Girls’s college or university basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. With all the enhanced level of popularity and professional success of the Activity, 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 university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Yearly Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on for being the gold standard in Gals’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Remaining 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, creating her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's school basketball heritage. That deal has considering that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball heritage—men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His latest contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel specials, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Even though UConn has confronted current worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership continue to keep his value high.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $2.7 million
Right after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Together with the M88 Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh degree of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came having a profitable 8-calendar year, $23.6 million contract, earning her one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University 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-phrase impact and progress of leading-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present deal includes bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and scholar advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only one 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 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 place among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Shifting Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of the expanding reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s higher education basketball. Systems are attracting extra countrywide Tv set specials, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten a lot more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their applications and also the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Although these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in which in terms of earnings, quite a few Some others are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every of such coaches has manufactured substantial strides with their respective programs and could crack in the leading 5 in the coming yrs as Females's basketball proceeds to expand.
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. Given that the sport carries on to mature in reputation and aid, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Girls’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.