Women’s university basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With all the enhanced level of popularity and professional accomplishment in the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these leading-tier coaches bring to their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position within their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the monetary benefits that include creating powerhouse plans.
Here’s a think about the five greatest-compensated Girls’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to be the gold typical in Females’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million deal, producing her the best-paid 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 top of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Yearly Income: $2.nine million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping 11 countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured valuable agreement renewals. His recent agreement includes a foundation salary, media obligations, clothing offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced new issues with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $2.seven million
Right after An effective two-decade operate at Baylor, where she received a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by M88 joining LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period With all the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a whole new stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival arrived using a rewarding eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, building her one among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in nationwide contention for over twenty years.
Her extended-time period affect and development of top rated-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer consists of bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and scholar improvement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win document and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer hasn't been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Amongst the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Altering Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of the growing recognition and economic viability of women’s higher education basketball. Courses are attracting extra national Television set deals, ticket revenue are rising, and company sponsors are becoming far more invested in Ladies's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition from the labor, Management, and accomplishment these coaches bring for their systems plus the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches presently guide the best way with regards to earnings, a number of others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective programs and will crack to the top 5 in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball proceeds to develop.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded women’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command significant salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport carries on to grow in acceptance and support, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just maintaining tempo—it’s environment the pace for the way forward for competitive athletics.