5 Greatest-Paid Girls's College Basketball Coaches
5 Greatest-Paid Girls's College Basketball Coaches
Blog Article
Gals’s higher education basketball has found exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Along with the amplified popularity and commercial achievement from the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I programs, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches deliver to their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position inside their Females’s athletics departments, some standout coaches are reaping the money rewards that come with setting up powerhouse systems.
Right here’s a look at the 5 maximum-compensated Gals’s higher education basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not just their extraordinary salaries but will also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 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 developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA Closing 4 appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she built headlines by signing a historic 7-12 months, $22.4 million agreement, earning her the highest-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball historical past. That offer has since been restructured and extended with performance incentives, inserting her firmly at the best of the checklist.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Annual 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 Just about the most dominant dynasties in college or university basketball history—Gentlemen's or Gals’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and consistent efficiency have ensured beneficial deal renewals. His current contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced modern challenges with injuries and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership maintain his value higher.
3. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana State College (LSU)
Believed Yearly Wage: $2.7 million
Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, where by she received 3 nationwide titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd period Together with the Tigers, she led them into a 2023 national championship, bringing a completely new amount of pleasure and spotlight to Baton Rouge.
Her higher-profile arrival arrived that has a beneficial 8-year, $23.six million agreement, producing her certainly one of the best-paid out 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 Income: $1.four million
Brenda Frese has quietly developed a product of consistency at Maryland since taking over in 2002. With multiple convention championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Match appearances, Frese has kept the Terrapins in nationwide rivalry for over twenty years.
Her extended-time period affect and advancement of major-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her latest deal incorporates bonuses for academic functionality, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her dual determination M88 to athletics and college student enhancement.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Annual Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is not only among the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest mentor in NCAA Women of all ages's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time acquire history and it has led Stanford to three national titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and diverse Closing 4 appearances.
While VanDerveer has never been one particular to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that her legacy and contributions are correctly compensated. Her Management, development of WNBA stars, and dedication to excellence have solidified her area Amongst the all-time greats in coaching record.
A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising popularity and monetary viability of women’s university basketball. Packages are attracting far more nationwide Tv set discounts, ticket income are raising, and corporate sponsors have become a lot more invested in Females's sports activities.
The rise in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and results these coaches convey for their packages along with the sport in general.
Honorable Mentions
When these five coaches at present lead just how with regard to earnings, many Other individuals are on the rise:
Kelly Graves (Oregon)
Vic Schaefer (Texas)
Jeff Walz (Louisville)
Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)
Each of such coaches has manufactured substantial strides with their respective courses and could break into your prime five in the coming years as Gals's basketball continues to mature.
Ultimate Thoughts
The times of underfunded women’s systems and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not merely command high salaries—Additionally they mentor generations of athletes, shape the lifestyle in their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport proceeds to develop in attractiveness and help, we can easily count on these salaries—and the profiles of these leaders—to continue soaring.
Females’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.