5 Best-Paid Ladies's University Basketball Coaches
5 Best-Paid Ladies's University Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women’s university basketball has observed exponential growth in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last ten years. Using the amplified level of popularity and industrial results of the Activity, especially in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these major-tier coaches bring to their groups and universities. As universities proceed to speculate of their women’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economic rewards that come with creating powerhouse plans.
Right here’s a consider the 5 highest-paid women’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their remarkable salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Approximated Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold conventional in Ladies’s college basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Women of all ages's university basketball history. That deal has since been restructured and prolonged with overall performance incentives, positioning her firmly at the best of the listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Annual Salary: $two.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which started in 1985, has remodeled This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in school basketball record—Adult males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and steady general performance have ensured profitable agreement renewals. His latest contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel bargains, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Although UConn has faced latest troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his value superior.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out University (LSU)
Believed Annual Wage: $two.seven million
After An effective two-10 years run at Baylor, exactly where she received 3 countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by joining LSU in 2021. In just her second time Along with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a different level of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her high-profile arrival arrived which has a beneficial eight-calendar year, $23.six million agreement, generating her amongst the best-paid out women’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Annual Income: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a model of consistency at Maryland since taking over in 2002. With many conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for more than two decades.
Her very long-term affect and enhancement of leading-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her current offer contains bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason accomplishment—illustrating her twin dedication to athletics and student advancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Yearly Income: $one.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is not just amongst the highest-paid coaches and also the winningest mentor in NCAA Ladies's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn record and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer hasn't been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, progress of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching background.
A Modifying Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your escalating recognition and economic viability of women’s college basketball. Systems are attracting a lot more countrywide TV specials, ticket product sales are raising, and company sponsors have become much more invested in Ladies's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition of the exertions, Management, and achievement these coaches convey for their plans plus the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 coaches at this time direct the way in which when it comes to earnings, several Many others are going up:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each and every of such coaches has manufactured considerable strides with their respective programs and could crack to the top 5 in the approaching several years as women's M88 basketball carries on to develop.
Closing Thoughts
The times of underfunded women’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 Gals’s basketball to new heights. Because the Activity proceeds to develop in attractiveness and assistance, we could count on these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue mounting.
Women’s higher education basketball isn’t just keeping pace—it’s environment the speed for the future of aggressive sporting activities.