Ladies’s university basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Together with the greater attractiveness and professional success of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the value and leadership these top-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities proceed to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that include setting up powerhouse systems.

Listed here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their remarkable salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.

1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold conventional in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Closing Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic seven-calendar year, $22.4 million deal, creating her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and prolonged with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the very best of the record.

two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $two.nine million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult men's or women’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and steady functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His present-day contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced modern troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his price significant.

three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.7 million

Right after An effective two-decade operate at Baylor, where she received a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a brand new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her higher-profile arrival arrived which has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Annual Wage: $1.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking up in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in nationwide competition for over twenty years.

Her extended-time period affect and improvement of top rated-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer contains bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student advancement.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Wage: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not merely considered one of the very best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Final Four appearances.

Though VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, growth of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her put Amongst the all-time greats in coaching background.

A Altering Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective in the growing popularity and fiscal viability of women’s higher education basketball. Courses are attracting much more nationwide Tv set bargains, ticket gross sales are raising, and corporate sponsors have gotten extra invested in women's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not only a sign of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and achievements these coaches provide for their plans as well as the sport in general.

Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide the best way with regards to earnings, a number of Other folks are increasing:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each individual of those coaches has created substantial strides with their respective courses and will crack in the leading 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to improve.

Last Views
The days of underfunded M88 Women of all ages’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, condition the lifestyle of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in recognition and assist, we can assume these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.

Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the way forward for competitive athletics.