5 Greatest-Paid Women's College Basketball Coaches
5 Greatest-Paid Women's College Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women’s faculty basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. While using the increased popularity and commercial achievements of your Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the worth and leadership these top-tier coaches provide for their teams and universities. As universities continue to invest within their Gals’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with constructing powerhouse systems.
Here’s a consider the five best-paid out Women of all ages’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their amazing salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds being the gold common in Females’s school basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking on This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million contract, producing her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $two.9 million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into The most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Gentlemen's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing offers, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted new worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his benefit higher.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Approximated Annual Income: $2.7 million
Soon after An effective two-ten years run at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her 2nd time Along with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different level of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival arrived with a valuable eight-year, $23.6 million deal, building her one among the highest-compensated Females’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With various convention championships, a national M88 title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than two decades.
Her long-phrase impact and enhancement of top rated-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her recent offer consists of bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and college student development.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely amongst the best-paid out coaches but in addition the winningest coach in NCAA Ladies's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire file and it has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Last Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer hasn't been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, progress of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her place One of the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Transforming Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The growing salaries of those coaches are reflective of your increasing reputation and economical viability of girls’s university basketball. Systems are attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are growing, and company sponsors have become additional invested in Women of all ages's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition of your labor, Management, and achievements these coaches convey to their programs as well as sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Though these five coaches at this time lead the best way with regards to earnings, several Many others are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of such coaches has produced major strides with their respective programs and will crack into your top 5 in the coming several years as Gals's basketball carries on to improve.
Closing Ideas
The times of underfunded Women of all ages’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command high salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity carries on to expand in attractiveness and help, we could expect these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Females’s faculty basketball isn’t just keeping pace—it’s environment the tempo for the future of competitive athletics.