Bio

Scott Pirnstill, the 2012 MCC and 2015 NSAA Coach of the Year, is entering his 15^th season in 2023 as head coach of the Viterbo Women’s Soccer program. He has coached four conference Player of the Year recipients, one Offensive Player of the Year, one Defensive Player of the Year, and five conference Newcomers of the Year. Pirnstill has trained a total of 76 All-Conference honorees.

2021 brought double-digit win season for Viterbo, as the V-Hawks went 10-5, including a 6-game win streak in which they outscored opponents 26-3. First-Team All-Conference Abigail Mumm had 15 goals on the season, and CAC Newcomer of the Year Lauren Wedig added nine for the team that would reach the conference semifinal round.

In 2018, Viterbo earned ten wins for the fifth time in Pirnstill's tenure. The V-Hawks got revenge on Bellevue in the A.I.I. Tournament, who had beaten them six days prior in the season finale. The V-Hawks won 1-0 to advance to the championship game, where they fell to #7 Georgia Gwinnett. Viterbo defeated two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) schools during the including UW-Stout (3-1) and UW-Whitewater (2-1, OT) and pushed UW-Platteville to their very edge (losing 3-4). Freshman Sydney King scored a team-high 11 goals during the season.

Pirnstill and the V-Hawks returned to the National stage in 2015 after winning ten-straight contests over the final two months of the season. Viterbo was honored with its highest ranking in program history (No. 20) and won the NSAA regular season and tournament championships before falling to No. 11 Baker in the NAIA Opening Round. The V-Hawks landed eight on the All-NSAA squad as Pirnstill earned his second Coach of the Year honor.

In 2014, Viterbo reached double-digit wins for the third straight season. In their first regular-season contest, the V-Hawks dispatched NCAA DI University of North Dakota. In the MCC Tournament, Viterbo downed Clarke University 4-0, but fell to St. Ambrose University 3-2 in the semifinals to finish the year 14-4 overall.

Pirnstill’s fourth season was a breakout season for the V-Hawks as he helped lead the team to a MCC regular season and postseason championship helping him earn MCC Coach of the Year. The postseason title gave the V-Hawks an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament which was their first ever appearance. The 2012 season saw the V-Hawks finish 15-3-1 overall and 5-1 in conference action. The 2012 team included the leading scorer in the NAIA, the fourth most assists by an individual player and two NAIA All-Americans.

Prior to taking over as head coach in 2009, Pirnstill served as assistant coach for the V-Hawks from 2001-2009. During this time, Pirnstill also helped start the first ever Viterbo University Futsal program in the area which has grown to over 450 players. As an assistant, the V-Hawks won their first ever Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships in 2006 and 2007. The V-Hawks also advanced to the NAIA Region VII Tournament both seasons including a trip to the regional final four in 2006.

Outside of Viterbo, Pirnstill holds an extensive resume of playing and coaching experience. As a player, Pirnstill was selected to Wisconsin ODP U-16 and U-17 State teams and played club soccer with Racine United (Wis.). He then went on to play at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Pirnstill has an equally extensive coaching history. Coach Pirnstill has had an enormous impact on the development and growth of competitive soccer in the Coulee Region. He has compiled a diverse coaching resume including: Onalaska's Park and Recreation soccer program (U14 boys), Onalaska Soccer Club (U15 boys), Winona Youth Soccer Association Club (U14 girls), and CRM Lightning club (U14, 15, 16, 17 girls). During his four-year stint coaching with CRM Lightning, Pirnstill's teams qualified for the state tournament four times, earning a second-place finish and a state championship, going undefeated the entire season and tournament. Pirnstill also served as the Director of Coaching and Player Development for CRM Lightning from 2003 to 2009. Pirnstill is currently coaching the Mississippi Valley Storm U14 boys’ team who was state runner up in 2012.

In addition to coaching club soccer, Pirnstill also served as a staff coach for the Olympic Development Program. He coached the 91' Minnesota girl's pool team and has also participated as a Minnesota ODP District Select coach for 4 years. In 2011, coach Pirnstill served as the 96 girls Dakota ODP Head Coach.

He coached high school soccer in the La Crosse area for 3 years with the La Crosse Central boys JV (1994) and more recently the West Salem High School girls’ varsity team (2008-2009, 2012-2013).

Coach Pirnstill has amassed an impressive list of coaching certifications and licenses. His current qualifications include NSCAA National, Advanced National, and Premier Licenses. He also holds NSCAA Goalkeeping Level I & II Diplomas as well as various other NSCAA Special Topics Diplomas. Pirnstill also received his Coerver Youth Diploma.

“I enjoy the family atomosphere and lasting relationships with players and their families."

Pirnstill currently resides in Onalaska with his wife Abby and sons Boston, Ryan, and Jack.