5 Highest-Compensated Ladies's Faculty Basketball Coaches
5 Highest-Compensated Ladies's Faculty Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women’s higher education basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Along with the increased recognition and commercial achievement from the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these leading-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position in their Ladies’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with setting up powerhouse packages.
Below’s a consider the five best-paid Ladies’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to generally be the gold typical in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Ultimate Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million contract, generating her the highest-compensated Black head coach in Females's college basketball heritage. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into one of the most dominant dynasties in school basketball heritage—Adult males's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. When UConn has confronted new worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his benefit superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $2.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-ten years run at Baylor, the place she gained three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd season Using the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival came having a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, generating her one among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With many conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in national rivalry for over twenty years.
Her lengthy-time period effect and development of prime-tier M88 expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her recent offer contains bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and college student enhancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Yearly Income: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely amongst the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her put among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Modifying Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your escalating recognition and monetary viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more national TV deals, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the effort, Management, and good results these coaches carry to their courses as well as sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches presently guide how with regards to earnings, a number of others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective programs and will crack to the leading 5 in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball proceeds to develop.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. As the sport proceeds to grow in level of popularity and support, we will expect these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to carry on increasing.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive sports activities.