five Best-Compensated Women's Higher education Basketball Coaches
five Best-Compensated Women's Higher education Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. With all the enhanced attractiveness and commercial achievement on the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with building powerhouse courses.
In this article’s a look at the five greatest-paid women’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold conventional in Gals’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created 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 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Girls's college basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with overall performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the top of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Income: $2.9 million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Adult men's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His latest deal includes a base salary, media obligations, clothing promotions, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Event runs. While UConn has faced the latest troubles with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his benefit high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $two.seven million
Soon after An effective two-10 years operate at Baylor, the place she received a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second season Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a brand new level of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival arrived which has a valuable eight-yr, $23.six million deal, generating her one among the very best-paid Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Income: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of consistency at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.
Her long-expression influence and development of top rated-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal incorporates bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and scholar improvement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely amongst the highest-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball record. She surpassed Pat M88 Summitt’s all-time get file and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, development 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 rising salaries of those coaches are reflective of your growing recognition and economic viability of ladies’s university basketball. Packages are attracting additional countrywide Tv set specials, ticket profits are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's athletics.
The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition on the exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver to their courses as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in which when it comes to earnings, several Many others are going up:
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 plans and will split into the top rated five in the approaching a long time as Ladies's basketball proceeds to expand.
Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’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 society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in popularity and assist, we can assume 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 tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports.