five Optimum-Paid out Women of all ages's University Basketball Coaches
five Optimum-Paid out Women of all ages's University Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s university basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the improved acceptance and business results of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these top-tier coaches bring to their groups and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with setting up powerhouse courses.
Below’s a consider the five best-paid out Females’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds being the gold normal in Ladies’s college or university 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 various NCAA Ultimate Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million deal, creating her the best-paid Black head coach in Gals's university basketball record. That deal has considering that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, placing her firmly at the very best of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.9 million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into One of the more dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His latest deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced current issues with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership retain his benefit high.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.7 million
Right after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, where she received 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next period Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival came using a profitable 8-calendar year, $23.6 million contract, earning her considered one of the best-paid out Females’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 Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a design 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 held 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 Office. Her existing offer contains bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and pupil enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Annual Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely one among the best-paid coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford M88 to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer has not been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, improvement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and financial viability of women’s college basketball. Applications are attracting much more national TV offers, ticket revenue are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming much more invested in Ladies's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the effort, leadership, and good results these coaches deliver for their systems plus the sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Though these five coaches presently lead just how with regard to earnings, various Other folks are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of those coaches has created significant strides with their respective systems and could crack in to the top five in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball proceeds to expand.
Remaining Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in attractiveness and help, we can easily count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to carry on soaring.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of aggressive sporting activities.