Females’s college basketball has observed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. With all the enhanced level of popularity and business accomplishment with the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these top-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that include setting up powerhouse systems.
Here’s a think about the five greatest-paid Gals’s faculty 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
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold standard in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic seven-calendar year, $22.four million contract, making her the very best-paid out Black head coach in Women of all ages's college basketball heritage. That offer has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this list.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Income: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping 11 countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has transformed This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Guys's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured valuable contract renewals. His existing agreement includes a base wage, media obligations, attire specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Although UConn has faced modern worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his benefit high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out University (LSU)
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: M88 $two.7 million
Immediately after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, the place she received three national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In only her second year Together with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a brand new stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival arrived by using a lucrative eight-year, $23.six million contract, making her among the best-paid Women of all ages’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Annual Wage: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of consistency at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for over 20 years.
Her prolonged-term influence and growth of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal includes bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and scholar progress.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Annual Salary: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply one among the highest-paid coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and it has led Stanford to 3 nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Remaining Four appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer has never been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her area Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Shifting Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of such coaches are reflective of your rising popularity and monetary viability of ladies’s university basketball. Programs are attracting far more countrywide TV offers, ticket product sales are expanding, and corporate sponsors are getting to be a lot more invested in Girls's sports activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not just an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the hard work, leadership, and results these coaches deliver to their packages plus the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches currently guide just how in terms of earnings, several Other people are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of such coaches has made substantial strides with their respective packages and could crack into the leading 5 in the approaching yrs as Women of all ages's basketball proceeds to grow.
Last Ideas
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command significant salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to expand in popularity and assist, we can count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Ladies’s faculty basketball isn’t just maintaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.