5 Best-Compensated Women's Higher education Basketball Coaches
5 Best-Compensated Women's Higher education Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Gals’s university basketball has seen exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Together with the amplified attractiveness and professional success of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the value and leadership these top-tier coaches bring for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest of their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with building powerhouse packages.
Here’s a consider the five optimum-compensated Females’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their outstanding salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $3.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on for being the gold conventional in Gals’s college basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Closing 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic seven-12 months, $22.4 million contract, producing her the very best-compensated Black head mentor in Women of all ages's university basketball historical past. That deal has since been restructured and prolonged with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of the list.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $two.9 million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball record—Adult males's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant general performance have ensured profitable agreement renewals. His latest deal features a foundation wage, media obligations, attire promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. When UConn has confronted the latest challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management keep his benefit high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.seven million
After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, the place she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to the 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 Yearly Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a model of consistency 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 countrywide competition for more than two decades.
Her very long-phrase impact and progress of best-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present offer includes bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and scholar improvement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only one among the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn file and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, enhancement of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the increasing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Programs are M88 attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in women's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches bring for their courses as well as sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Though these five coaches at present guide how regarding earnings, many Other people are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Just about every of those coaches has produced sizeable strides with their respective packages and could split into the major five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to grow.
Closing Thoughts
The times of underfunded women’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the culture of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to develop in attractiveness and help, we could anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.