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 applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches carry to their groups and universities. As universities go on to take a position within their Females’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that come with making powerhouse applications.
Here’s a think about the five greatest-compensated Gals’s higher education 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
Believed Yearly Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley continues for being the gold conventional in Females’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Closing Four 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 Girls's university basketball record. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with overall performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the best of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Income: $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 began in 1985, has remodeled This system into Probably the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Adult males's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His recent deal features a foundation income, media obligations, apparel specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Whilst UConn has faced modern problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership retain his value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Soon after A prosperous two-10 years operate at Baylor, where she won three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball world by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a different amount of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came by using a beneficial eight-12 months, $23.6 million contract, creating her considered one of the very best-paid out Women of all ages’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Income: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a model of regularity at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With several meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide contention for more than two decades.
Her long-expression influence and development of major-tier talent have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her recent offer incorporates bonuses for academic performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual commitment to athletics and college student development.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one M88 of the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer has not been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her leadership, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her location Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The increasing salaries of such coaches are reflective from the increasing popularity and economical viability of ladies’s higher education basketball. Packages are attracting a lot more nationwide Television bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in women's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and results these coaches provide to their applications as well as the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches presently guide how regarding earnings, numerous Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of those coaches has made sizeable strides with their respective packages and could split into the major five in the coming several years as Females's basketball proceeds to increase.
Final Feelings
The days of underfunded Girls’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in popularity and guidance, we are able to be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of such leaders—to continue mounting.
Ladies’s faculty basketball isn’t just maintaining speed—it’s location the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.