Gals’s university basketball has noticed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last decade. Using the increased attractiveness and industrial good results in the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these best-tier coaches provide for their groups and universities. As universities proceed to take a position inside their Girls’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the monetary rewards that include developing powerhouse courses.
Here’s a look at the 5 best-paid Girls’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their outstanding salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Yearly Wage: $three.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold conventional in Gals’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Closing Four appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-year, $22.four million agreement, making her the highest-paid out Black head coach in Girls's higher education basketball heritage. That offer has due to the fact been restructured and extended with overall performance incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of the checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Believed Annual Salary: $2.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed This system into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball record—Adult males's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant effectiveness have ensured valuable deal renewals. His present-day contract includes a base wage, media obligations, attire specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. When UConn has faced recent challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management preserve his benefit high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Annual Salary: $two.7 million
Right after a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her next year Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival came having a lucrative eight-yr, $23.6 million agreement, producing her one of the very best-paid out Females’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $one.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a product of consistency at Maryland due to the fact taking up in 2002. With numerous convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than 20 years.
Her extensive-phrase impression and progress of top rated-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present-day offer includes bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and university student development.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Approximated Yearly Wage: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely one among the very best-paid coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire history and has led Stanford to 3 nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Final 4 appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place Among the many all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Switching Landscape in Women's Basketball
The rising salaries of these coaches are reflective of your expanding attractiveness and financial viability of girls’s university basketball. Packages are attracting much more national TV specials, ticket profits are growing, and corporate sponsors are getting to be far more invested in Girls's sporting activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not only an indication of progress—it’s a recognition on the hard work, leadership, and M88 success these coaches deliver to their packages as well as the sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches now guide the way in terms of earnings, numerous Some others are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of those coaches has designed sizeable strides with their respective applications and will crack into your leading 5 in the approaching several years as Girls's basketball carries on to expand.
Last Views
The times of underfunded women’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command superior salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, form the culture in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport proceeds to grow in level of popularity and support, we are able to expect these salaries—and also the profiles of these leaders—to carry on mounting.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining rate—it’s placing the pace for the future of competitive sporting activities.