Women’s faculty basketball has observed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Using the enhanced reputation and commercial results of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these best-tier coaches provide for their groups and universities. As universities carry on to speculate inside their women’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the economic benefits that include building powerhouse courses.
Here’s a look at the 5 greatest-compensated women’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their extraordinary salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds being the gold normal in Gals’s university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has built South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking up the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.four million agreement, earning her the highest-paid Black head mentor in Women of all ages's school basketball background. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, inserting her firmly at the top of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has transformed the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in school basketball heritage—Guys's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured valuable contract renewals. His current agreement features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. While UConn has confronted current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her second season Using the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a whole new stage of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived with a rewarding eight-calendar year, $23.six million agreement, creating her considered one of the very best-paid out Girls’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching M88 design, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals'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 up in 2002. With several conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in countrywide competition for over twenty years.
Her extended-term impression and advancement of top rated-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her recent offer includes bonuses for educational functionality, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student growth.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Salary: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the very best-paid coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire history and has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer hasn't been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her place Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Modifying Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of the growing attractiveness and financial viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Courses are attracting extra countrywide Tv set specials, ticket profits are raising, and corporate sponsors have gotten more invested in Females's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the hard work, leadership, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their plans as well as the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide the best way when it comes to earnings, a number of others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective packages and could crack in to the leading five in the approaching years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport carries on to grow in level of popularity and assistance, we could expect these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue growing.
Gals’s school basketball isn’t just preserving rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.