Women of all ages’s higher education basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Along with the elevated popularity and commercial good results with the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these best-tier coaches carry to their teams and universities. As universities continue to speculate of their Gals’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the money benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a think about the five highest-compensated Girls’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their remarkable salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold common in Females’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million agreement, building her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's school basketball record. That deal has considering that been restructured and prolonged with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the very best of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $2.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady effectiveness have ensured profitable contract renewals. His recent agreement features a foundation wage, media obligations, clothing promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has faced current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his price substantial.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Approximated Annual Salary: $2.seven million
After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, where by she received a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a whole new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived which has a valuable eight-yr, $23.6 million deal, generating her among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a product of consistency at Maryland since taking on in 2002. With several meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.
Her long-expression influence and enhancement of prime-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent deal involves bonuses for academic functionality, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and college student enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the best-paid coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her put among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Shifting Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the increasing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Applications are attracting a lot more nationwide Television bargains, ticket product sales are rising, and corporate sponsors have become much more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the hard work, Management, and achievements these coaches convey for their packages along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches at present lead just how with regard to earnings, many Other individuals are on the M88 rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of such coaches has created substantial strides with their respective courses and will break in the prime 5 in the coming a long time as Women of all ages's basketball proceeds to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command significant salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport carries on to mature in acceptance and support, we could anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Ladies’s faculty basketball isn’t just trying to keep speed—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.
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