Ladies’s school basketball has witnessed exponential advancement in viewership, expertise, and competitiveness over the past 10 years. Using the greater attractiveness and professional success of the Activity, specifically in NCAA Division I courses, coaching salaries have risen to replicate the worth and leadership these leading-tier coaches deliver for their groups and universities. As universities continue on to take a position in their women’s athletics departments, a few standout coaches are reaping the economical benefits that come with building powerhouse programs.
In this article’s a think about the 5 highest-paid out Women of all ages’s school basketball coaches as of 2025, showcasing not simply their outstanding salaries and also the achievements that justify their elite compensation.
one. Dawn Staley – College of South Carolina
Estimated Once-a-year Wage: $3.one million
Dawn Staley continues to generally be the gold typical in Females’s school basketball coaching. A previous WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist, Staley has developed South Carolina right into a perennial powerhouse. Considering that taking over This system in 2008, she has led the Gamecocks to numerous NCAA Closing Four appearances and two nationwide championships (2017 and 2022).
In 2021, she made headlines by signing a historic 7-calendar year, $22.4 million agreement, making her the very best-compensated Black head coach in Gals's school basketball heritage. That offer has given that been restructured and prolonged with functionality incentives, positioning her firmly at the top of this listing.
two. Geno Auriemma – College of Connecticut
Estimated Yearly Wage: $two.nine million
A living legend, Geno Auriemma has guided the UConn Huskies to some jaw-dropping eleven countrywide titles. His tenure at UConn, which commenced in 1985, has transformed the program into The most dominant dynasties in college basketball background—Adult men's or Women of all ages’s.
Auriemma’s longevity and constant functionality have ensured valuable deal renewals. His present contract includes a base salary, media obligations, apparel offers, and hefty bonuses tied to NCAA Tournament runs. Whilst UConn has faced latest issues with accidents and roster turnover, Auriemma’s legacy and leadership hold his price substantial.
three. Kim Mulkey – Louisiana Condition University (LSU)
Estimated Annual Income: $two.seven million
Immediately after A prosperous two-10 years run at Baylor, in which she won three countrywide titles, Kim Mulkey stunned the basketball earth by becoming a member of LSU in 2021. In just her second time with the Tigers, she led them to the 2023 countrywide championship, bringing a different stage of excitement and Highlight to Baton Rouge.
Her superior-profile arrival arrived using a profitable eight-12 months, $23.6 million deal, earning her considered one of the very best-paid Women of all ages’s coaches ever. Known 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: $one.4 million
Brenda Frese has quietly crafted a design of consistency at Maryland considering the fact that taking up in 2002. With numerous meeting championships, a national title in 2006, and dozens of NCAA Event appearances, Frese has stored the Terrapins in countrywide contention for more than two decades.
Her extended-term impression and advancement of major-tier talent have built her indispensable to Maryland’s athletic Division. Her present-day deal features bonuses for academic general performance, wins, and postseason good results—illustrating her twin commitment to athletics and college student development.
5. Tara VanDerveer – Stanford College
Believed Once-a-year Salary: $1.three million
Tara VanDerveer is don't just among the best-compensated coaches but additionally the winningest coach in NCAA Gals's basketball history. 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 4 appearances.
When VanDerveer hasn't been 1 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 Shifting Landscape in Women of all ages's Basketball
The increasing salaries of these coaches are reflective from the developing acceptance and money viability of ladies’s faculty basketball. Courses are attracting much more national TV offers, ticket revenue are growing, and corporate sponsors are getting to be extra invested in Women of all ages's sporting activities.
The increase in coaching salaries is not only a sign of development—it’s a recognition of your effort, Management, and good results these coaches deliver to their courses as well as Activity as a whole.
Honorable Mentions
While these 5 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 individual of M88 those coaches has produced sizeable strides with their respective packages and could split in to the top 5 in the approaching several years as Ladies's basketball proceeds to expand.
Final Feelings
The times of underfunded Girls’s programs and underpaid coaches are steadily fading. These elite coaches not simply command higher 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 reputation and support, we will hope these salaries—as well as the profiles of such leaders—to carry on increasing.
Gals’s school basketball isn’t just trying to keep rate—it’s setting the tempo for the way forward for aggressive sporting activities.