Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has seen exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Together with the greater attractiveness and professional achievements of the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and Management these major-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities carry on to invest of their Gals’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include constructing powerhouse plans.
Here’s a think about the five highest-compensated Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Wage: $3.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold regular in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million contract, generating her the best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball heritage. That offer has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with efficiency incentives, inserting her firmly at the top of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Income: $two.9 million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball record—Males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His present-day deal features a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, 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 price superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.seven million
After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, where by she received 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year Together with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival came using a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million contract, earning her amongst the very best-paid Women of all ages’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland because 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 over 20 years.
Her long-expression influence and enhancement of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer consists of bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student progress.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Switching Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising popularity and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more nationwide Television bargains, ticket product sales M88 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 progress—it’s a recognition from the effort, Management, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their programs and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these five coaches currently direct the best way with regards to earnings, numerous Other people are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of those coaches has made sizeable strides with their respective systems and could crack to the top 5 in the coming yrs as Girls's basketball continues to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command significant salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the culture 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 are able to hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on growing.
Gals’s school basketball isn’t just preserving pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.