Gals’s university basketball has viewed exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the improved recognition and commercial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches provide to their teams and universities. As universities carry on to invest of their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with building powerhouse plans.
Here’s a think about the five maximum-paid Females’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on for being the gold normal in Girls’s college basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, earning her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's university basketball record. That deal has considering that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, placing her firmly at the top of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $2.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 transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball background—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured beneficial contract renewals. His current deal features a base wage, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced new challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her second period Using 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 came by using a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid out Women of all ages’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland given that taking on in 2002. With a number of meeting championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for M88 over twenty years.
Her lengthy-time period effect and improvement of top rated-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her current deal features bonuses for academic efficiency, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and pupil improvement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Annual Salary: $1.3 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 background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last Four appearances.
Though VanDerveer hasn't been 1 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 One of the all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Switching Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective from the developing recognition and monetary 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 extra invested in Girls's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and good results these coaches carry to their courses plus the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches at present direct the way in which when it comes to earnings, several Many others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective programs and will break in the leading 5 in the coming yrs as Females's basketball proceeds to expand.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command superior salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to develop in level of popularity and aid, we could expect these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Gals’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the pace for the future of competitive athletics.