How Lisa Bluder Earns Millions as One of the Top Coaches in Women’s College Basketball

Lisa Bluder is one of the most successful and respected coaches in women’s college basketball. She is the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball program, where she has led her team to many victories and accolades. In this article, we will explore her salary, net worth, earning career, education, partner, family, age, and bio.

Salary and Net Worth

Lisa Bluder’s salary and net worth are impressive, as she is among the highest-paid coaches in women’s college basketball. Her base salary for 2022 was $838,506, and her total pay, including other sources, was around $1.3 million. However, her contract cleverly includes automatic extensions and pay bumps tied to her team’s success. For example, she received a 15% increase in her base salary after reaching the Elite Eight in 2023, bringing her new base salary to approximately $964,282.

In addition to her salary, Bluder also earns performance incentives for her team’s achievements. For instance, she earned $310,000 in bonuses for the 2022-23 season, which included $100,000 for reaching the Final Four. Her net worth is estimated at around $3 million, which she has accumulated through her coaching salary, performance incentives, and endorsements.

Earning Career

Lisa Bluder has had a remarkable earning career as a basketball coach, with over 30 years of coaching experience. She started her coaching career at St. Ambrose University, where she led the Bees to four national tournaments with a record of 169-36, making them an NAIA powerhouse. She was named the NAIA Converse Coach of the Year in 1990.

She then moved to Drake University, where she coached the Bulldogs for 10 seasons. She had a .638 record at Drake and won six Missouri Valley Conference titles. She also coached two Academic All-America Players of the Year and achieved a high graduation rate success for the Bulldogs in 1995.

She joined the University of Iowa in 2000 and has been the head coach of the Hawkeyes ever since. She has a winning record of 396-217 (.629) at Iowa and 752-359 (.679) overall. She is the dean of Big Ten coaches and has won four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards. She has led her team to 16 postseason appearances, including two consecutive Big Ten Tournament titles and a Final Four appearance in 2023.

She also coached the U.S.A. women’s basketball team at the Pan American Games in Toronto in 2015, where they won the silver medal. She has been inducted into both the Iowa High School Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions to the sport.

Education

Lisa Bluder received her education from the University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated in 1983 with a degree in marketing. She was also a four-year letterwinner and a two-time team captain for the Panthers. She ranks among the top 10 in school history in assists, steals, and free throw percentage..

She is also an alumna of Linn-Mar High School, where she graduated in 1979. She was a star player for the Lions, leading them to a state championship in 1977. She was named the Iowa High School Player of the Year in 1979 and was a three-time all-state selection.

Partner and Family

Lisa Bluder is married to David Bluder, who is a former basketball player and coach. He played for the University of Northern Iowa and later coached at St. Ambrose University and Drake University. He is currently the director of basketball operations for the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball program.

The couple has three children: Hannah, Emma, and David Jr. Hannah and Emma both played basketball for the University of Iowa, following their parents’ footsteps. David Jr. is a sophomore at Linn-Mar High School and plays basketball and baseball.

Age and Bio

Lisa Bluder was born on April 16, 1961, in Appleton, Wisconsin. She is 62 years old as of 2024. She is the daughter of Larry and Shirley Geske and has four siblings. She grew up in Marion, Iowa, where she developed her passion for basketball at an early age. She is a devout Christian and credits her faith for her success and happiness.

She is a highly respected and admired coach in women’s college basketball, with a passion for the sport and a dedication to her team. She is known for her positive attitude, her high standards, and her mentorship of young women. She is a role model for many aspiring coaches and players, as well as a leader in her community.

Conclusion

Lisa Bluder is one of the most successful and respected coaches in women’s college basketball. She has a remarkable earning career, a high net worth, a strong education, a supportive partner and family, and a rich bio. She is an inspiration for many people who love basketball and want to achieve their goals.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

• Q: How much does Lisa Bluder make per year?
• A: Lisa Bluder makes around $1.4 million per year, including her base salary and other guaranteed income. Her salary may vary depending on her team’s performance and incentives.
• Q: How long has Lisa Bluder been coaching at Iowa?
• A: Lisa Bluder has been coaching at Iowa since 2000. She is the longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten and the second-longest-tenured coach in the nation.
• Q: How many times has Lisa Bluder won the Big Ten Coach of the Year award?
• A: Lisa Bluder has won the Big Ten Coach of the Year award four times, in 2001, 2008, 2010, and 2019.
• Q: How many times has Lisa Bluder led Iowa to the NCAA Tournament?
• A: Lisa Bluder has led Iowa to the NCAA Tournament 14 times, including nine consecutive appearances from 2010 to 2019.
• Q: How far has Lisa Bluder led Iowa in the NCAA Tournament?
• A: Lisa Bluder has led Iowa to the Final Four once, in 2023. She has also led Iowa to the Elite Eight twice, in 2015 and 2023, and the Sweet 16 four times, in 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2023.
• Q: Where did Lisa Bluder coach before Iowa?
• A: Lisa Bluder coached at Drake University for 10 seasons, from 1990 to 2000. She also coached at St. Ambrose University for six seasons, from 1984 to 1990.
• Q: Where did Lisa Bluder go to college?
• A: Lisa Bluder went to the University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated in 1983 with a degree in marketing. She was also a four-year letterwinner and a two-time team captain for the Panthers.
• Q: Where did Lisa Bluder go to high school?
• A: Lisa Bluder went to Linn-Mar High School, where she graduated in 1979. She was a star player for the Lions, leading them to a state championship in 1977. She was named the Iowa High School Player of the Year in 1979 and was a three-time all-state selection.
• Q: Who is Lisa Bluder’s husband?
• A: Lisa Bluder’s husband is David Bluder, who is a former basketball player and coach. He played for the University of Northern Iowa and later coached at St. Ambrose University and Drake University. He is currently the director of basketball operations for the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball program.
• Q: How many children does Lisa Bluder have?
• A: Lisa Bluder has three children: Hannah, Emma, and David Jr. Hannah and Emma both played basketball for the University of Iowa, following their parents’ footsteps. David Jr. is a sophomore at Linn-Mar High School and plays basketball and baseball.