five Best-Paid Women's College Basketball Coaches
five Best-Paid Women's College Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women of all ages’s college or university basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness in the last 10 years. Using the improved acceptance and business accomplishment with the Activity, especially in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and Management these top-tier coaches bring for their groups and universities. As universities go on to speculate of their Gals’s athletics departments, a handful of standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with creating powerhouse applications.
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 and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Believed Yearly Salary: $three.1 million
Dawn Staley proceeds for being the gold regular in Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has created South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to many NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, earning her the very best-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball record. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with overall performance incentives, positioning her firmly at the very best of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Salary: $2.9 million
A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to the jaw-dropping 11 national titles. His tenure at UConn, which started 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 consistent efficiency have ensured worthwhile deal renewals. His present-day deal includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Match runs. Although UConn has faced modern troubles with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his benefit superior.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, in which she gained three national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 national championship, bringing a brand new level of pleasure and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her substantial-profile arrival came having a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, building her considered one of the very best-paid Women of all ages’s coaches ever. Known for her passionate coaching design and style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Females's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly built a product of consistency at Maryland since taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in national competition for over 20 years.
Her long-expression effect and development of prime-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal involves bonuses for academic functionality, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and college student enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Believed Annual Wage: $one.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only one among the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA women's basketball historical past. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain record and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Final Four appearances.
Even though VanDerveer hasn't been 1 to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and determination to excellence have solidified her place among the all-time greats in coaching historical past.
A Transforming Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective from the developing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Programs are attracting much more national TV offers, ticket revenue are growing, and corporate sponsors are becoming more invested in women's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and accomplishment M88 these coaches carry to their applications and the Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
Whilst 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)
Every single of these coaches has built major strides with their respective plans and could break in the best 5 in the coming years as Gals's basketball carries on to mature.
Ultimate Thoughts
The days of underfunded women’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not just command superior salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the tradition in their universities, and elevate women’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport carries on to mature in reputation and aid, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to carry on growing.
Women of all ages’s university basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for competitive sports activities.