UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close has inked a four‑year agreement that guarantees her roughly $2 million per season, positioning her among the elite ten highest‑paid coaches in the sport.
The deal comes after Close steered the Bruins to their first national championship, a triumph highlighted by signature wins over powerhouse programs and a string of record‑setting performances that culminated in consecutive Final Fours.
A New Era for UCLA Women’s Basketball
Close’s contract also reflects the program’s broader philosophy, emphasizing not only athletic prowess but also academic achievement, as evidenced by a 3.7 GPA maintained during the championship quarter and a graduation rate that sees every WNBA‑drafted player earn a degree.
Performance incentives were fully realized, with all 11 bonuses unlocked, adding $180,000 to the base salary and underscoring the university’s commitment to rewarding success on the court.
The agreement follows a previous contract that paid Close $1.2 million before incentives, marking a significant increase that mirrors the growing financial landscape of women’s collegiate sports.
Commentators note that Close’s rise coincides with a national surge in investment in women’s athletics, a trend also visible in the expanding reach of the WNBA and the heightened visibility of coaches like Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, Kim Mulkey, Vic Schaefer and Julio Frenk.