Girls’s college or university basketball has observed exponential expansion in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. While using the elevated recognition and commercial achievement from the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, 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 invest in their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with building powerhouse courses.

Below’s a look at the 5 optimum-paid women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.

1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold standard in Gals’s university 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 various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million contract, generating her the best-paid Black head mentor in women's higher education basketball history. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this listing.

two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Wage: $two.nine million

A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Probably the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball record—Males's or Females’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured rewarding agreement renewals. His recent agreement features a base wage, media obligations, attire discounts, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced modern issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership preserve his worth large.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.7 million

After A prosperous two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball environment by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her next period With all the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a whole new level of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her high-profile arrival arrived having a lucrative eight-year, $23.six million contract, earning her one among the highest-compensated Ladies’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in M88 Ladies's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $one.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly created a product of consistency at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With various conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide contention for over twenty years.

Her lengthy-expression impact and growth of top-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her existing offer features bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and pupil progress.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Salary: $1.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not merely one among the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last Four appearances.

Even though VanDerveer has not been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.

A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the increasing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten a lot more invested in Females's sports activities.

The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and good results these coaches deliver for their systems plus the 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)

Every single of these coaches has designed important strides with their respective applications and will break in the best 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to improve.

Last Views
The days of underfunded Gals’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 lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to mature in acceptance and support, we will hope these salaries—as well as 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 athletics.