5 Highest-Paid out Women's Higher education Basketball Coaches
5 Highest-Paid out Women's Higher education Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the increased popularity and commercial success of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these top-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities continue on to speculate of their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that include making powerhouse packages.
Right here’s a look at the 5 greatest-compensated Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Annual Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues being the gold normal in women’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has designed South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Closing Four appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million contract, generating 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 efficiency incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Salary: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Gentlemen's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent overall performance have ensured worthwhile agreement renewals. His latest deal features a foundation wage, media obligations, attire discounts, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced latest problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $two.7 million
Right after A prosperous two-ten 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 next year Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a brand new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived by using a rewarding 8-12 months, $23.6 million deal, generating her one among the highest-compensated Females’s coaches ever. Recognized M88 for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With various convention championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for over 20 years.
Her extensive-phrase impact and growth of top-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal involves bonuses for tutorial functionality, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Wage: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not merely amongst the highest-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer has not been a person to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The increasing salaries of such coaches are reflective of the growing recognition and economic viability of women’s university basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more national TV deals, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver for their systems along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches at this time direct the way in terms of earnings, various Other folks 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 packages and will split into your prime 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to increase.
Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to develop in level of popularity and assistance, we could expect these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to carry on growing.
Women’s university basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.