five Greatest-Paid Females's College or university Basketball Coaches
five Greatest-Paid Females's College or university Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women’s higher education basketball has observed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Using the amplified reputation and industrial success in the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and leadership these top rated-tier coaches convey for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position in their Ladies’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.
Listed here’s a look at the five highest-paid out Females’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Yearly Income: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley continues being the gold common in Ladies’s college or university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking on This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Closing 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million agreement, creating her the highest-compensated Black head coach in Females's college or university basketball background. That deal has since been restructured and prolonged with effectiveness incentives, inserting her firmly at the best of this list.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Salary: $2.9 million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has transformed This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball heritage—Males's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable effectiveness have ensured worthwhile contract renewals. His present agreement features a foundation wage, media obligations, clothing bargains, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. Though UConn has faced modern challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management maintain his benefit high.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Approximated Annual Income: $two.7 million
Following A prosperous two-10 years operate at Baylor, where by she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by joining LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd year While using the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 national championship, bringing a completely new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival arrived having a lucrative 8-year, $23.six million agreement, producing her one among the highest-compensated Women of all ages’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a model of consistency at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in nationwide contention for over two decades.
Her very long-term affect and M88 improvement of top rated-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present-day offer includes bonuses for academic efficiency, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and university student development.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely one among the very best-paid coaches but also the winningest mentor in NCAA Gals's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get record and it has led Stanford to three countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Last Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer hasn't been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, growth of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her put One of the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Transforming Landscape in Females's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective of the rising reputation and financial viability of women’s faculty basketball. Plans are attracting extra national Television bargains, ticket income are raising, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of progress—it’s a recognition of the hard work, leadership, and achievement these coaches bring for their systems as well as sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches presently guide the best way regarding earnings, numerous Other people are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of those coaches has made sizeable strides with their respective packages and will split into your prime 5 in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball carries on to grow.
Ultimate Views
The times of underfunded Females’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command significant salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, condition the society in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. Since the sport carries on to grow in reputation and guidance, we can count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to carry on rising.
Ladies’s university basketball isn’t just preserving speed—it’s placing the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports activities.