Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has seen exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Along with the elevated acceptance and business results of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these major-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to speculate inside their Females’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include setting up powerhouse systems.
Below’s a consider the five best-paid out Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold standard in Gals’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million agreement, earning her the highest-compensated Black head coach in Girls's school basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in school basketball heritage—men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His latest deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced modern worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his benefit high.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $2.7 million
Right after An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, exactly where she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her 2nd season Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival came which has a valuable eight-yr, $23.6 million deal, building her one among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has M88 retained the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her prolonged-term impression and advancement of top-tier expertise have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer consists of bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student growth.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer has not been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her spot One of the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Changing Landscape in Women's Basketball
The expanding salaries of these coaches are reflective in the rising popularity and financial viability of women’s higher education basketball. Courses are attracting a lot more countrywide Television bargains, ticket income are rising, and company sponsors have become a lot more invested in Girls's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition with the hard work, leadership, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their programs as well as sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches now 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 those coaches has made sizeable strides with their respective systems and could crack to the leading 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to improve in reputation and support, we will expect these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.