five Maximum-Paid Women's School Basketball Coaches
five Maximum-Paid Women's School Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Females’s college or university basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. Together with the amplified recognition and industrial good results with the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches carry to their teams and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that include constructing 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 amazing salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold typical in Females’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.4 million agreement, earning her the highest-compensated Black head coach in Gals's higher education basketball record. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $2.9 million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult males's or women’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His present-day deal includes a base salary, media obligations, attire discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Though UConn has confronted the latest difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after a successful two-decade run at Baylor, the place she gained three nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball earth by joining LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Along with the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a different degree of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival came by using a lucrative eight-year, $23.six million deal, making her one among the very best-paid Girls’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a product 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 held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than 20 years.
Her long-expression effect 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 accomplishment—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and scholar improvement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win document and it M88 has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining 4 appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer has not 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 commitment to excellence have solidified her spot Amongst the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Altering Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of the expanding reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Courses are attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's athletics.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of development—it’s a recognition in the hard work, Management, and achievements these coaches carry to their plans plus the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at the moment lead just how concerning earnings, many Other folks are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of those coaches has produced significant strides with their respective systems and could crack in to the major five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to develop.
Closing Thoughts
The times of underfunded women’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the culture of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to develop in attractiveness and help, we could anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just preserving pace—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.