The University of Minnesota’s national search for a new women’s basketball coach has led to the hiring of Wisconsin native Dawn Plitzuweit. The university made the news official Saturday morning, one day after Plitzuweit’s West Virginia Mountaineers lost to Arizona in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
“I am extremely excited,” said Plitzuweit. “This is a homecoming of sorts, and Minnesota is a program that I am very familiar with from my previous time in the surrounding area and in the Big Ten. I am looking forward to getting back to the area and to meet the team, alumni and fans. I am also looking forward to reconnecting with local high school and club coaches. I can’t wait to get to work.”
West Virginia athletics director Shane Lyons announced after hiring Plitzuweit a year ago that she received a five-year contract worth a total of $3 million. She arrived at West Virginia after six years at South Dakota, where she led the Coyotes to the NCAA tournament four times. She was the three-time Summit League coach of the year.
Terms of her deal with Minnesota weren’t immediately known, but KSTP’s Darren Wolfson is reporting that it’s a six-year deal.
In the 2022 NCAA tournament, South Dakota beat Ole Miss in the first round and then upset No. 2 Baylor in the second round before losing to Michigan in the Sweet 16.
“I am excited to welcome Dawn, her husband Jay and their family to Minnesota,” said Minnesota athletics director Mark Coyle. “Dawn is a process-driven coach and has coached winning teams at every step of her career. She has recruited Minnesota and has consistently produced teams that compete for championships. Dawn has Big Ten coaching experience and knows how competitive and strong the conference is. I know she is excited to get back to the area and build her program.”
Plitzuweit is originally from West Bend, Wisconsin.
Minnesota began a national search for a new coach after, according to Coyle, he and Lindsay Whalen “mutually agreed” that it was time for Whalen to step down after five years leading her alma mater.
Whalen has yet to publicly address her departure.
