Sonoma State University Athletics

Mark Rigby returns for his 20th season as head coach of the Seawolves in 2016-17.  The winningest coach in SSU women’s basketball history, Rigby has led his teams to a 253-267 mark in 19 years at SSU.

Rigby has delivered a winning season in nine of his 19 seasons at the helm, including three 20-win seasons.  In his first two years at Sonoma State, Rigby led his team to back-to-back 20-plus win seasons, including a school-record 23 victories in 1998-99.  His teams have participated in the NCAA West Regionals six times, a feat no other basketball coach has accomplished at SSU.  A true student of the game, Rigby’s squads emphasize teamwork, defense, and hustle.

In 1997-98, Rigby led SSU to their first-ever conference championship and what was at the time a school record 20 wins.  In addition, the team enjoyed their first trip to the NCAA tournament.  He capped off the season by being named NCAC Coach of the Year.  Rigby was also honored as CCAA Co-Coach of the Year after guiding his 2001-02 team to a 21-8 record and the second round of the NCAA tourney.

One of the most successful high school coaches in the area, Rigby was the head coach at Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa for ten seasons.  At Ursuline, he compiled an oustanding 253-54 record while capturing nine North Bay League championships and the 1992 CIF Division IV State Championship.  After his stint at Ursuline, Rigby joined the staff at Santa Rosa Junior College for two years prior to his arrival at Sonoma State.