Robin Pingeton

Robin Pingeton

Robin Pingeton was named the head coach of the University of Wisconsin women’s basketball program on March 25, 2025, bringing with her a wealth of experience, a strong track record of success, and a commitment to player development both on and off the court.
Robin Pingeton Career
1986-90 St. Ambrose Player
1990-92 WBA Player
1992-00 St. Ambrose Head Coach
2000-02 Iowa State Assistant Coach
2002-03 Iowa State Associate Head Coach
2003-10 Illinois St. Head Coach
2010-25 Missouri Head Coach
2025-Present Wisconsin Head Coach
Team Accomplishments
• 10 postseason appearances
• Four NCAA Tournament appearances
• 14 20+ win season
• Two MVS Championships
• Three regular season conference championships 
• Three top 5 SEC finishes
• Highest ranked win in Missouri program history - defeat of No.1 South Carolina
• Achieved Missouri's highest poll ranking since 1984-85 - No.11 in AP Top 25 in 2017-18
• 30 wins over top-25 teams and seven over teams ranked in the top 10
• 32-16 record when ranked top 25 in Coaches Poll
• 40 weeks ranked in AP Top 25
Individual Awards
• 2018 Naismith Coach of the Year National Semifinalist
• 2018 WBCA National Coach of the Year Finalist
• 2017 Naismith Coach of the Year National Semifinalist
• 2017 SEC Coach of the Year
• 2017 ROARS Coach of the Year 2017
• 2017 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Coach of the Year 
• 2010 Missouri Valley Coach of the Year 
• 2004 Missouri Valley Coach of the Year 
• Three WNBA draft picks - Sophie Cunningham (2019), Bri Kulas (2014), Christine Flores (2012)
• Nine All-Americans
• Five Conference Players of the Year
• 45 All-Conference Players 
• Nine SEC All-Freshman Team Honorees
• Signed highest ranked recruiting class in Missouri program history (No.11 in 2019) 
• Coached two 2,000-point scorers including Missouri's all-time program leader Sophie Cunningham
• Coached four 1,000 point scorers
• St. Ambrose all-time scoring leader with 2,502 points
• All-American honors in basketball and softball
Academic Awards
• Seven Academic All-Americans
• 97 Academic Honor Roll members
• 27 First-Year Academic Honor Roll members
• No. 8 in 2023-24 WBCA Top 25 Academic Honor Roll
• No. 23 in in 2022-23 WBCA Top 25 Academic Honor Roll
• 12 community service team selections


Pingeton arrives in Madison following a 15-year tenure as the head coach at the University of Missouri, where she led the Tigers to consistent success in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under her leadership, Missouri secured four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2016 to 2019 and developed a reputation as a tough, disciplined, and fundamentally sound team. Over her time with the Tigers, Pingeton compiled a 250-218 overall record and played a pivotal role in revitalizing the program. She also played a significant role in player development, with several of her athletes earning All-SEC honors and pursuing professional careers in the WNBA and overseas leagues. Additionally, she guided Missouri to multiple 20-win seasons and coached several standout players who broke school records in scoring, assists, and rebounds.

Prior to her time at Missouri, Pingeton served as the head coach at Illinois State University from 2003 to 2010. During her seven seasons with the Redbirds, she led the program to three Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) appearances and multiple Missouri Valley Conference championships. Her efforts at Illinois State earned her Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors and national recognition as a rising star in women’s college basketball coaching. In addition to her success on the court, Pingeton was instrumental in recruiting and developing talent, creating a program culture centered around academic excellence and community involvement. She established mentoring programs for student-athletes, ensuring their holistic development beyond basketball.

Pingeton’s head coaching career began at her alma mater, St. Ambrose University, where she guided the program from 1992 to 2000. In eight seasons, she turned St. Ambrose into an NAIA powerhouse, earning several conference championships and developing a foundation for future coaching success. During her tenure, the team consistently ranked among the top NAIA programs in the country, and she mentored multiple NAIA All-Americans. 

Known for her emphasis on hard-nosed defense, disciplined offensive execution, and relentless effort, Pingeton has developed a coaching philosophy centered around accountability, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence. She prioritizes player development, both athletically and academically, and has helped numerous players achieve success beyond college, whether in professional basketball or other careers. Her structured approach to team-building focuses on developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel on the court and in the classroom.

She is deeply committed to fostering a culture of mental toughness and leadership within her teams. Pingeton’s coaching philosophy extends beyond the basketball court, as she emphasizes personal development, goal setting, and community engagement. Throughout her career, she has prioritized equipping her players for life beyond basketball.

Pingeton is also a strong advocate for leadership development, frequently instilling in her players the values of perseverance, responsibility, and integrity. Her ability to connect with student-athletes and build strong team cultures has been a hallmark of her coaching career. She has often spoken at coaching clinics and leadership conferences, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and long-term athlete development. Additionally, she has served on multiple advisory boards for women’s basketball development and has been an advocate for the growth of women’s sports.

As a player, Pingeton was a standout at St. Ambrose University, where she earned NAIA All-American honors and graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer. She was known for her scoring ability, court vision, and leadership on the floor. Her experience as a high-level player has given her a deep understanding of the game and a unique ability to mentor young athletes striving to reach their potential. In addition to her on-court accomplishments, Pingeton was also recognized for her academic achievements, reflecting her commitment to the student-athlete model.

Pingeton and her husband, Rich, are the proud parents of two sons, Blake, born June 9, 2006, and Zach, born July 5, 2011.
 
Robin Pingeton Head Coaching Record
Season Record Conference Record Place Conference Tournament Postseason
ST. AMBROSE
1992-93 22-8 11-1 T-1st Regional Second Round
1993-94 25-7 10-2 2nd Nationals Second Round
1994-95 19-11 0-0 Regional Second Round
1995-96 29-6 14-0 1st Champions Nationals Elite Eight
1996-97 27-7 10-2 2nd Semifinals Nationals First Round
1997-98 20-15 8-4 3rd Second Place
1998-99 19-15 8-2 1st Champions Nationals Sweet 16
1999-00 30-7 11-1 1st Champions Nationals Elite Eight
TOTALS 191-76 72-12
ILLINOIS STATE
2003-04 16-13 9-9 5th
2004-05 13-18 7-11 8th Champions NCAA First Round
2005-06 12-16 7-11 6th
2006-07 22-11 13-5 2nd WNIT Second Round
2007-08 26-7 13-5 T-1st Champions NCAA First Round
2008-09 27-8 15-3 1st WNIT Semifinals
2009-10 28-8 16-2 1st WNIT Semifinals
TOTALS
144-81 80-46
MISSOURI
2010-11 13-18 5-11 10th
2011-12 13-18 2-16 10th
2012-13 17-15 6-10 8th WNIT First Round
2013-14 17-14 6-10 8th WNIT First Round
2014-15 19-14 7-9 T-7th WNIT Quarterfinals
2015-16 22-10 8-8 T-7th NCAA Second Round
2016-17 22-11 11-5 T-3rd NCAA Second Round
2017-18 24-8 11-5 T-4th NCAA First Round
2018-19 24-11 10-6 T-5th NCAA Second Round
2019-20 9-22 5-11 11th
2020-21 9-13 5-9 10th WNIT First Round / Consolation Round
2021-22 24-8 7-9 9th WNIT First Round
2022-23 18-14 6-10 9th WNIT Second Round
2023-24 11-19 2-14 14th
2024-25 14-18 3-13 15th
TOTALS 250-218 95-148
CAREER 585-375 250-90