five Highest-Paid Females's College Basketball Coaches
five Highest-Paid Females's College Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s college basketball has observed exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last decade. Along with the increased recognition and industrial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches carry to their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a consider the five best-paid out Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold typical in Females’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million contract, generating her the best-paid Black head coach in women's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Approximated Annual Salary: $2.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in school basketball heritage—men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His current contract includes a base wage, media obligations, attire promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has faced latest issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his price superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $two.7 million
Immediately after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next time with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came with a lucrative eight-yr, $23.6 million deal, generating her one among 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 Gals's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a design of consistency at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for more than two decades.
Her very long-phrase effects and progress of best-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer 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 M88 million
Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the highest-paid coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win file and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.
Even though VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your growing reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Systems are attracting extra countrywide Television set promotions, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors are getting to be extra invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and results these coaches provide to their plans and also the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches currently guide the best 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 those coaches has created significant strides with their respective courses and could crack in the best 5 in the coming years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Closing Thoughts
The times of underfunded Ladies’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command higher salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. As the sport proceeds to develop in attractiveness and assist, we can assume these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports.