Women of all ages’s college basketball has witnessed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Using the enhanced popularity and commercial achievement on the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these best-tier coaches carry to their teams and universities. As universities continue to invest inside their Girls’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with building powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a consider the five best-compensated Girls’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their extraordinary salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley continues being the gold normal in Ladies’s college or university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has built South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Women of all ages's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Once-a-year Income: $2.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into Probably the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball record—Guys's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent functionality have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel discounts, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted new worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his benefit substantial.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Approximated Annual Salary: $2.7 million
Right after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, exactly where she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her second season With all the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new level of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came with a lucrative eight-12 months, $23.6 million contract, earning her amongst the very best-paid women’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 of all ages's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With multiple conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide contention for more than two decades.
Her very long-phrase effects and growth of leading-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer consists of bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student growth.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Yearly Income: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely one of the very best-paid out coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your expanding level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Applications are attracting a lot more national Television M88 bargains, ticket product sales are rising, and corporate sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of progress—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and success these coaches deliver for their courses as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in which in terms of 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 5 in the approaching yrs as Females'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 only command significant salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to improve in reputation and aid, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just holding tempo—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.