five Maximum-Paid out Gals's University Basketball Coaches
five Maximum-Paid out Gals's University Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women’s higher education basketball has observed exponential advancement in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. With all the greater reputation and professional achievement from 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 continue on to take a position within their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that include creating powerhouse applications.
Here’s a think about the five greatest-compensated Girls’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their extraordinary salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold regular in women’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Closing Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, earning her the highest-paid out Black head coach in women's faculty basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has remodeled This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—men's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His latest deal features a foundation wage, media obligations, attire offers, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has faced current challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his worth substantial.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $2.7 million
Right after a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, where she received a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period With all the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a new amount of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival arrived that has a profitable 8-calendar year, $23.6 million contract, earning her amongst the very best-paid Women of all ages’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a model of regularity at Maryland because taking over in 2002. With multiple meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide contention for over 20 years.
Her extended-time period impression and growth of prime-tier talent have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her current deal includes bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student growth.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply one of the highest-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer has not been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Switching Landscape in Females's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of the increasing popularity and economic viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Systems are attracting far more nationwide Television set discounts, ticket sales are rising, and company sponsors M88 are getting to be more invested in Gals's sports activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of development—it’s a recognition from the exertions, leadership, and success these coaches provide to their applications and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches at the moment lead the way concerning earnings, various Other folks are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective applications and could split in to the top 5 in the coming years as Ladies's basketball carries on to improve.
Remaining Feelings
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the tradition in their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to increase in recognition and guidance, we are able to be expecting these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.