Females’s university basketball has observed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last decade. With all the enhanced level of popularity and business results of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches deliver to their teams and universities. As universities continue on to invest in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the monetary rewards that include developing powerhouse packages.
Below’s a think about the five maximum-compensated Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their outstanding salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to be the gold standard in Women of all ages’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Ultimate Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.4 million contract, generating her the best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball heritage. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and prolonged with overall performance incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Approximated Annual Wage: $two.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked the program into Just about the most dominant dynasties in university basketball history—Adult males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady overall performance have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His recent deal features a base wage, media obligations, attire promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Whilst UConn has faced latest troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his worth large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out University (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $two.seven million
Immediately after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second season with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival came having a beneficial eight-year, $23.6 million contract, building her among the very best-paid out Females’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland given that taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over 20 years.
Her prolonged-phrase impact and progress of leading-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her recent offer contains bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and pupil enhancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply one of the highest-paid out coaches but will also the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win record and it has led Stanford to three countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Last 4 appearances.
Even though VanDerveer has never been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Shifting Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective with the developing popularity and fiscal viability of women’s faculty basketball. Systems are attracting additional countrywide Tv set discounts, ticket sales are escalating, and company sponsors are getting to be more invested in Ladies's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not only an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the effort, leadership, and good results these coaches deliver for their packages as well as the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide the best way with regards to earnings, many Other individuals are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every single of those coaches has made important strides with their respective courses and will split in the leading five in the approaching many years as Gals's basketball continues to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded Gals’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches M88 don't just command substantial salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. As the sport carries on to grow in acceptance and support, we will expect these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to carry on growing.
Gals’s school basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the tempo for the future of aggressive athletics.