five Highest-Compensated Females's Higher education Basketball Coaches
five Highest-Compensated Females's Higher education Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Along with the increased popularity and commercial success from the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position in their women’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economical rewards that come with setting up powerhouse systems.
Below’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their amazing salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold common in Girls’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, building her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's faculty basketball background. That deal has since been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $2.9 million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has remodeled This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in university basketball heritage—men's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured profitable contract renewals. His recent agreement features a foundation wage, media obligations, attire specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Whilst UConn has faced latest issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his price significant.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Salary: $2.7 million
Soon after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, the place she gained 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her next year Along with the Tigers, she led them to your 2023 nationwide championship, bringing a whole new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her large-profile arrival arrived which has a lucrative eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, building her one among the highest-compensated Gals’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed 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 Match appearances, Frese has saved the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her lengthy-time period effect and enhancement of best-tier expertise have created her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her present offer includes bonuses for educational overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student advancement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get report and it has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Last Four appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective with the escalating popularity and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more national TV offers, ticket revenue are growing, and company sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's M88 sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and success these coaches convey for their plans and also the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst these 5 coaches at the moment lead the way concerning earnings, many Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Every of such coaches has designed important strides with their respective systems and could break in the leading five in the coming many years as women's basketball carries on to develop.
Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Females’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command higher salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to grow in level of popularity and assistance, we could anticipate these salaries—plus the profiles of such leaders—to continue climbing.
Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping tempo—it’s placing the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.