Women of all ages’s college basketball has witnessed exponential advancement in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With all the amplified popularity and commercial success from the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these best-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position inside their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money benefits that come with making powerhouse systems.
Below’s a look at the 5 maximum-compensated Females’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to be the gold typical in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up 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 built headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, creating her the highest-compensated Black head mentor in Girls's school basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Income: $two.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured profitable contract renewals. His recent deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced modern worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Estimated Once-a-year Income: $two.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-10 years operate at Baylor, the place she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year While using the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived that has a worthwhile 8-year, $23.six million agreement, producing her one among the highest-compensated Women of all ages’s coaches ever. Recognized for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her extended-time period affect and enhancement of prime-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer consists of bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the highest-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire record and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining 4 appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer has not been just one 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 Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the increasing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of progress—it’s a recognition in the hard work, Management, and success these coaches convey for their applications and also the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches now direct the way in which when it comes to earnings, quite a few Many others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of such coaches has M88 designed important strides with their respective plans and will split into the top rated five in the approaching many years as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to grow.
Closing Thoughts
The times of underfunded women’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 of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to increase in recognition and guidance, we are able to be expecting these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Gals’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.