Dawn Plitzuweit

Head Women’s Basketball Coach
University of Minnesota

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

Head Coach Record