5 Highest-Paid out Ladies's University Basketball Coaches
5 Highest-Paid out Ladies's University Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Females’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last decade. Along with the increased reputation and professional good results in the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these prime-tier coaches provide to their teams and universities. As universities proceed to take a position of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the financial rewards that come with building powerhouse systems.
Listed here’s a think about the five greatest-paid Girls’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their spectacular salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold common in Ladies’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 designed headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million agreement, making her the very best-paid Black head coach in Females's college basketball heritage. That offer has considering that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into The most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Gentlemen's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has faced the latest worries with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his benefit significant.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $two.seven million
Right after A prosperous two-decade run at Baylor, where by she won 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball planet by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second season M88 Using the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came by using a worthwhile 8-year, $23.six million agreement, producing her one of the very best-paid out Girls’s coaches at any time. Noted for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $one.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With several conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in national competition for more than twenty years.
Her long-phrase effects and advancement of top-tier talent have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her existing deal incorporates bonuses for educational general performance, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her dual determination to athletics and pupil growth.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Approximated Annual Income: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just amongst the best-paid out coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn file and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the increasing attractiveness and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Applications are attracting a lot more national TV offers, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in women's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of your effort, Management, and good results these coaches deliver to their courses and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these five coaches at the moment direct the way concerning earnings, several Many others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of those coaches has designed sizeable strides with their respective programs and could break in to the major 5 in the coming yrs as women's basketball proceeds to grow.
Final Thoughts
The times of underfunded Females’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command superior salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, condition the lifestyle of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to grow in recognition and assistance, we are able to anticipate these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to continue growing.
Females’s college basketball isn’t just maintaining speed—it’s placing the rate for the future of aggressive sports.