Dawn Staley and South Carolina have agreed to a contract extension through the 2029-30 season that will make her the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball. The deal starts with an annual salary of $4 million, includes a $500,00 signing bonus and has an annual $250,000 escalator, bringing the total value to approximately $25.25 million.
“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. “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.”
Since taking over the program in 2008, Staley has won three national championships.
Staley was making $3.2 million this season before the extension went into effect. UConn’s Geno Auriemma, who has won 11 NCAA titles with the Huskies, is making $3.34 million this season. LSU’s Kim Mulkey, who won three NCAA titles at Baylor and then led LSU to its first in 2023, is making $3.25 million this season.
