Females’s university basketball has viewed exponential advancement in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With all the greater attractiveness and professional achievements of 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 keep on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with developing powerhouse applications.

In this article’s a think about the five highest-compensated Girls’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.one million

Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold conventional in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, earning her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball background. That offer has because been restructured and extended with overall performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the best of this checklist.

two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Wage: $two.nine million

A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Guys's or Gals’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His current contract includes a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth large.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $2.7 million

Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, where by she received 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd season Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her large-profile arrival came with a valuable eight-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid out women’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her M88 passionate coaching style, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over 20 years.

Her lengthy-time period effect and development of prime-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer contains bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student advancement.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not only among the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get file and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Last Four appearances.

Even though VanDerveer has not been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the 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. Programs are attracting much more national TV deals, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and results these coaches carry to their programs as well as Activity as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches at present lead how regarding earnings, numerous Other people are rising:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Just about every of these coaches has built important strides with their respective plans and will break into your prime 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to increase.

Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command higher salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the tradition in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to increase in popularity and assist, we can easily count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.

Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just holding tempo—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.