Gals’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past ten years. Together with the greater attractiveness and professional achievements of your Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I packages, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the value and Management these major-tier coaches convey for their teams and universities. As universities carry on to invest of their Gals’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the fiscal rewards that include making powerhouse packages.

Right here’s a look at the 5 greatest-compensated Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not merely their extraordinary salaries but also the achievements that justify their elite payment.

one. Dawn Staley – University of South Carolina
Estimated Yearly Salary: $3.one million

Dawn Staley carries on to be the gold typical in Females’s college basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Since taking on This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Last Four appearances and two countrywide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.four million contract, building her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Ladies's college or university basketball background. That offer has since been restructured and extended with performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.

2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Once-a-year Income: $2.9 million

A residing legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to your jaw-dropping eleven national titles. His tenure at UConn, which began in 1985, has remodeled the program into One of the more dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult males's or women’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and steady effectiveness have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced current problems with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his worth large.

3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.7 million

After a successful two-ten years operate at Baylor, wherever she gained 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In just her second season with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a whole new degree of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her substantial-profile arrival came with a lucrative eight-yr, $23.six million agreement, producing her certainly one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching fashion, flamboyant manner, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls'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 many conference championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has retained the Terrapins in national competition for more than 20 years.

Her extensive-phrase impact and progress of leading-tier expertise have made her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her current deal incorporates bonuses for academic effectiveness, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her dual determination to athletics and pupil progress.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Yearly Income: $one.three million

Tara VanDerveer is not just considered one of the best-paid coaches but in addition the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball background. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire report and it has led Stanford to 3 national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate Four appearances.

When VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, advancement of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.

A Changing Landscape in Ladies's Basketball
The escalating salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Programs are attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket gross sales are expanding, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's sports activities.

The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition of the effort, Management, and good results these coaches carry to their courses plus the sport as a whole.

Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches presently guide the best way with regards to earnings, a number of others are going up:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz M88 (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every single of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective applications and will break in the leading 5 in the coming yrs as Females's basketball proceeds to expand.

Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Females’s courses and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, condition the culture of their universities, and elevate Women of all ages’s basketball to new heights. Since the Activity proceeds to expand in attractiveness and help, we can easily anticipate these salaries—as well as profiles of these leaders—to continue climbing.

Women’s university basketball isn’t just holding pace—it’s environment the speed for the way forward for aggressive sports.