Gals’s faculty basketball has seen exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. While using the elevated reputation and industrial accomplishment on the sport, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the worth and Management these top rated-tier coaches bring for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest 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 Ladies’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not only their spectacular salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Annual Income: $3.1 million

Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold common in Girls’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking up the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to a number of NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million contract, building her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's faculty basketball background. That offer has since been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the best of this checklist.

two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Salary: $two.nine million

A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to a jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked This system into Just about the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball history—Guys's or Gals’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured worthwhile agreement renewals. His present-day deal features a foundation income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced latest problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth large.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Once-a-year Wage: $2.7 million

Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, where by she received a few national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd season Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new stage of excitement and spotlight to Baton Rouge.

Her superior-profile arrival arrived using a rewarding eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, building her one among the highest-compensated Girls’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant style, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in women's hoops.

four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Approximated Annual Wage: $1.four million

Brenda Frese has quietly developed a product of consistency at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.

Her prolonged-term impression M88 and advancement of major-tier talent have designed her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her latest deal involves bonuses for tutorial efficiency, wins, and postseason success—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student advancement.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Estimated Annual Wage: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not only one among the best-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA women's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain document and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining 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, enhancement of WNBA stars, and commitment to excellence have solidified her location One of the all-time greats in coaching historical past.

A Shifting Landscape in Gals's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective from the expanding reputation and fiscal viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Courses are attracting extra countrywide Tv set discounts, ticket income are rising, and corporate sponsors are becoming much more invested in Ladies's sports.

The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the effort, Management, and good results these coaches deliver for their systems as well as the sport as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
Though these five coaches currently 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)

Every of such coaches has designed substantial strides with their respective applications and could crack to the leading 5 in the approaching many years as Women of all ages's basketball carries on to expand.

Remaining Ideas
The times of underfunded Ladies’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the tradition in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity continues to expand in popularity and assist, we can easily count on these salaries—as well as profiles of those leaders—to carry on growing.

Girls’s higher education basketball isn’t just retaining rate—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.