5 Highest-Paid Ladies's Faculty Basketball Coaches

Females’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Along with the amplified popularity and commercial achievement from the sport, specifically 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 continue on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that come with creating powerhouse applications.

Here’s a think about the five highest-compensated Girls’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.one million

Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold conventional 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 over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Closing Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million contract, generating her the best-paid out Black head mentor in women's university basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of the checklist.

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

A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His existing agreement includes a base wage, media obligations, attire discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted modern worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his price large.

three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.7 million

Soon after An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, exactly where she won a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next period Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a brand new level of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her higher-profile arrival came which has a valuable eight-yr, $23.six million agreement, producing her certainly one of the highest-paid out Females’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Annual Wage: $1.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With several meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than two decades.

Her extensive-expression influence and progress of best-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her present offer includes bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and scholar improvement.

5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Salary: $1.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not only among the best-compensated coaches but additionally 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 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last 4 appearances.

While VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her area Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.

A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and economical viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting far more national TV deals, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors are getting to be additional invested in Gals's athletics.

The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the hard work, Management, and results these coaches carry to their applications and the Activity as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches at the moment lead the way concerning earnings, many Other individuals are on the rise:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each individual of those coaches has produced sizeable strides with their respective packages and could split in to the major five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to develop.

Closing Thoughts
The times of underfunded women’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the culture of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to develop in attractiveness and M88 help, we could anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.

Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just preserving pace—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.