Experience
2023 – Present: Head Coach, University of Minnesota
2022 – 2023: Head Coach, West Virginia University
2016 – 2022: Head Coach, University of South Dakota
2012 – 2016: Head Coach, Northern Kentucky University
2007 – 2012: Associate Head Coach, University of Michigan
2002 – 2007: Head Coach, Grand Valley State University
1998 – 2002: Top Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
1997 – 1998: Assistant Coach, University of Wisconsin
1995 – 1997: Assistant Coach, Michigan Tech University
1990 – 1995: Player, Michigan Tech University
Education
1995: Michigan Technological University, Bachelors, Biological Sciences
Personal
Hometown: West Bend, WI
Maiden Name: Zarling
Family: Jay (Husband) & A.J., Lexi (Children)
Career Highlights
Career Division I Record
248-102 (.709)
Career Record
365-141 (.721)
National Coach of the Year (1)
2005-06 Division II
National Championships (1)
2005-06 Division II
20+ Win Seasons (9)
2021-22, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2002-03
Winning Seasons (15)
2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14, 2012-13, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2002-03
Conference Coach of the Year (4)
2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18 Summit League & 2002-03 GLIAC
Conference Regular Season Championships (6)
2021-22, 2019-20, 2017-18 Summit League & 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05 GLIAC
Conference Tournament Championships (5)
2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20 Summit League & 2005-06, 2004-05 GLIAC
NCAA Tournament Berths (9)
2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2002-03
Other Post-Season Berths (6)
2017-18, 2016-17 WNIT & 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14, 2012-13 WBI
Final DI Top 25 Poll Rankings (1)
2019-20
2021-22 Kay Yow National Coach of the Year
2005-06 WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year
Led Grand Valley State to the 2005-06 NCAA Division II National Championship
In 2022-23, led West Virginia to a 19-12 (.613) overall and 10-8 (.556) Big 12 Conference record, as well as an NCAA Tournament berth – after the program was picked 8th (out of 10) in the Big 12 Conference preseason poll
2019-20, 2018-19, and 2017-18 Summit League Coach of the Year
From 2016 to 2022, led South Dakota to a 158-36 (.814) overall and 84-10 (.894) Summit League record, four 28+ win seasons, three Summit League Regular Season Championships, three Summit League Tournament Championships, and four NCAA Tournament berths (2021-22 Sweet 16 appearance)
USD’s scoring offense finished nationally ranked 8th in 2019-20 and 20th in 2018-19, as well as 1st in the Summit League in 2020-21 and 2019-20
USD’s scoring defense finished nationally ranked 8th in 2021-22 and 19th in 2019-20, as well as 1st in the Summit League in 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, and 2017-18
USD ranked 20th nationally in 2021-22, 1st in 2019-20, 5th in 2018-19, 17th in 2017-18, and 3rd in 2016-17 in the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll
Recruited and coached the first WNBA draft pick (2022) in South Dakota program history
From 2012 to 2016, led Northern Kentucky to a 71-54 (.568) overall and 42-26 (.618) conference record, as well as four post-season berths (first post-season berth and win in the program’s Division I history)
Guided NKU to both the most single-season (19) and conference (13) wins in the program’s Division I history
As a Division I Head Coach, has recruited and coached 40 all-conference team selections, as well as two Players of the Year, five Defensive Players of the Year, and two Freshman/Newcomers of the Year
From 2002 to 2007, led Grand Valley State to a 117-39 (.750) record, three GLIAC Regular Season Championships, two GLIAC Tournament Championships, and four NCAA Tournament berths
As a Assistant Coach in the Big Ten, helped lead Michigan and Wisconsin to a combined total of three 20+ win seasons and five post-season berths (two NCAA Tournaments)
A two-time GLIAC Player of the Year and All-American, was inducted into the Michigan Technological University Sports Hall of Fame in 2006
News & Media
9/26/23 – Dawn Plitzuweit, Minnesota Golden Gophers Prepare to Conquer Big Ten (Locked on Women’s Basketball)
3/31/23 – Plitzuweit Named Women’s Basketball Head Coach
3/20/23 – Dawn Plitzuweit’s University of Minnesota Press Conference
4/5/22 – Dawn Plitzuweit’s West Virginia University Press Conference
3/31/22 – Lyons Names Plitzuweit New Women’s Basketball Coach
7/11/19 – Plitzuweit Inks Five-Year Contract with USD
4/20/18 – Plitzuweit Contract Extended Through 2021
4/25/16 – Dawn Plitzuweit’s University of South Dakota Press Conference
4/25/16 – Plitzuweit Introduced as Head Coach
4/22/16 – South Dakota Names Plitzuweit Women’s Basketball Coach
Head Coach Record
Season | School | Overall | Conference | Championships | Post-Season |
2002-03 | Grand Valley State (DII) | 24-7 | 13-5 | NCAA (1st Round) | |
2003-04 | Grand Valley State (DII) | 11-15 | 8-10 | ||
2004-05 | Grand Valley State (DII) | 28-6 | 16-2 | GLIAC RS & T | NCAA (Elite 8) |
2005-06 | Grand Valley State (DII) | 33-3 | 15-1 | GLIAC RS & T | NCAA National Champions |
2006-07 | Grand Valley State (DII) | 21-8 | 14-4 | GLIAC RS | NCAA (1st Round) |
2012-13 | NKU | 15-13 | 12-6 | WBI (1st Round) | |
2013-14 | NKU | 18-13 | 13-5 | WBI (2nd Round) | |
2014-15 | NKU | 19-14 | 8-6 | WBI (1st Round) | |
2015-16 | NKU | 19-14 | 9-9 | WBI (1st Round) | |
2016-17 | South Dakota | 23-9 | 11-5 | WNIT (2nd Round) | |
2017-18 | South Dakota | 29-7 | 14-0 | Summit RS | WNIT (Quarterfinals) |
2018-19 | South Dakota | 28-6 | 14-2 | NCAA (1st Round) | |
2019-20 | South Dakota | 30-2 | 16-0 | Summit RS & T | NCAA (canceled) |
2020-21 | South Dakota | 19-6 | 12-2 | Summit T | NCAA (1st Round) |
2021-22 | South Dakota | 29-6 | 17-1 | Summit RS & T | NCAA (Sweet 16) |
2022-23 | WVU | 19-12 | 10-8 | NCAA (1st Round) | |
2023-24 | Minnesota | ||||
Career | 365-141 (.721) | 202-66 (.754) |