5 Highest-Paid Females's College or university Basketball Coaches

Girls’s higher education basketball has found exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the increased reputation and industrial good results on the sport, especially in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches provide to their teams and universities. As universities continue to speculate of their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that include setting up powerhouse systems.

Listed here’s a look at the 5 optimum-paid women’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite payment.

1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Salary: $3.one million

Dawn Staley continues 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. Given that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Final Four appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million deal, generating her the highest-compensated Black head mentor in Girls's school basketball heritage. That deal has considering that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of this listing.

two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $2.nine million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult men's or women’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and steady functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His present contract includes a base income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. While UConn has confronted 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 Annual Salary: $two.seven million

Immediately after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second season with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her significant-profile arrival came having a lucrative eight-yr, $23.six million agreement, producing her certainly one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly designed a design of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With many conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.

Her extensive-phrase impact and growth of leading-tier expertise have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal incorporates bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and pupil progress.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Yearly Income: $one.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate Four appearances.

When VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has M88 ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.

A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and financial viability of girls’s college basketball. Programs are attracting much more national Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Females's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the effort, Management, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their courses as well as sport as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Though these five coaches presently direct the best way with regards to earnings, a number of others are going up:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every single of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective applications and will break in the best 5 in the coming yrs as Females's basketball proceeds to expand.

Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command large salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to mature in acceptance and aid, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.

Girls’s college basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.