Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has observed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. With the elevated reputation and industrial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with building powerhouse courses.

Below’s a consider the 5 optimum-paid out women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.

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

Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold standard in Gals’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has built South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million agreement, earning her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's university basketball record. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of the list.

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

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

Auriemma’s longevity and reliable overall performance have ensured worthwhile agreement renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted the latest issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his benefit superior.

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

Just after A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a whole new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her superior-profile arrival arrived by using a worthwhile 8-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her certainly one of the best-paid out Females’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of consistency at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With multiple meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for over 20 years.

Her lengthy-time period affect and improvement of major-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal features bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student advancement.

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

Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball M88 history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 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, improvement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.

A Modifying Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your expanding reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Courses are attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket sales are growing, and corporate sponsors are getting to be extra invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.

The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their programs and the Activity in general.

Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches at present lead just how concerning earnings, various Other folks are increasing:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective programs and will break into your prime five in the approaching many years as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to grow.

Closing Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport proceeds to develop in attractiveness and help, we can easily count on these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.

Girls’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports.