five Highest-Paid out Females's University Basketball Coaches

Women’s college or university basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. With 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 to their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.

In this article’s a consider the five optimum-paid out Ladies’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.

1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold standard in Gals’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million deal, producing her the best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball record. That deal has considering that been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this listing.

two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Salary: $2.9 million

A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has remodeled the program into The most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball history—Males's or Females’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and steady functionality have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His latest agreement includes a base salary, media obligations, clothing promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced recent challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management hold his worth higher.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out University (LSU)
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $2.seven million

Just after An effective two-10 years operate at Baylor, where by she gained three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In only M88 her second time Along with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a new stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her large-profile arrival arrived by using a rewarding eight-yr, $23.six million agreement, creating her amongst the very best-paid Gals’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Wage: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland because taking up in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide contention for over twenty years.

Her lengthy-expression impact and growth of major-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her present offer features bonuses for academic functionality, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and college student enhancement.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Annual Wage: $1.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not simply amongst the highest-paid coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain history and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final 4 appearances.

While VanDerveer has never been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, improvement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her spot One of the all-time greats in coaching background.

A Modifying Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective in the developing reputation and economic viability of women’s school basketball. Applications are attracting more countrywide Tv set discounts, ticket product sales are growing, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Females's sports.

The increase in coaching salaries is not only an indication of development—it’s a recognition in the hard work, Management, and good results these coaches bring for their plans and also the Activity as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Though these five coaches presently guide the way in which in terms of earnings, various Other folks are on the rise:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Just about every of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective courses and could crack in to the major five in the coming years as Girls's basketball proceeds to expand.

Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded women’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the sport carries on to mature in reputation and guidance, we can count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue growing.

Gals’s college basketball isn’t just retaining tempo—it’s placing the speed for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.