Top 3 best women's college basketball coaches heading into the 2024-25 season ft. Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley (left); Geno Auriemma (right)
Dawn Staley (left); Geno Auriemma (right)

The 2024-25 women's college basketball season is not set to begin for more than four months as tip-off week is expected to take place in early November. The 2023-24 season marked the end of the coaching career for several legendary coaches, including Tara VanDerveer, the all-time women's college basketball wins leader, and Lisa Bluder, who ranks 11th on that list.

While there are many great coaches in women's college basketball, three stand above the rest. Here's a look at the top three women's basketball coaches.


Top 3 best women's college basketball coaches heading into the 2024-25 season

#1: Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley has established herself as one of the greatest women's college basketball coaches of all time. In eight seasons leading the Temple Owls and 16 seasons leading the South Carolina Gamecocks, she has a 612-186 record. She has won three national titles since 2017 and two in the past three seasons.

While she has sent plenty of talent to the WNBA, Staley's program has continued to play at an elite level. Although Staley is not the most accomplished coach on the list, she currently sits atop the list as the Gamecocks are an incredible 74-1 over the past two seasons.

#2: Geno Auriemma

Geno Auriemma is likely the greatest women's college basketball coach of all time. In 39 seasons leading the UConn Huskies, he has compiled a 1,213-162 record. His .882 win percentage is the best in women's college basketball history, while his 1,213 are just three behind all-time leader Tara VanDerveer. His 11 titles are also the most in the history of the sport.

While the Huskies have continued to play at a very high level, their last national title came in 2015-16. Despite this, Auriemma remains near the top of this list as UConn has consisently reached the Final Four.

#3: Kim Mulkey

Kim Mulkey has been leading the LSU Tigers for the past three seasons after spending the previous 21 seasons in the same role with the Baylor Bears.

Mulkey has a 723-118 record, winning four national titles along the way. She has thrived at both stops, winning championships at each.

Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here

Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh
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