When Geno Auriemma signed his first contract at UConn in 1985, he realized that he no longer had to use a Pampers box for a cocktail table in his apartment. While it was merely a single sheet of paper, it promised him an annual salary of $30,000 for five years. And you know what- as Auriemma once shared- he thought I could do a lot of stuff, moving up there. I could do this, this, this and this, because it was a lot more than I was making at UVA.
Fast forward to today, and it has been 40 years at the University of Connecticut. The 70-year-old has built a legacy that speaks for itself. It’s easy for us to get lost in the numbers: 1,243 wins, 11 championships, 23 Final Fours, six undefeated seasons, and a record-breaking 111-game winning streak. But for a coach in a business, isn’t it also easy to get lost in numbers too? We are talking about money, yes.
Over the years, many have asked Geno whether he is going to switch teams, and many have made moves toward that, as well. But he has always had a consistent answer, and it is sure to warm a fan’s heart. “One thing that hasn’t changed is I made a commitment to this place a long time ago. People have always asked me, first it was, ‘Are you going to go coach somewhere else?’ Then it became, ‘How much longer are you going to coach?’ And there was never any discussion back and forth about anything other than, ‘I know I’m well taken care of and this is where I want to be.’ This was probably the easiest of any of my negotiations with the University of Connecticut over the last 25 years“.
Moving ahead, winning on the court isn’t the only thing Auriemma has done. Just ask the 160 Huskies who have played under him. One hundred sixty women arrived at UConn as 18-year-old kids and had their lives transformed by the legendary coach. From Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi to Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers, they’ve all been shaped by his guidance.
“There is a bond among the 160, among players of different generations, even those who have never met. Because we have the shared life experience of playing for the best coach in the history of the game. We have been yelled at. Forced to tears. We have been pushed to the limits of what we thought was possible,” says Rebecca Lobo, explaining why every player who has learned from Auriemma will always be indebted to his teachings.
The coach, as it seems, is also more inclined towards that. For him, it is the process, not the ultimate results, that matters. He wants his players to have memories they can forever keep close to their hearts. This is what urged him to say in 2022 that he couldn’t care less about winning another championship. Adding a humorous take, he further conveyed, “I already make more money than any coach in the country coaching women’s basketball, so what am I going to do, make more money?” And well, well, that is true. Let’s dive deep, shall we?
What is Geno Auriemma’s contract with the UConn Huskies? How long is the deal?
In June 2024, Geno Auriemma signed a new five-year contract extending through the 2028-29 season. According to the UConn Huskies’ official website, the deal is worth $18.7 million over five years, with a base salary of $400,000 per year. Additionally, he receives compensation for speaking, consulting, and media obligations, starting at $2.94 million for the 2024-25 season, with an annual increase of $200,000. Not bad at all for a guy who thought he was living large with that first contract.
“I’d like to thank David Benedict, Radenka Maric, and the University of Connecticut leadership for their trust in me and their commitment to the women’s basketball program,” Auriemma said, delighted to have signed an extension with the Huskies. “I still find it hard to believe that I’ve been at UConn for over half my life. I feel like there’s so much more that can be done, and will be done, and I’m excited to be the one to do it with my staff and my team. I’m probably as excited about these next few years as I’ve ever been over the last 40.”
Mar 25, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma talks to his players from the sideline as they take on the Syracuse Orange at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
This further solidifies his status as one of the highest-paid coaches not just in women’s college basketball but in the entire country. For the 2024-25 season, Auriemma’s salary is set at $3.34 million. However, as of 2025, South Carolina’s Dawn Staley surpassed him with a contract valued at $4 million annually, making her the top-paid coach in the sport.
What was Geno Auriemma’s previous contract with the UConn Huskies?
Geno has always maintained his position as one of the highest-paid head coaches in the country over the last two decades. So, his old contract was not too bad, either!
In May 2021, Auriemma signed a 5-year deal that included two 1-year mutual extension options at the end. Interestingly, Auriemma had a higher base salary in his previous contract. He was reportedly earning $600,000 per year, with additional compensation for speaking, consulting, and media obligations, which paid him $2.2 million in the 2020-21 season. This amount increased by $100,000 each year.
But that wasn’t the end of it! Auriemma’s contract also included performance bonuses and a potential job offer within the athletic department. If he steps away from his current position in good standing, he can take a job for up to five years with a salary of $500,000. If he declines, he’ll receive an additional $1 million. Additionally, his buyout started at $5 million, decreasing by $500,000 each successive year, as reported by The Courant.
What is Auriemma’s net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the basketball legend’s net worth is estimated to be around $18 million. This includes his earnings from coaching, endorsements, investments, and his restaurant business. However, specific details regarding his total career earnings are unavailable.
It’s easy to see why his net worth is so high! His long-standing success at UConn, combined with endorsements and media appearances, has certainly contributed.
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