The heavyweight championship matchup would bring the legendary rivalry of the head coaches—UConn’s brilliant Geno Auriemma versus South Carolina’s Dawn Staley—to the forefront. Preceding the final, Auriemma took the opportunity to compliment Staley’s great career and even cracked a self-deprecating joke about his old age.

Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, will be facing off against Geno Auriemma, head coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies, in the NCAA title game. And while both coaches have impressive stats and are paid well for their talent, Staley comes out ahead in her salary total for 2025.