Joann Rutherford

Who is Joann Rutherford?

Joann Rutherford was the head women's basketball coach at the University of Missouri from 1975 to 1998. She holds school records for longest tenured head coach, most wins by a head coach with 422, and highest career winning percentage. Her career record spanning 23 seasons is 422-263. She guided the Tigers to winning campaigns in 19 out of 23 seasons. She led the Tigers to four Big Eight Conference championships in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1990.

Missouri also won five conference tournament championships, in 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1994. She is a three time Big Eight coach of the year winner, getting honors in 1984, 1985, and 1990. In the 1980s, she was named Big Eight coach of the decade, after compiling a 213-98 record during that span. At the time of her retirement, she ranked 35th on the all time list of coaching wins.

She has recorded 20 wins in 11 seasons, and has guided the Tigers to six berths in the NCAA tournament. Her 1982 team reached the Elite Eight, which is the furthest tournament run in school history. From 1983 to 1986, Missouri won three out of four Big Eight titles going 41-14 in conference play during that span.