Women’s school basketball has witnessed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Using the increased popularity and business good results from the Activity, especially in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches convey for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position of their Females’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with building powerhouse applications.
Below’s a consider the five best-paid Women of all ages’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their remarkable salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Wage: $three.one million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold standard in women’s faculty basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking on This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Last Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic 7-year, $22.4 million contract, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball record. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with functionality incentives, inserting her firmly at the highest of this listing.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Yearly Income: $2.9 million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has reworked the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in college or university basketball record—Adult men's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant overall performance have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His present-day agreement features a base income, media obligations, clothing offers, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. When UConn has faced modern worries with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth substantial.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $2.7 million
Soon after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, where she won three nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her next year While using the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival came using a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, building her considered one of the very best-paid Women of all ages’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With many meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her extended-time period effect and development of top rated-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her recent offer contains bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and pupil enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Remaining Four appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer has not been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her leadership, improvement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Transforming Landscape in Females's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective with the escalating popularity and monetary viability of women’s school basketball. Packages are attracting far more nationwide Tv set specials, ticket profits are raising, and company sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition of the hard work, Management, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their M88 courses and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at present lead just how with regard to earnings, many Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of those coaches has produced sizeable strides with their respective packages and could split into the top rated five in the approaching many years as Women of all ages's basketball proceeds to increase.
Final Ideas
The times of underfunded Girls’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport carries on to grow in level of popularity and assistance, we could anticipate these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just preserving pace—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for competitive sporting activities.