Females’s higher education basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Using the improved level of popularity and professional achievements of your Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with creating powerhouse applications.
Below’s a think about the 5 highest-compensated Gals’s faculty 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
Approximated Annual Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold common in Ladies’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.4 million agreement, earning her the highest-compensated Black head mentor in Females's college basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Income: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has remodeled the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in higher education basketball record—Males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation salary, media obligations, attire bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. When UConn has confronted the latest challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value high.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Right after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, where she received a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second year with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 national championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came with a lucrative eight-yr, $23.6 million deal, generating her one among the highest-compensated Gals’s M88 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: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking on in 2002. With several meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her very long-time period impact and enhancement of major-tier talent have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer involves bonuses for tutorial effectiveness, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and college student enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.
When 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 historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective from the developing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting more national Television set promotions, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors are getting to be additional invested in Gals's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition in the effort, Management, and results these coaches provide to their plans as well as the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches currently guide the best way with regards to earnings, a number of others are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every single of these coaches has built major strides with their respective plans and will split into your prime five in the coming years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s packages 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 Gals’s basketball to new heights. As the sport proceeds to develop in level of popularity and assistance, we could anticipate these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to continue increasing.
Females’s university basketball isn’t just holding speed—it’s environment the speed for the future of aggressive sporting activities.