Women’s university basketball has witnessed exponential advancement in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Along with the amplified popularity and commercial success from the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to invest in their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with building powerhouse systems.
Below’s a look at the 5 highest-compensated women’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their spectacular salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Yearly Salary: $3.one million
Dawn Staley proceeds to generally be the gold typical in Females’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Final Four 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 school basketball heritage. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the checklist.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked This system into The most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Gentlemen's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His current contract includes a base income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. While UConn has faced recent difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $2.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-10 years run at M88 Baylor, in which she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a brand new level of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival came using a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.6 million contract, creating her certainly one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching style, 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 built a design of consistency at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her lengthy-time period influence and enhancement of prime-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer consists of bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student improvement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Ladies's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain record and has led Stanford to three countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has not been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot One of the all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Switching Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the developing level of popularity and money viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Courses are attracting extra countrywide Tv set specials, ticket profits are raising, and corporate sponsors have become more invested in Gals's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, Management, and results these coaches carry for their packages along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently direct the way in which when it comes to earnings, various others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of those coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective applications and will break into your prime 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to improve.
Last Feelings
The days of underfunded Girls’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher 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 increase in recognition and assist, we can assume these salaries—and the profiles of these leaders—to continue climbing.
Females’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.