five Greatest-Paid Females's College or university Basketball Coaches
five Greatest-Paid Females's College or university Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s university basketball has found exponential advancement in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. With the elevated reputation and industrial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these prime-tier coaches provide to their teams and universities. As universities carry on to speculate within their Females’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that come with building powerhouse courses.
Right here’s a think about the 5 optimum-paid out Females’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their extraordinary salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold common in Ladies’s college 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 up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Final 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million contract, earning her the highest-compensated Black head coach in Girls's school basketball heritage. That deal has considering 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: $2.9 million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady general performance have ensured profitable agreement renewals. His recent deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced modern troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his benefit superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-decade run at Baylor, where she received a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second season with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival arrived which has a valuable eight-yr, $23.6 million deal, generating her one among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is M88 central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Annual Wage: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.
Her extensive-expression influence and enhancement of best-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer involves bonuses for tutorial functionality, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and pupil enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only one among the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain record and has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous 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 leadership, 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 on the rising attractiveness and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more nationwide Television bargains, ticket income are rising, and corporate sponsors have become much more invested in Females's sports activities.
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
When these 5 coaches at present lead just how with regard to earnings, many Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of those coaches has created significant strides with their respective courses and will break in the best 5 in the coming years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Ultimate Thoughts
The days of underfunded women’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity carries on to mature in reputation and support, we will expect these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women’s university basketball isn’t just holding tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.