five Optimum-Paid out Women of all ages's University Basketball Coaches
five Optimum-Paid out Women of all ages's University Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Ladies’s university basketball has viewed exponential advancement in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. With all the greater attractiveness and professional achievements of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the value and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economical rewards that come with setting up powerhouse courses.
Below’s a consider the 5 optimum-paid women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their remarkable 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 to get the gold regular in Women of all ages’s higher education basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Closing Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million deal, producing her the best-paid Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball record. That deal has considering that been restructured and prolonged with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of the list.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Salary: $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 commenced in 1985, has reworked the program into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Gentlemen's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady effectiveness have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced latest troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his price substantial.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Salary: $two.seven million
Just after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second time While M88 using the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival came using a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.6 million contract, earning her considered one of the highest-paid Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Annual Wage: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland since taking on in 2002. With several meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.
Her very long-term impression and advancement of top-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal incorporates bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and pupil enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely one of the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been a single 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 location Among the many all-time greats in coaching heritage.
A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising popularity and monetary viability of women’s university basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Television bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in women's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your exertions, leadership, and achievements these coaches deliver to their applications and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Although these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in which in terms of earnings, quite a few Many others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of such coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective programs and will break into the leading five in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball proceeds to develop.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command superior salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture in their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to grow in level of popularity and help, we can easily count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Ladies’s faculty basketball isn’t just maintaining pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for competitive sports activities.