Women’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. With the elevated reputation and industrial achievement in the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and Management these major-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities carry on to speculate of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with making 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 – University of South Carolina
Estimated Yearly Income: $3.one million

Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold typical in Females’s college or university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has built South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Closing Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball background. That offer has since been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the listing.

two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Income: $2.9 million

A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into One of the more dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and steady effectiveness have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. Whilst UConn has faced current difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.seven million

Just after A prosperous two-ten years run at Baylor, in which she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In M88 just her second season With all the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her superior-profile arrival arrived using a rewarding eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, building her one among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $one.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly developed a model of consistency at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With several meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.

Her prolonged-term affect and improvement of top rated-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer contains bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and university student advancement.

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

Tara VanDerveer is don't just one among the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report 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 Management, development of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her spot among the all-time greats in coaching historical past.

A Shifting Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of the growing reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s higher education basketball. Systems are attracting additional nationwide Television bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.

The increase in coaching salaries is not only a sign of development—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and success these coaches convey for their plans and also the Activity in general.

Honorable Mentions
Although these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in which with regard to earnings, numerous Other individuals are on the rise:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each of such coaches has created significant strides with their respective courses and could crack to the top 5 in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball proceeds to develop.

Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in popularity and support, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.

Girls’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive sports activities.