5 Best-Compensated Women's University Basketball Coaches

Women of all ages’s university basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last decade. While using the elevated acceptance and business achievements of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.

Here’s a think about the five highest-compensated Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their remarkable salaries but 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 school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over 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 seven-calendar year, $22.4 million deal, creating her the very best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's university 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
Estimated Annual Wage: $two.nine million

A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a 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 performance have ensured worthwhile agreement renewals. His present-day deal features a base income, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Even though UConn has confronted new challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his value higher.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Income: $two.7 million

Soon after An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, exactly where she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second season with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her high-profile arrival arrived that has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, producing her certainly one of the best-paid out Females’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Annual Wage: $1.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly created a model 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 very long-term effects and growth of leading-tier expertise have produced 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 student growth.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Remaining Four appearances.

Although VanDerveer has not been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her put among the all-time greats in coaching background.

A Shifting Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective from the increasing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Applications are attracting a lot more nationwide Television M88 bargains, ticket income are rising, and corporate sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and success these coaches bring for their systems plus the sport as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at the moment direct the way in terms of 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 major strides with their respective packages and could split in to the major five in the approaching several years as Females's basketball proceeds to increase.

Last Views
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command significant salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the culture of their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the Activity continues to mature in reputation and support, we could expect these salaries—plus the profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.

Ladies’s faculty basketball isn’t just maintaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of aggressive sporting activities.