A New Era for Gophers Athletics
The University of Minnesota announced this week that it has extended the contracts of athletics director Mark Coyle and women’s basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit, cementing the leadership that has driven recent on‑court success.
Plitzuweit’s deal includes a one‑year extension that runs through the 2031‑32 academic year and guarantees an annual salary increase of $30,000, rewarding the coach after the team captured its first NCAA tournament bid since 2018 and posted a 69‑30 record over three seasons, highlighted by a Sweet 16 run.
Coyle, meanwhile, received a two‑year extension through 2032, featuring $100,000 annual salary escalators, longevity bonuses that could total $2.578 million, and retirement benefits worth up to $1.8 million.
Both extensions are pending approval by the UMN Board of Regents, but they reflect a broader strategy that has seen Coyle recruit high‑profile coaches such as P.J. Fleck, Niko Medved, Hugh McCutcheon and Keegan Cook, while this spring he replaced the men’s and women’s hockey staff with Brett Larson and Greg May.
The moves underscore the university’s commitment to maintaining competitive programs across sports, positioning the Gophers for sustained growth under a stable leadership core.