.
Her very long-phrase effects and growth of leading-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her latest 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 College
Estimated Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the highest-paid out coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Shifting Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of the expanding acceptance and fiscal viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Systems are attracting extra countrywide Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten a lot more invested in women's sports activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and results these coaches provide to their applications as well as the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these 5 coaches at the moment direct the way in which 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 these coaches has built important strides with their respective plans and will split into the top rated five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to develop.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded M88 Females’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to mature in acceptance and assistance, we will be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on growing.
Women of all ages’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.