five Optimum-Compensated Women's University Basketball Coaches
five Optimum-Compensated Women's University Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Females’s college basketball has viewed exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Along with the enhanced popularity and business achievements of your sport, especially in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the worth and leadership these prime-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position within their Females’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the money benefits that include building powerhouse applications.
Below’s a consider the 5 highest-compensated Gals’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds to get the gold normal in Ladies’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million deal, creating her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's college or university basketball history. That deal has since been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of this record.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in college or university basketball background—Guys's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured valuable deal renewals. His present contract includes a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Whilst UConn has confronted the latest problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership retain his price substantial.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out University (LSU)
Believed Yearly Salary: $2.7 million
After a successful two-10 years run at Baylor, exactly where she won a few national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball environment by joining LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 national championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and spotlight M88 to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came which has a rewarding eight-year, $23.six million deal, building her considered one of the very best-paid women’s coaches at any time. Known for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Annual Salary: $one.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over 20 years.
Her lengthy-time period effect and development of prime-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her existing deal consists of bonuses for academic overall performance, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and college student development.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the very best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining 4 appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer has not been just one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of such coaches are reflective with the escalating recognition and monetary viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting more nationwide Tv set specials, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and results these coaches provide to their applications and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches now lead just how concerning earnings, many Many others are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of those coaches has produced sizeable strides with their respective systems and could crack in to the major five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to develop.
Closing Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity carries on to expand in level of popularity and support, we will assume these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on rising.
Girls’s college basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.