five Greatest-Paid Ladies's University Basketball Coaches

Ladies’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Together with the greater attractiveness and professional achievements of your Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these major-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities carry on to speculate of their Gals’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include making powerhouse packages.

Right here’s a look at the 5 greatest-compensated Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their extraordinary salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Income: $3.one million

Dawn Staley carries on to be the gold typical in Females’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Final 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million deal, creating her the best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's school basketball heritage. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with overall performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of the list.

2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $2.9 million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into The most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Gentlemen's or Gals’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Though UConn has confronted the latest challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his benefit high.

three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Annual Salary: $two.seven million

Immediately after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball planet by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a brand new level of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her large-profile arrival arrived which has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Yearly Salary: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland given that taking over in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.

Her extensive-phrase impact and growth of leading-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her existing offer consists of bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and M88 university student advancement.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Income: $one.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the highest-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.

While VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.

A Shifting Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of the expanding reputation and economic viability of ladies’s higher education basketball. Systems are attracting additional countrywide Tv set discounts, ticket income are rising, and corporate sponsors have become much more invested in Ladies's sports.

The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches bring for their systems along with the sport in general.

Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide the way in which with regards to earnings, several others are going up:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each and every of such coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective programs and will break in the best 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to increase.

Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to improve in recognition and help, we can anticipate these salaries—as well as profiles of such leaders—to continue mounting.

Women’s school basketball isn’t just preserving pace—it’s placing the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.