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Photo by: Ceci De Young
Plitzuweit Inks Extension, Under Contract Through 2032
6/11/2026 3:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Plitzuweit led the Gophers to the Sweet 16 last season for the first time since 2005
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota and head women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit have agreed to a contract extension, which was approved by the Board of Regents at their June meeting. Plitzuwiet is now under contract with the Maroon and Gold through 2032.
The 2026-27 season will be Plitzuweit's fourth leading the Gophers. Minnesota is 69-36 overall in three seasons under Plitzuweit and have improved each year.
Last season, the Gophers played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018 and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005. Minnesota won the 2025 WBIT Championship and played in the 2024 WNIT Championship game.
Minnesota was 24-9 overall last season and 13-5 in Big Ten play. The Gophers hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 and advanced to the Sweet 16 before ending the season ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll. Minnesota checked in at No. 9 in the final NET rankings, which was the third highest by a Big Ten team.
The Gophers reached the 20-win mark for the third consecutive season and the 13 Big Ten wins matched a program record, previously set in 1982-83 and 1984-85. Minnesota added four wins against Top 25 teams and two wins against Top 10 teams, marking the program's first season with multiple Top-10 wins since 2003-04.
Student-athletes Amaya Battle, Mara Braun, Grace Grocholski and Tori McKinney were named to All-Big Ten teams - and in a program first - Battle and McKinney were named to the All-Defensive Team.
The 2024-25 season was highlighted by winning five straight postseason games, four on the road, to win the 2025 WBIT Championships. McKinney, who was a freshman, was named WBIT Tournament MVP and also earned WBIT All-Tournament Team honors alongside Battle.
Minnesota went 25-11 and recorded the program's first 25-win season since 2004-05. The Gophers also earned their first AP national ranking since 2019 when they entered the polls at No. 24 on Jan. 13, 2025. Plitzuweit also coached two Gophers to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades in Battle and Grocholski.
Plitzuweit's first year with the Gophers was 2023-24. Minnesota went 20-16 overall and played for the WNIT Championship.
Her squad included seven returning players from the 2022-23 team that went 11-19. In addition, Plitzuweit coached a pair of All-Big Ten Honorable Mention guards Battle and Braun, while also helping Grocholski earn a unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection.
Minnesota has also excelled in the classroom under Plitzuweit. Last year, nine players earned Academic All-Big Ten honors and Battle, Braun, Grocholski and McKinney were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. Battle was recognized as an Academic All-American for the second consecutive season, becoming the first Gopher since Carlie Wagner to earn the honor in back-to-back years (2017, 2018).
The Gophers have also been active in the community under Plitzuweit and have volunteered their time with the following organizations: HopeKids, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners and Pillars of Prospect Park.
The 2026-27 season will be Plitzuweit's fourth leading the Gophers. Minnesota is 69-36 overall in three seasons under Plitzuweit and have improved each year.
Last season, the Gophers played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018 and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005. Minnesota won the 2025 WBIT Championship and played in the 2024 WNIT Championship game.
Minnesota was 24-9 overall last season and 13-5 in Big Ten play. The Gophers hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 and advanced to the Sweet 16 before ending the season ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll. Minnesota checked in at No. 9 in the final NET rankings, which was the third highest by a Big Ten team.
The Gophers reached the 20-win mark for the third consecutive season and the 13 Big Ten wins matched a program record, previously set in 1982-83 and 1984-85. Minnesota added four wins against Top 25 teams and two wins against Top 10 teams, marking the program's first season with multiple Top-10 wins since 2003-04.
Student-athletes Amaya Battle, Mara Braun, Grace Grocholski and Tori McKinney were named to All-Big Ten teams - and in a program first - Battle and McKinney were named to the All-Defensive Team.
The 2024-25 season was highlighted by winning five straight postseason games, four on the road, to win the 2025 WBIT Championships. McKinney, who was a freshman, was named WBIT Tournament MVP and also earned WBIT All-Tournament Team honors alongside Battle.
Minnesota went 25-11 and recorded the program's first 25-win season since 2004-05. The Gophers also earned their first AP national ranking since 2019 when they entered the polls at No. 24 on Jan. 13, 2025. Plitzuweit also coached two Gophers to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades in Battle and Grocholski.
Plitzuweit's first year with the Gophers was 2023-24. Minnesota went 20-16 overall and played for the WNIT Championship.
Her squad included seven returning players from the 2022-23 team that went 11-19. In addition, Plitzuweit coached a pair of All-Big Ten Honorable Mention guards Battle and Braun, while also helping Grocholski earn a unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection.
Minnesota has also excelled in the classroom under Plitzuweit. Last year, nine players earned Academic All-Big Ten honors and Battle, Braun, Grocholski and McKinney were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. Battle was recognized as an Academic All-American for the second consecutive season, becoming the first Gopher since Carlie Wagner to earn the honor in back-to-back years (2017, 2018).
The Gophers have also been active in the community under Plitzuweit and have volunteered their time with the following organizations: HopeKids, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners and Pillars of Prospect Park.
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