five Highest-Paid Women's School Basketball Coaches
five Highest-Paid Women's School Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s faculty basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the increased recognition and commercial achievement from the sport, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver 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 setting up powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a think about the five highest-compensated Girls’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their extraordinary salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold common in Females’s college basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has built South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, creating her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's university basketball record. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the checklist.
2. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Believed Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult males's or Ladies’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and regular general performance have ensured profitable agreement renewals. His recent deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth substantial.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Salary: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-decade run at Baylor, where she received a few countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball entire world by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In M88 just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived by using a rewarding 8-calendar year, $23.six million contract, creating her one of the best-paid out Females’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Believed Yearly Income: $1.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a design of regularity at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than two decades.
Her extensive-phrase impact and progress of leading-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Office. Her existing offer consists of bonuses for tutorial overall performance, wins, and postseason results—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student growth.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Yearly Income: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not simply one of the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Ladies's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Although VanDerveer has not been just one 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 area Among the many all-time greats in coaching record.
A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and financial viability of women’s school basketball. Plans are attracting far more nationwide Television bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors have become much more invested in Ladies's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and accomplishment these coaches deliver to their courses as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in terms of earnings, quite a few Many others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of these coaches has built important strides with their respective applications and will split into the top rated five in the approaching a long time 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 high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate Females’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to mature in acceptance and support, we could expect these salaries—plus the profiles of such leaders—to continue growing.
Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.