Olivia Dunne’s LSU Coach Earns Peanuts Compared to NCAA Basketball Legends Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey

LSU Gymnastics clinched its inaugural national championship on Saturday 20th April 2024, marking a historic moment for the program. In the aftermath of the victory, LSU gymnastics head coach Jay Clark shed light on their approach to NIL, humorously acknowledging Olivia Dunne’s substantial earnings compared to his own. In jest, Clark quipped, “How do you want me to handle this since you make 10 times what I make?”

Despite the novelty of NIL in the collegiate landscape, Clark emphasized the program’s commitment to traditional values, allowing athletes like Dunne to manage their own ventures independently. As Dunne’s NIL ventures soar, questions arise about the earning gaps between top coaches and star athletes. This prompts scrutiny of the earnings of other esteemed coaches like Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey.

Jay Clark- Olivia Dunne’s LSU gymnastics coach

Jay Clark, the head coach of the LSU Tigers women’s gymnastics program, ascended to this role following the retirement of Suzanne Yoculan after the 2009 season. Having previously served as an assistant coach, Clark’s leadership transition marked a significant chapter in LSU gymnastics. After resigning as Georgia’s head coach on May 4, 2012, Clark assumed the position of gymnastics associate head coach and head of recruiting for the LSU Lady Tigers on July 1, 2012.

Reports indicate that the LSU administration has recommended extending Jay Clark’s tenure for two more years, potentially until the 2027 season. However, the final decision rests with a vote by the governing body. Presently, Clark’s contract extends through the 2025 gymnastics season, maintaining his annual compensation at $275,000.

Dawn Staley – South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team

Dawn Staley has established herself as one of the premier coaches in the sport, boasting two national championships and three Naismith Coach of the Year awards. In 2021, she secured a significant seven-year contract with the University of South Carolina valued at $22.4 million, earning $2.9 million annually. This deal, including a base salary of $1 million and $2 million in supplemental pay, positions her as one of the highest-paid coaches in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

The LSU Tigers women’s basketball team coach -Kim Mulkey

In 2023, Kim Mulkey, following her remarkable achievement of clinching her fourth national championship and her inaugural triumph at LSU, inked a lucrative new contract worth $36 million over a span of ten years, extending through 2033. This marked a notable upgrade from her previous eight-year deal valued at $23.6 million, initially penned in 2021, and it ensured her continued tenure with the Tigers for an additional four years.

Notably, Mulkey stands as the highest-paid coach in NCAA women’s basketball, boasting an average annual salary that shows her esteemed status within the collegiate coaching realm. She amassed a staggering $3.26 million throughout the 2023-24 season, as reported by USA Today.