Carnegie Mellon's Tony Wingen to Retire After 35 Seasons as Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Carnegie Mellon University’s long-time head men’s basketball coach Tony Wingen(opens in new window) has announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2025, after 35 seasons at the helm of the Tartan program.

Wingen, who joined the university in 1990, retires as the winningest coach in Carnegie Mellon history, with 390 career victories. Under his leadership, the Tartans made three NCAA Tournament appearances (2006, 2009, 2024), captured the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship in 2005-06, and reached five ECAC postseason tournaments.

“Tony has had a profound and lasting impact on generations of student-athletes,” said Josh Centor(opens in new window), associate vice president for Student Affairs and director of Athletics. “He built a program grounded in integrity, humility and excellence, and has positively impacted the educational experience of hundreds of Tartans through his love for them and the game of basketball. We are forever grateful for his service to Carnegie Mellon.”

Over the course of his career, Wingen coached 15 players who surpassed 1,000 career points, 69 All-UAA honorees, five D3hoops.com All-Region honorees (several who went on to play professionally) and five Academic All-Americans. He was recognized as UAA Coach of the Year three times (2004-05, 2005-06, 2023-24) and was named Great Lakes Coach of the Year in 2005-06.

Beyond his on-court success, Wingen served in several key leadership roles within the department, including a tenure as associate Athletics director through 2017. In 2019, he was honored with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III Outstanding Service Award, recognizing his distinguished contributions to the game. As chairman of the NABC Committee on Academics, Wingen played a foundational role in establishing the Team Academic Excellence Awards. Under his leadership, the Tartans are one of only seven programs across all NCAA divisions to have earned the honor in each of the 12 years it has been awarded. He also served as a member of the NCAA Great Lakes Region selection committee.

Wingen began his coaching career as an assistant at Springfield College in 1982, where he earned both his bachelor’s degree in physical education and master’s degree in athletic administration. He later joined the staff at Brown University, contributing to the team’s Ivy League Championship in 1985-86. Wingen then moved to the University of the South, serving as an assistant coach for two seasons before becoming head coach from 1988-90, compiling 21 wins during his tenure. Across all levels, Wingen retires with 411 career coaching victories.

“Tony won many games as our head men’s basketball coach, but his legacy is felt everywhere across our athletics department. He is one of the hardest-working people I have ever met, and he has always cared deeply about every aspect of this university and our athletics program,” Centor said. “Tony Wingen is truly one of the finest human beings I have ever known, and we will miss him dearly.”

Wingen resides in Mt. Lebanon with his wife, Kris. They have three children and five grandchildren.

"It has been my great privilege to serve as head basketball coach at Carnegie Mellon. Words cannot express my thanks to the coaches and players that have helped me build this program over the past 35 years — I love you all!  The Carnegie Mellon community has given Kris and I a special environment to raise our family, and as our children have grown, so has the worldwide reach of Carnegie Mellon. It has been fun to witness that phenomenon,” Wingen said. “I came to Carnegie Mellon as a young head coach and now I leave as a ‘not-so-young’ retired head coach, but I am incredibly proud of the program that we have built.  I look forward to seeing where the program goes from here."

A national search for Wingen’s successor will begin in the coming days.