At this point many fans of women’s basketball are tired of Geno Auriemma’s domination. He is leading UConn to another unbeaten season and they are favorites to win the National Championship. But, if you have UConn fatigue, beat him—that’s what Huskies fans argue. Auriemma has been a class apart, building UConn into national relevance and once going head to head with legendary coach Pat Summitt. Let’s have a look at how much one of the greatest coaches of the generation earns at UConn. 

How Much Does Geno Auriemma Earn At UConn? Exploring Contract Details

UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma signed a five-year contract extension through April 2029 in 2024. The entire deal is worth $18.7 million, with a $400,000 base salary and an additional $2.94 million for speaking, consulting and media obligations that increases by $200,000 each season.

“Geno has been such a mainstay at UConn that it’s impossible to overstate his lasting positive influence on our student-athletes, the women’s basketball program and Connecticut as a whole,” UConn President Radenka Maric said at the time. “We know he has even more to demonstrate and teach all of us in the years ahead—not only about leading a world-class basketball program, but also about living a life of conviction, compassion, and service.”

Auriemma’s salary has gone up sharply through the years. In 2016, he signed a $13 million, 5-year deal that paid him $2.4 million compensation each year. In 2021, he signed another extension worth $15 million over 5 years. The 2024 deal was UConn’s way of securing their coach in the new era. 

“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,” Auriemma said at the time. ”I’m probably as excited about these next few years as I’ve ever been over the last 40.” 

How much will Geno Auriemma Earn In the 2025-26 Season?

Last season, Auriemma was the second-highest paid women’s basketball coach. He was behind South Carolina’s Dawn Staley. Auriemma was paid $3.34 million from UConn for the year that started on April 15, 2024. He also earned $737,500 in bonuses, which included $300,000 for winning the national championship. 

In total, Auriemma’s earnings for last season were $4,077,500. The expectation is for that number to go up as he will earn atleast $3.54 million this season along with a  $100,000 final four bonus. If they win the National Championship, the number will rise further. 

Is Geno Auriemma Returning For The 2026-27 Season?

Yes, Geno Auriemma has confirmed that he is returning to coach the Huskies for the 2026-27 season. “I’ve passed up two great opportunities to walk away,” Auriemma said. “I don’t know if God is going to give me any more. He gave me a great opportunity in 2016, right? And I blew it. Then he gave me another great opportunity last year. They say it rarely ends the way you want it to end, and he gave me two great opportunities to end it the way I would want it to end.”

He added that things could change and “something could come up.” For now, his intention is to be back for his 42nd year at the helm. He is also under contract till 2029 but there could be a retirement clause with a buyout included. 

What is Geno Auriemma’s Record As A UConn Coach ?

Over his 40 years at UConn, he has made 25 Final Fours, averaged more than 30 wins per season and won 12 National Championships. He is arguably the greatest college basketball coach of all time, with a record of 1288-65  and a win percentage of 88.6% which is the best in women’s basketball history. He is the fourth women’s basketball coach to reach 1,000 career wins and was the fastest coach to reach the mark, doing so in his 1,135th career game. 

Geno Auriemma has recruited and developed some of the best women’s basketball players ever at any level. The alumni include the likes of Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart Tina Charles, and Paige Bueckers, among others. Auriemma has built this program from the ground up after joining in 1985.  So, it’s safe to say he deserves every penny he gets from his contract with the Huskies.