five Highest-Paid Females's Higher education Basketball Coaches

Women of all ages’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Together with the greater attractiveness and professional achievements of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these top-tier coaches deliver to their teams and universities. As universities continue to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with creating powerhouse applications.

Here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Women of all ages’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their outstanding salaries but in addition 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 become the gold standard in Gals’s higher education basketball coaching. A former 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 several NCAA Final Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million contract, earning her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college basketball heritage. That offer has given 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 Once-a-year Salary: $2.nine million

A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide 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—Guys's or Gals’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. When UConn has confronted the latest challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his price high.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.seven million

Immediately after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, the place she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by joining LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd year Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh degree of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her superior-profile arrival arrived that has a worthwhile 8-year, $23.six million agreement, producing her among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national rivalry for over twenty years.

Her extended-term affect and advancement of major-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her current deal includes bonuses for educational general performance, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and college student development.

5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not M88 just considered one of the highest-paid coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Last Four appearances.

When VanDerveer hasn't been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.

A Switching Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of those coaches are reflective in the rising attractiveness and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Television discounts, ticket income are raising, and company sponsors have become far more invested in Girls's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and success these coaches bring for their systems plus the sport as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches at present lead just how concerning earnings, various Other folks are increasing:

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 could break in the best 5 in the coming years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.

Ultimate Thoughts
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command substantial 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 improve in reputation and aid, we are able to hope these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.

Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the way forward for competitive sports activities.