five Best-Compensated Women's University Basketball Coaches
five Best-Compensated Women's University Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s university basketball has found exponential development in viewership, talent, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. With all the greater popularity and industrial accomplishment on the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I systems, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches provide for their teams and universities. As universities proceed to invest in their Ladies’s athletics departments, a couple of standout coaches are reaping the financial benefits that include creating powerhouse plans.
Right here’s a look at the 5 maximum-paid women’s college basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing don't just their outstanding salaries but in addition the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Annual Income: $3.one million
Dawn Staley proceeds being the gold common in Females’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she created headlines by signing a historic seven-yr, $22.four million contract, generating her the best-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's college or university basketball historical past. That offer has because been restructured and prolonged with efficiency incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this list.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Approximated Annual Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies into a jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled This system into one of the most dominant dynasties in university basketball record—Males's or Girls’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and dependable overall performance have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His existing agreement features a foundation wage, media obligations, clothing promotions, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Event runs. Whilst UConn has faced latest issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his price significant.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, where she received a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball planet by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In 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 high-profile arrival arrived by using a worthwhile 8-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her certainly one of the best-paid out Females’s coaches ever. Noted for her passionate coaching type, flamboyant trend, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
four. Brenda Frese – University of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a product of consistency at Maryland since taking on in 2002. With several meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national rivalry for over 20 years.
Her extended-time period affect and improvement of major-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her current deal features bonuses for educational performance, wins, and postseason achievements—illustrating her dual motivation to athletics and student progress.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $1.3 million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the very best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time earn history and has led Stanford to three nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Remaining 4 appearances.
Whilst VanDerveer has never 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 position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.
A Altering Landscape in Girls's Basketball
The raising salaries of such coaches are reflective of your growing recognition and economic viability of ladies’s higher education basketball. Systems are attracting additional countrywide Tv set specials, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten additional invested in Gals's athletics.
The rise M88 in coaching salaries is not just a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and achievement these coaches deliver for their systems plus the sport as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Though these 5 coaches at the moment direct the way in terms of earnings, several Other individuals are rising:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each individual of those coaches has produced significant strides with their respective courses and could break into the best five in the approaching decades as Ladies's basketball proceeds to grow.
Last Thoughts
The days of underfunded Females’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle of their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport carries on to grow in level of popularity and assistance, we can easily anticipate these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to carry on climbing.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sports.