Fresh off leading UCLA to its first-ever NCAA women's basketball championship, coach Cori Close is getting the recognition—and compensation—she deserves. The Bruins' sideline leader has agreed to a new four-year contract that nearly doubles her previous deal, catapulting her into the top 10 highest-paid coaches in women's college basketball.
The new contract, which averages roughly $2 million annually in total compensation, runs through the 2029-2030 season. It comes just one month after Close guided UCLA to a historic national title, cementing her place among the sport's elite.
"We are extremely proud of what Cori has accomplished in leading our women's basketball program," said UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond. "Winning a national championship is a tremendous achievement, but what truly stands out with Cori is the character, leadership and daily commitment she and her staff bring to developing student-athletes into the best versions of themselves. Cori exemplifies true Bruin values and we couldn't be more excited about the future under her leadership."
Close's new deal moves her significantly closer to the top tier of women's college basketball coaching salaries. For context, South Carolina's Dawn Staley leads the pack at a reported $4.25 million annually, followed by UConn's Geno Auriemma ($3.79 million), LSU's Kim Mulkey ($3.35 million), and Texas' Vic Schaefer (roughly $2.3 million). Those figures reflect sustained excellence—Auriemma has won a record 12 national titles, Mulkey has four, and Staley has three, while Schaefer has reached the last two Final Fours.
Having just completed her 15th season at UCLA, Close has built her own championship pedigree. She led the Bruins to consecutive Final Fours before capturing the program's first NCAA title this season. The championship run included decisive victories over both Schaefer's Longhorns and Staley's Gamecocks, capping a dominant season in which UCLA posted a 37-1 record and set school marks for wins and consecutive victories (31).
"I am so grateful to chancellor [Julio] Frenk and Martin Jarmond for their belief in our program and our vision," Close said. "This is just the beginning."
For UCLA fans and women's basketball supporters alike, Close's new deal signals that the Bruins are building something special—and they're ready to compete with the sport's traditional powerhouses for years to come.