Sean Pinkerton was the first women's basketball coach to post back-to-back winning seasons at St. Catherine. Photo by St. Catherine Sports Information

After leading the turnaround at St. Catherine University in Minnesota, Sean Pinkerton is headed back to Upstate New York to become the next head coach at Oswego State.

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Both schools announced the move on Monday afternoon.

"Coach Pinkerton has done tremendous work with our basketball program and we are sorry to see him leave," said St. Catherine Athletic Director Eric Stacey in the University's realease. "The team has made impressive progress under his leadership and the program has a strong foundation to build upon. I want to thank Sean for all he has done for St. Kate's and wish he and his family the best moving forward."

Pinkerton came to St. Catherine in 2012, taking over a program that went 1-24 in 2011-12. The Wildcats improved their in-conference and overall winning percentage each of the next four seasons, culminating in last year's 15-11 mark and the program's first trip to the MIAC tournament since 2009-10. The Wildcats lost to St. Benedict 53-50 in the MIAC tournament.

"I will always be thankful for everyone I encountered in my time here, especially my colleagues, Eric Stacey for his tremendous support and belief, Coach Kjar, Coach Peper and Coach Davis for everything they have done to help get St. Kate's basketball to where it is today," Pinkerton said in the release. "Thank you to all my players who I will miss more than I'm capable of expressing. It is their belief in us, their dedication and commitment that has made the past five years so special and will continue to make the future of St. Kate's basketball so bright." 

Before arriving in Minnesota, Pinkerton was the head coach for three seasons at Morrisville State in Upstate New York. He went 19-57 in three seasons with the Mustangs before going to St. Catherine where he went 45-81 in five seasons. Pinkerton graduated from Hamilton College in 2005.

Pinkerton replaces Tracy Bruno who went 107-151 in ten seasons at Oswego State.

The Lakers finished 9-16, 6-12 in the SUNYAC last season.