Females’s college basketball has noticed exponential progress in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. With the amplified attractiveness and commercial accomplishment with the Activity, particularly in NCAA Division I plans, coaching salaries have risen to reflect the value and leadership these major-tier coaches provide to their groups and universities. As universities go on to speculate inside their Girls’s athletics departments, several standout coaches are reaping the economic benefits that include constructing powerhouse plans.

Here’s a think about the 5 greatest-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 payment.

1. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Yearly Salary: $three.one million

Dawn Staley carries on being the gold typical in Females’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has constructed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Given that taking on the program in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to various NCAA Last 4 appearances and two national championships (2017 and 2022).

In 2021, she designed headlines by signing a historic 7-yr, $22.4 million deal, earning her the highest-paid Black head coach in women's higher education basketball history. That deal has considering the fact that been restructured and extended with general 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 living 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 men's or women’s.

Auriemma’s longevity and steady functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His current contract includes a base income, media obligations, clothing deals, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Event operates. Though UConn has confronted the latest challenges with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and Management continue to keep his benefit superior.

three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Point out College (LSU)
Approximated Annual Salary: $2.7 million

Following a successful two-decade operate at Baylor, wherever she received 3 national titles, Kim Mulkey shocked the basketball world by signing up for LSU in 2021. In only her 2nd season Using the Tigers, she led them to a 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.

Her significant-profile arrival came having a lucrative eight-yr, $23.6 million agreement, producing her among the highest-paid Women of all ages’s coaches ever. Recognized for her passionate coaching design, flamboyant fashion, and championship pedigree, Mulkey is central to LSU’s resurgence in Women of all ages's hoops.

4. Brenda Frese – College of Maryland
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $one.4 million

Brenda Frese has quietly constructed a product of consistency at Maryland due to the fact taking over in 2002. With many convention championships, a countrywide 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 improvement of top rated-tier talent have manufactured her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic department. Her latest deal includes bonuses for educational functionality, wins, and postseason achievement—illustrating her twin determination to athletics and college student enhancement.

5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford University
Approximated Yearly Salary: $one.3 million

Tara VanDerveer is not only considered one of the best-paid coaches but will also the winningest coach in NCAA women's basketball history. She surpassed Pat Summitt’s all-time win history and has led Stanford to a few nationwide titles (1990, 1992, and 2021) and various Remaining 4 appearances.

Whilst VanDerveer has not been just one 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 spot Among the many all-time greats in coaching heritage.

A Switching Landscape in Women's Basketball
The growing salaries of these coaches are reflective in the increasing level of popularity and economical viability of girls’s college basketball. Programs are attracting more national Television set deals, ticket sales are increasing, and company sponsors have gotten far more invested in Girls's athletics.

The rise in coaching salaries is not just an indication of development—it’s a recognition from the hard work, Management, and results these coaches provide to their plans as well as the sport in general.

Honorable M88 Mentions
Even though these five coaches currently guide the best way with regards to earnings, a number of others are rising:

Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Vic Schaefer (Texas)

Jeff Walz (Louisville)

Courtney Banghart (North Carolina)

Every single of these coaches has designed considerable strides with their respective applications and will break in the best 5 in the coming decades as Girls's basketball continues to improve.

Last Feelings
The days of underfunded Females’s plans and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command high salaries—In addition they mentor generations of athletes, shape the tradition in their universities, and elevate Ladies’s basketball to new heights. Given that the sport carries on to mature in acceptance and aid, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of those leaders—to carry on increasing.

Girls’s college basketball isn’t just retaining speed—it’s location the pace for the future of competitive athletics.