South Carolina’s Dawn Staley is now the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball. The legendary coach earned the distinction on Friday when she signed a $25.25 million contract extension through the 2029-30 season. According to ESPN, the deal includes an annual salary of $4 million with a $500,00 signing bonus. Staley also gets an annual $250,000 escalator.
“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” athletic director Jeremiah Donati said, per ESPN. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus, and I am excited that she will be representing our University for many years to come.”
Staley has earned three national championships since taking over as head coach of the Gamecocks in 2008. She had another historic season in 2024 when she led her team to a 38-0 record. The team has won eight SEC tournament titles under Staley while posting a record of 165-15 in the conference since the 2013-14 season.
Before signing her extension, Staley was earning $3.2 million this season, which was on par with some of the other top coaches in women’s basketball. UConn’s Geno Auriemma is making $3.34 million this season while Louisiana State University’s Kim Mulkey is earning $3.25 million.
Staley is once again in the midst of an unforgettable season as the Gamecocks stand at 17-1 overall, losing only to UCLA in November. The teams also stands at 5-0 in conference play.
“I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and of its investment in women’s basketball,” Staley said, per ESPN. “What we’ve been able to accomplish on the court is a testament to what can happen when you bring together the right people from a team perspective but also have the right commitment from the university, the athletics department and the community to providing that team with everything it needs to be successful.”
