5 Best-Compensated Women of all ages's University Basketball Coaches
5 Best-Compensated Women of all ages's University Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. Using the greater popularity and commercial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Girls’s athletics departments, a number of standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that come with building powerhouse courses.
Below’s a consider the five best-compensated Females’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
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley continues being the gold common in Females’s college basketball coaching. A previous 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 4 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-compensated Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Wage: $two.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has reworked This system into Probably the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Guys's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured valuable deal renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, attire discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. When UConn has confronted the latest difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value large.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Estimated Once-a-year Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a brand new level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came having a lucrative eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, earning her considered one of the very best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking up in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than two decades.
Her long-expression effect and development of top rated-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal features bonuses for academic functionality, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and college student enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only one among the best-paid coaches and also M88 the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford to a few countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Last Four appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, improvement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of the expanding reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s college or university basketball. Courses are attracting more countrywide Television set deals, ticket revenue are growing, and corporate sponsors are getting to be more invested in women's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and results these coaches convey for their plans as well as the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches currently guide how regarding earnings, numerous Other people are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of such coaches has designed important strides with their respective plans and will split in to the major five in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball proceeds to increase.
Final Feelings
The days of underfunded Gals’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to improve in reputation and aid, we will hope these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive athletics.