5 Best-Paid Women's School Basketball Coaches

Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has found exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. Together with the amplified recognition and industrial accomplishment of your Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and Management these major-tier coaches convey for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position within their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that come with building powerhouse courses.

In this article’s a think about the five highest-compensated Gals’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Income: $3.one million

Dawn Staley carries on to get the gold regular in women’s college or university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking up the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million deal, producing her the highest-compensated Black head coach in Females's school basketball heritage. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with overall performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the top of this listing.

two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Annual Wage: $two.nine million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and regular performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His present-day contract includes a base salary, media obligations, attire discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Though UConn has confronted current issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management maintain his price superior.

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

Soon after An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, the place 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 a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her higher-profile arrival came with a lucrative eight-12 months, $23.6 million contract, making her one of the best-paid out Females’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $1.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of consistency at Maryland since taking on in 2002. With a number of convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide competition for over 20 years.

Her lengthy-time period impression and growth of leading-tier talent have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s M88 athletic Office. Her recent deal incorporates bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student growth.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $1.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not simply one of the very best-paid out coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last 4 appearances.

Though VanDerveer hasn't been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, improvement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her position among the all-time greats in coaching background.

A Shifting Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the rising popularity and monetary viability of ladies’s higher education basketball. Courses are attracting more national TV deals, ticket revenue are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming much more invested in Ladies's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and accomplishment these coaches convey for their packages plus the Activity as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in which when it comes to earnings, a number of others are rising:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Just about every of those coaches has produced significant strides with their respective programs and will break into your prime five in the approaching a long time as Ladies's basketball proceeds to increase.

Final Feelings
The days of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to improve in reputation and support, we could expect these salaries—plus the profiles of these leaders—to continue soaring.

Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for competitive sports activities.