Ladies’s higher education basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the elevated reputation and industrial accomplishment on the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and leadership these top rated-tier coaches provide for their teams and universities. As universities carry on to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the money benefits that come with building powerhouse courses.
Below’s a consider the five best-paid out Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Annual Income: $3.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on to get the gold common in Ladies’s college basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed 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 national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million contract, building her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's faculty basketball background. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Believed Annual Salary: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in school basketball heritage—Males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable efficiency have ensured valuable contract renewals. His existing deal features a foundation income, media obligations, attire specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced new problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership keep his worth significant.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $2.7 million
Immediately after An effective two-ten years run at Baylor, where by she received a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her 2nd year Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a whole new stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived by using a worthwhile 8-calendar year, $23.six million contract, making her one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than two decades.
Her extensive-phrase impact and progress of best-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her present offer includes bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and college student improvement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only among the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her leadership, M88 growth of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her put 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 growing reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Systems are attracting extra countrywide Tv set specials, ticket profits are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten a lot more invested in Girls's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, leadership, and achievements these coaches provide to their plans as well as the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide the best way with regards to earnings, a number of others are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every single of these coaches has built important strides with their respective applications and will split into the top rated five in the approaching many years as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to grow.
Ultimate Thoughts
The days of underfunded Girls’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command high salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, condition the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. As the sport proceeds to develop in attractiveness and help, we can easily anticipate these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue climbing.
Women’s university basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.