Yes, she is worth it. In fact, one could even argue that she is worth more. Under Pingeton, Mizzou’s women’s basketball program has experienced success not seen in a decade. As Cindy Stein’s replacement, Coach Pingeton had to assume power of one of the worst programs in the nation, as the Tigers’ place in the challenging Big 12 landscape was on a constant decline. They were a team that relied heavily on veterans, which led them to become one of the worst destinations to end up as a freshman.

Although Pingeton had her work cut out for her, Mizzou continued to make steady progress under her, and by the 2015-16 season, Mizzou had made its way back to the NCAA Tournament—a major milestone for the program. Pingeton’s strategies and vision were such that she led the Tigers to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2016 to 2019.

One of her standout performances as Missouri’s Head Coach was a third-place finish in the South Eastern Conference and a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The 2016-17 season also marked the Tigers’ highest finish in league play since joining the SEC. In fact, this was also the first time that any coach in the history of the Mizzou put together two separate win streaks of five or more in-league action in the same campaign.

This not only let her set the bar in terms of wins and rankings; but she set a precedent for future Tigers, displaying a powerful mix of discipline and optimism that propelled Mizzou women’s basketball back into national relevance.

In a recent interview, she stated, “I’m a firm believer in being where my feet are and about being present, about controlling what I can control and winning the day.” Her methods extend beyond training; she emphasizes resilience, staying present, and focusing on what’s within her control. She does this by instilling this philosophy in her athletes, by being a role model for them.

She highlighted this in an interview with the Columbia Daily Tribune, where she stated, “And that’s what we talk to our players about on a daily basis, and I think it’s really important that I’m in a place that I’m modeling that behavior for them.”

Legacy and Uncertainty: Will Robin Pingeton’s Leadership Carry Mizzou Women’s Basketball Forward?

Mizzou’s success story with Pingeton includes impressive achievements on and off the court. Under her guidance, the Tigers have reached the postseason 10 times over the past 11 years. Her players have received numerous accolades, from All-American titles to All-SEC team placements. While on the academic front, she has helped her team’s GPA to consistently rank among the highest in the conference, proving her dedication to fostering well-rounded athletes.

This season, however, presents a challenging landscape. The Tigers enter the SEC Tournament as the 14th seed, facing an uphill battle to meet postseason expectations. With interim Athletic Director Marcy Girton now at the helm following the departure of Desireé Reed-Francois, Pingeton’s future at Mizzou remains uncertain.

The athletic department’s leadership shift has intensified the spotlight on her performance, particularly since Reed-Francois had set clear expectations for the team to return to the NCAA Tournament after last season’s WNIT second-round exit. A question lingers: Will Girton or the new athletic director make the call to retain Pingeton beyond her current contract?

If Mizzou decides to part ways with Pingeton after this season, her buyout is $233,333, according to USA Today an acceptable price to pay for the services of a head coach who has completely changed the face of the University of Missouri.

However, Pingeton’s long-term future at Mizzou shall depend on the Tiger’s performance this season. No matter what, Pingeton’s myriad of accomplishments at Mizzou are undeniable. With 571 career wins, she is third among active SEC head coaches and one of only 16 Division I head coaches in a Power Five program to have reached the 500-win mark. As Mizzou moves into the future, there is no doubt that Robin Pingeton could be said to be a foundational force in Mizzou athletics.