five Optimum-Paid out Girls's College Basketball Coaches
five Optimum-Paid out Girls's College Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women’s faculty basketball has viewed exponential growth in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. With all the amplified recognition and professional success in the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these prime-tier coaches convey to their groups and universities. As universities carry on to invest within their Females’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the economic benefits that come with building powerhouse systems.
Below’s a look at the five best-paid Females’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their impressive salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite payment.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Believed Annual Wage: $3.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to become the gold common in Ladies’s faculty basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Final 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.four million deal, earning her the highest-compensated Black head mentor in Ladies's higher education basketball historical past. That offer has due to the fact been restructured and extended with overall performance incentives, placing her firmly at the best of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual Wage: $2.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball heritage—Gentlemen's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady overall performance have ensured lucrative deal renewals. His existing deal includes a base wage, media obligations, attire bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. Even though UConn has faced the latest problems with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his worth superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out University (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Just after A prosperous two-decade run at Baylor, the place she gained 3 countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball entire world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her next year Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 national championship, bringing a brand new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival arrived that has a beneficial 8-yr, $23.6 million deal, earning her amongst the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Yearly Salary: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of regularity at Maryland because taking on in 2002. With a number of meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in national contention for more than two decades.
Her very long-term effects and development of prime-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing deal features bonuses for academic performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and pupil progress.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Yearly Wage: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely amongst the very best-paid out coaches but in addition the winningest coach in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Ultimate 4 appearances.
Even though VanDerveer has not been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her area Amongst the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in M88 Ladies's Basketball
The expanding salaries of these coaches are reflective with the expanding level of popularity and financial viability of ladies’s college or university basketball. Plans are attracting additional countrywide TV deals, ticket product sales are raising, and company sponsors have gotten extra invested in Women of all ages's sports.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely a sign of development—it’s a recognition from the hard work, leadership, and accomplishment these coaches convey for their programs as well as the sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches presently lead the way when it comes to earnings, numerous Other folks are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every single of those coaches has produced considerable strides with their respective applications and will split to the prime 5 in the approaching a long time as Females's basketball proceeds to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded women’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the society in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to increase in reputation and guidance, we can be expecting these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to carry on growing.
Ladies’s college basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of aggressive sports.