five Highest-Compensated Women's School Basketball Coaches
five Highest-Compensated Women's School Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Women’s faculty basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. While using the elevated reputation and industrial achievement in the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the worth and Management these prime-tier coaches provide for their groups and universities. As universities continue to speculate inside their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that include making powerhouse packages.
In this article’s a consider the five highest-paid out Gals’s university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their impressive salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.one million
Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold conventional in Gals’s university basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has built South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Ultimate 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.four million deal, producing her the best-paid Black head mentor in Women of all ages's faculty basketball background. That deal has due to the fact been restructured and extended with effectiveness incentives, placing her firmly at the very best of the record.
2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A dwelling legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping 11 nationwide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has reworked This system into Probably the most dominant dynasties in faculty basketball record—Males's or Females’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and reliable performance have ensured rewarding contract renewals. His recent deal features a foundation wage, media obligations, attire specials, and significant bonuses tied to NCAA Match operates. Even though UConn has confronted modern challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his worth significant.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.7 million
Soon after An effective two-decade run at Baylor, where she received a few nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey M88 shocked the basketball globe by joining LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Using the Tigers, she led them to some 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a completely new stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her significant-profile arrival came using a profitable eight-yr, $23.6 million deal, producing her among the highest-paid out Females’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Gals's hoops.
4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly designed a model of regularity at Maryland considering that taking over in 2002. With a number of conference championships, a nationwide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has held the Terrapins in countrywide competition for more than two decades.
Her very long-phrase effects and advancement of top-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her latest deal involves bonuses for tutorial general performance, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her dual dedication to athletics and university student improvement.
five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Annual Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just certainly one of the very best-paid out coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA Females's basketball heritage. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time gain record and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
Though VanDerveer has never been a single to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are properly compensated. Her Management, 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 those coaches are reflective with the escalating popularity and financial viability of women’s university basketball. Plans are attracting additional nationwide Television bargains, ticket product sales are escalating, and corporate sponsors are getting to be more invested in women's sports.
The increase in coaching salaries is not simply a sign of development—it’s a recognition with the exertions, leadership, and success these coaches bring for their packages as well as the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
Although these five coaches at this time direct the way in which in terms of earnings, quite a few Some others are increasing:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of such coaches has created important strides with their respective applications and will split into your prime five in the coming years as Gals's basketball proceeds to improve.
Last Views
The days of underfunded Gals’s applications and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches don't just command large salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. As being the sport continues to improve in recognition and guidance, we are able to assume these salaries—and also the profiles of those leaders—to carry on soaring.
Females’s faculty basketball isn’t just maintaining tempo—it’s placing the rate for the way forward for aggressive sports.