Women of all ages’s university basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Along with the amplified popularity and commercial good results on the sport, especially in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position within their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the monetary rewards that include developing powerhouse applications.

Here’s a look at the 5 best-compensated Girls’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold standard in Gals’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that 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 made headlines by signing a historic 7-year, $22.4 million deal, building her the very best-paid out Black head mentor in Girls's school basketball heritage. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the list.

2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $2.nine 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 or university basketball background—Adult men's or women’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and steady effectiveness have ensured profitable contract renewals. His recent agreement features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced latest issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his price superior.

three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million

Following a successful two-decade run at Baylor, wherever 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 fresh 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 Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, 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 Income: $1.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With various conference championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.

Her long-expression influence and enhancement of prime-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal involves bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and college student development.

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

Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win document and has led Stanford to 3 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 Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching background.

A Modifying Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The expanding salaries of these coaches are reflective from the developing acceptance and money viability of girls’s college basketball. Applications are attracting much more national TV offers, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming much more invested in Ladies's sports.

The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the hard work, Management, and achievements these coaches bring for their systems plus the sport as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at the moment direct the way with regards to earnings, numerous Other people are on the rise:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each individual of M88 those coaches has produced significant strides with their respective systems and could crack to the leading 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to improve.

Ultimate Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’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 sport carries on to mature in acceptance and support, we will expect these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.

Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive athletics.