Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has witnessed exponential advancement in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. With the improved level of popularity and professional achievement in the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these major-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with creating powerhouse applications.
Here’s a think about the 5 greatest-paid Women of all ages’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to be the gold typical in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.4 million agreement, creating her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Women of all ages's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Income: $two.9 million
A living 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 record—Males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, attire discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. When UConn has confronted the latest difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Wage: $two.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-ten years run at Baylor, in which she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came having a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million contract, earning her amongst the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized 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 developed a model of regularity at Maryland given that taking on in 2002. With many conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide contention for more than two decades.
Her very long-term effects and growth of leading-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer consists of bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student progress.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Yearly Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire history and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer has not been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the rising attractiveness and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Tv set discounts, ticket income are raising, and company sponsors have become far more invested in Girls's athletics.
The rise in coaching M88 salaries is not just a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver for their courses as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches now direct the way in which with regards to earnings, a number of others are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of these coaches has made sizeable strides with their respective packages and could crack in to the top 5 in the coming yrs as Females's basketball continues to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded women’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport proceeds to increase in recognition and guidance, we are able to hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.