Women of all ages’s college basketball has viewed exponential advancement in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. With the elevated acceptance and professional success of the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these top-tier coaches convey for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position inside their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include setting up powerhouse systems.
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 payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold regular in women’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million deal, producing her the best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball history. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult males's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady effectiveness have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His existing agreement includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel discounts, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Event runs. Even though UConn has confronted new worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Salary: $2.seven million
After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd season Using the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival arrived using a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, building her one among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in M88 2002. With many conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.
Her extensive-phrase effects and growth of top-tier talent have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her current deal includes bonuses for educational general performance, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and scholar improvement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only one among the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win file and it has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer hasn't been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, 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 rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and financial viability of women’s college basketball. Applications are attracting a lot more national TV bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in women's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and results these coaches provide to their applications and also the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide how when it comes to earnings, several Other people are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every single of these coaches has built major strides with their respective plans and could split into the top rated five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to develop.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to grow in level of popularity and assistance, we could anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just holding tempo—it’s placing the rate for the way forward for competitive sports activities.