5 Greatest-Paid Girls's College Basketball Coaches
5 Greatest-Paid Girls's College Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Along with the increased reputation and industrial accomplishment with the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities continue to speculate of their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with building powerhouse courses.
Below’s a consider the five best-compensated Girls’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $3.1 million
Dawn Staley continues being the gold normal in Ladies’s college or university basketball coaching. A former 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 multiple 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, creating her the very best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of this checklist.
two. 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 This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—men's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable efficiency have ensured valuable contract renewals. His present agreement includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. When UConn has confronted current troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his benefit higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball world by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year While using the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a M88 different stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived which has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, producing her one among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. 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 – College of Maryland
Estimated Annual Wage: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a product of regularity at Maryland given that taking over in 2002. With many convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide contention for more than two decades.
Her extensive-phrase impact and progress of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer consists of bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and pupil progress.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply one of the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse 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 spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Modifying Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The expanding salaries of those coaches are reflective of the escalating reputation and monetary viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Courses are attracting more countrywide Television set deals, ticket revenue 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 your effort, Management, and results these coaches provide to their applications and also the Activity in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches currently guide the way in which regarding earnings, numerous Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of such coaches has created substantial strides with their respective programs and will break into your prime five in the coming many years as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to grow.
Closing Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport proceeds to expand in attractiveness and assist, we can assume these salaries—and the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.