Women’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Together with the greater attractiveness and professional success of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and leadership these top-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest of their Women of all ages’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that include making powerhouse packages.

Listed here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their extraordinary salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly 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 built South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Final Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Girls's college basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and extended with 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 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 background—Gentlemen's or Gals’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. When UConn has confronted new troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management hold his price substantial.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.7 million

Right after An effective two-decade operate at Baylor, where by she won a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by joining LSU in 2021. In only her second time Using the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her superior-profile arrival came using a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, generating her among the highest-paid out Females’s coaches at any time. Recognized 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 built 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 saved the Terrapins in national rivalry for over 20 years.

Her long-expression impact and progress of leading-tier expertise have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present-day deal incorporates bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her dual determination to athletics and student growth.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $1.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not only considered one of the highest-paid out coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.

While VanDerveer has never 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 area Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.

A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of such coaches M88 are reflective from the developing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s university basketball. Packages are attracting more national Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are growing, and company sponsors are getting to be additional invested in Gals's athletics.

The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and accomplishment these coaches carry to their programs as well as Activity as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches presently guide how regarding earnings, a number of others are going up:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every single of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective programs and will crack to the leading 5 in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball carries on to develop.

Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command significant salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport carries on to grow in acceptance and support, we will count on these salaries—plus the profiles of such leaders—to continue growing.

Gals’s school basketball isn’t just preserving rate—it’s setting the rate for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.