5 Best-Compensated Ladies's Faculty Basketball Coaches

Women’s college basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. While using the elevated reputation and industrial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position in their women’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with setting up powerhouse courses.

Below’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold regular in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Closing 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, generating her the highest-paid Black head mentor in women's higher education basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this listing.

two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Wage: $two.nine million

A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has remodeled This system into Probably the most dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—men's or Ladies’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured rewarding contract renewals. His recent agreement includes a base wage, media obligations, attire discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced latest issues with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his worth large.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $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 planet by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next period With all the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her high-profile arrival arrived by using a rewarding 8-12 months, $23.6 million deal, building her one among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages'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 on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.

Her extensive-phrase effects and progress of top rated-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her recent offer consists of bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and scholar development.

5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not simply one of the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.

When VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.

A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and economical viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have become a lot M88 more invested in Females's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not merely a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, leadership, and good results these coaches deliver to their courses plus the sport as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Whilst these five coaches now direct the best way when it comes to earnings, several Many others are increasing:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every of such coaches has created substantial strides with their respective courses and could crack in to the top five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to grow.

Closing Thoughts
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command substantial salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, form the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to mature in reputation and aid, we are able to be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.

Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just maintaining tempo—it’s placing the rate for the way forward for competitive sports activities.