5 Highest-Compensated Ladies's College or university Basketball Coaches

Females’s college or university basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. With the improved reputation and industrial accomplishment on the sport, especially in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these top-tier coaches deliver to 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 rewards that come with creating powerhouse packages.

Below’s a consider the 5 optimum-paid out women’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their outstanding salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Yearly Income: $3.one million

Dawn Staley continues to be the gold typical in Females’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Final 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million deal, creating her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Girls's college basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.

2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $two.9 million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into The most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball history—Guys's or Gals’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His existing agreement includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $2.seven million

Just after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a whole new degree of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her large-profile arrival came which has a valuable 8-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, M88 and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Income: $1.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With several conference championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than two decades.

Her very long-phrase effects and advancement of top-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her latest deal involves bonuses for tutorial functionality, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student advancement.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Annual Wage: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win document and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.

While VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her put among the all-time greats in coaching historical past.

A Transforming Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the expanding level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Programs are attracting much more national TV deals, ticket sales are expanding, and corporate sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not simply an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and results these coaches provide to their programs as well as Activity as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches at present lead how when it comes to earnings, numerous Other people are rising:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each individual of those coaches has made sizeable strides with their respective packages and could split into the top rated five in the approaching many years as Gals's basketball continues to improve.

Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Gals’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to increase in recognition and guidance, we can assume these salaries—and the profiles of these leaders—to continue soaring.

Ladies’s faculty basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.