five Best-Compensated Women's Higher education Basketball Coaches
five Best-Compensated Women's Higher education Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has noticed exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the elevated recognition and industrial good results in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position within their Ladies’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that come with developing powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a consider the five best-paid out Females’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold common in Ladies’s college or university basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Final 4 appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she manufactured headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.four million contract, generating her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Girls's school basketball heritage. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in college basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured profitable agreement renewals. His latest deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. Whilst UConn has faced latest troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his benefit high.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, where by she won three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second season with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived which has a beneficial 8-yr, $23.six million agreement, generating her among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland given that taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in national rivalry for over twenty years.
Her extended-expression impact and progress of prime-tier expertise have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal incorporates bonuses for academic performance, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Yearly Income: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply certainly one of the very best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been one particular 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 background.
A Shifting Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective from the increasing attractiveness and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Tv set specials, ticket profits are expanding, and company sponsors are getting to be extra invested in Ladies's sports.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of development—it’s a recognition in the labor, M88 leadership, and achievement these coaches bring for their systems as well as the sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at this time direct the way when it comes to earnings, a number of others 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 systems and could crack in the best 5 in the coming years as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to grow.
Closing Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity continues to improve in level of popularity and help, we are able to hope these salaries—along with the profiles of such leaders—to continue mounting.
Ladies’s faculty basketball isn’t just maintaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive sports.