Women’s faculty basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Along with the amplified popularity and professional success of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these major-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities carry on to invest of their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include constructing powerhouse plans.

Right here’s a think about the five highest-compensated Girls’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

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

Dawn Staley continues being the gold normal in women’s faculty 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 a number of NCAA Remaining 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the highest-compensated Black head coach in Women of all ages's higher education basketball record. That offer has due to the fact been restructured and prolonged with general performance incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of the record.

two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in higher education basketball record—Males's or Females’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His current contract includes a base income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. While UConn has confronted recent difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership keep his price large.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Salary: $two.seven million

Soon after a successful two-10 years operate at Baylor, the place she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a whole new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her substantial-profile arrival came with a lucrative eight-yr, $23.six million agreement, producing her certainly one of the highest-paid women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.

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

Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a design of regularity at Maryland considering that taking on in 2002. With a number of meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.

Her extensive-expression affect and enhancement of major-tier talent have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her current deal features bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student advancement.

5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is don't just considered one of the highest-compensated coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Girls's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win file and it has led Stanford to three countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.

Although VanDerveer has not been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her leadership, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her area One of the all-time greats in coaching history.

A Altering Landscape in Women's Basketball
The increasing salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and financial viability of women’s college basketball. Courses are attracting far more nationwide Tv set discounts, ticket product sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of M88 development—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and achievement these coaches bring for their systems plus the sport in general.

Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches presently guide how regarding earnings, numerous others are rising:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every single of these coaches has built important strides with their respective applications and will break into your best 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to improve.

Last Feelings
The days of underfunded Gals’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport carries on to mature in reputation and aid, we will hope these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.

Girls’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the pace for the future of competitive athletics.