Women of all ages’s college basketball has witnessed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. While using the increased recognition and commercial achievement from the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities proceed to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that include setting up powerhouse systems.
Listed 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 amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold normal in women’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Because taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Last 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million deal, generating her the best-paid Black head mentor in Ladies's faculty basketball history. That deal has since been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Income: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide 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 Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His latest deal features a base salary, media obligations, apparel promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has faced current issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership continue to keep his benefit high.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next time with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 national championship, bringing a brand new level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival arrived using a beneficial eight-yr, $23.six million agreement, producing her one among the highest-compensated Women of all ages’s coaches at any time. Recognized for M88 her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of consistency at Maryland since taking on in 2002. With several conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her very long-phrase effects and progress of prime-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her current deal includes bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and scholar advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Last Four appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her leadership, enhancement of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your expanding acceptance and money viability of girls’s college basketball. Applications are attracting much more national TV bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors have become much more invested in Ladies's sports.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the hard work, Management, and achievements these coaches convey for their packages along with the sport in general.
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)
Every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective programs and will break into the top rated five in the approaching a long time as Ladies's basketball proceeds to expand.
Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society 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 will expect these salaries—plus the profiles of such leaders—to continue soaring.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.
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