Females’s university basketball has viewed exponential advancement in viewership, expertise, 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 leading-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities keep on to take a position in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with building powerhouse courses.

Below’s a consider the five optimum-paid out Gals’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Approximated Once-a-year Wage: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley proceeds being the gold normal in women’s college or university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Due to the fact taking up the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Ultimate Four appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic 7-year, $22.four million contract, generating her the best-paid Black head mentor in women's faculty basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, placing her firmly at the highest of the record.

2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $two.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 The most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Gentlemen's or Women of all ages’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His existing deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament operates. While UConn has confronted recent difficulties with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.seven million

After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her second season with the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different 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 one among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. Recognized for her passionate coaching model, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Ladies's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Income: $1.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly created a model of regularity at Maryland given that taking on in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in national competition for more than two decades.

Her extensive-phrase effects and growth of top-tier talent have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present-day deal features bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and college student enhancement.

5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not simply 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 gain record and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 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, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching background.

A Shifting Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The expanding salaries of such coaches are reflective of your growing recognition and economic viability of women’s university basketball. Plans are attracting a lot more nationwide Television offers, ticket revenue are growing, and corporate sponsors are getting to be extra invested in Women of all ages's athletics.

The rise in coaching salaries is not only an indication of development—it’s a recognition on the labor, leadership, and achievements these coaches convey to their plans and also the Activity in general.

Honorable Mentions
Although these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in M88 terms of earnings, quite a few Other folks are increasing:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Each of these coaches has produced significant strides with their respective systems and could crack in to the top five in the approaching several years as women's basketball proceeds to develop.

Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to expand in attractiveness and help, we can easily count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue climbing.

Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.