Females’s university basketball has viewed exponential advancement in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Along with the increased recognition and commercial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and leadership these top-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities proceed to invest in their Females’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include making powerhouse packages.

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

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

Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold regular in Women of all ages’s university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.four million agreement, earning her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with overall performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the best of this checklist.

two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Salary: $2.nine million

A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has transformed the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—men's or Ladies’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured profitable contract renewals. His existing agreement includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced latest issues with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his worth substantial.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Estimated Once-a-year Income: $two.7 million

Right after An effective two-decade operate at Baylor, exactly where she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by joining LSU in 2021. In just her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a fresh level of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her large-profile arrival came which has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, making her one of the M88 best-paid out women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of consistency at Maryland due to the fact taking up in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.

Her lengthy-time period effect and development of prime-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer consists of bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student improvement.

5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not only 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 it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last Four appearances.

Even though VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, improvement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.

A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the increasing attractiveness and economical viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting more national Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Females's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches bring for their systems plus the sport in general.

Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches currently guide the best way with regards to earnings, several others are going up:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every single of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective applications and will break in the leading 5 in the coming yrs as Females's basketball proceeds to expand.

Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to expand in popularity and assist, we can easily count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue climbing.

Women’s university basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.