Girls’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Along with the amplified popularity and commercial success from the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these prime-tier coaches bring to their teams and universities. As universities go on to speculate within their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the financial rewards that come with setting up powerhouse packages.
Right here’s a think about the 5 best-paid Girls’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their remarkable salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Believed Annual Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold regular in Females’s higher education basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Remaining 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic 7-year, $22.four million contract, generating her the highest-paid Black head mentor in Gals's higher education basketball history. That deal has since been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, inserting her firmly at the highest of this checklist.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.9 million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Adult men's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His current contract includes a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has confronted recent challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.7 million
After a successful two-ten M88 years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second time While using the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came which has a beneficial 8-year, $23.6 million contract, making her one of the best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of consistency at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With several meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide contention for over twenty years.
Her prolonged-time period affect and development of top rated-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her recent offer contains bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and scholar development.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
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.
Although VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, growth of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Shifting Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your escalating recognition and monetary viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more national TV discounts, ticket income are rising, and company sponsors have become more invested in Ladies's sports.
The rise in coaching salaries is not only a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of your exertions, Management, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their courses as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Though these five coaches presently guide just how concerning 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 substantial strides with their respective courses and will crack into the major five in the approaching a long time as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to grow.
Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Gals’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the tradition in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. Given that the Activity carries on to expand in level of popularity and help, we can easily anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just preserving rate—it’s setting the tempo for the future of aggressive athletics.