five Greatest-Paid Girls's School Basketball Coaches

Women’s school basketball has observed exponential growth in viewership, talent, and competitiveness over the past decade. Using the amplified popularity and commercial accomplishment on the sport, especially in NCAA Division I applications, coaching salaries have risen to mirror the worth and leadership these best-tier coaches carry to their groups and universities. As universities continue to invest in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with building powerhouse courses.

Below’s a consider the 5 optimum-paid women’s college or university basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their remarkable salaries but additionally the achievements that justify their elite payment.

1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Salary: $three.1 million

Dawn Staley carries on to become the gold typical in Women of all ages’s faculty basketball coaching. A former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has crafted South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Considering the fact that taking up This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to several NCAA Remaining Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she produced headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-paid out Black head mentor in Females's college or university basketball background. That offer has since been restructured and extended with general performance incentives, putting her firmly at the highest of the list.

2. Geno Auriemma – University of Connecticut
Approximated Yearly Income: $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 commenced in 1985, has remodeled the program into Among the most dominant dynasties in school basketball historical past—Adult men's or women’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and steady functionality have ensured lucrative contract renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Even though UConn has faced new worries with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management retain his price significant.

three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.7 million

Right after a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, where by she received 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball environment by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only 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 valuable eight-year, $23.six million agreement, creating her one of the best-paid out Ladies’s coaches at any time. Recognized for her passionate coaching style, flamboyant vogue, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Girls's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Yearly Salary: $1.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly developed a model of regularity at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With multiple meeting championships, a countrywide title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Tournament appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than twenty years.

Her long-expression influence and enhancement of best-tier expertise have produced her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Section. Her present deal features bonuses for educational general performance, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and student growth.

five. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Estimated Yearly Income: $one.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not just one of the highest-compensated coaches but also the winningest coach in NCAA Girls's basketball record. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time get history and has led Stanford to 3 countrywide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and numerous Ultimate Four appearances.

When VanDerveer hasn't been one to chase flashy contracts, Stanford has ensured that M88 her legacy and contributions are appropriately compensated. Her leadership, growth of WNBA stars, and motivation to excellence have solidified her position Amongst the all-time greats in coaching history.

A Altering Landscape in Females's Basketball
The rising salaries of those coaches are reflective on the rising attractiveness and financial viability of girls’s college or university basketball. Programs are attracting more countrywide Television set promotions, ticket sales are raising, and company sponsors have become a lot more invested in Women of all ages's sports.

The increase in coaching salaries is not merely an indication of progress—it’s a recognition of your labor, leadership, and success these coaches bring for their packages as well as the sport in general.

Honorable Mentions
Even though these five coaches now direct the way in which when it comes to earnings, quite a few Some others are increasing:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every of such coaches has created significant strides with their respective systems and could crack in to the major five in the approaching a long time as women's basketball carries on to grow.

Closing Thoughts
The days of underfunded Women of all ages’s packages and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not only command substantial salaries—they also mentor generations of athletes, form the society of their universities, and elevate Girls’s basketball to new heights. As the sport carries on to grow in acceptance and support, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.

Girls’s college or university basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the rate for the future of competitive sports activities.