Longtime University of Missouri women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton has announced her decision to step down at the conclusion of this season.

Pingeton is in her 15th season as the Tigers’ coach, having led Mizzou to four NCAA tournament postseason appearances and a record of 249-216 during her tenure. Her time at Mizzou has been highlighted by the playing career of Sophie Cunningham, who now plays for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, and a victory during the 2021-22 season against the eventual national champions South Carolina.

In a statement, MU athletic director Laird Veatch said that Pingeton, quote: “has poured her heart into Mizzou Women’s Basketball for the past 15 years, and we are tremendously grateful for her leadership, character, and dedication to our student-athletes.” Veatch added that a national search for the next head coach will begin soon.

Pingeton previously coached at St Ambrose and Illinois State, giving her an overall coaching record of 584-373 in 29 seasons. She currently has the third most amount of wins among current SEC head coaches, and is also the 17th winningest active coach in NCAA Division I women’s basketball.

The past two seasons have seen the Mizzou women team struggle to break through, finishing last in the SEC in 2024 with a 2-14 record. The Tigers are currently tied with Georgia and Arkansas at the bottom of the league standings, with Mizzou set to visit Arkansas on Thursday night. The final game before the SEC tournament will be Sunday at Mizzou Arena versus Vanderbilt.