Pinnola joined the Pioneers volleyball program in August of 2018 as an assistant and has since assumed the role of Associate Head Coach for the past three seasons. Over the last three years, UW-Platteville boasts a record of 71-24, highlighted by a 27-7 record in 2024 that saw the Pioneers advance to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history.
Pinnola has helped several student-athletes earn recognition over the past couple of seasons for the Pioneers, including two-time All-American Emma Carlson and WIAC Newcomer of the Yeaer and All-American Kierney McDonald, in addition to several All-WIAC selections.
Pinnola joined the Pioneers after serving as the graduate assistant at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa from 2015-16. He assisted head coach April Elsbernd in leading the Spartan's volleyball program through two of the best seasons in the last decade. In addition to coaching, Pinnola instructed as an adjunct professor at Dubuque while teaching Volleyball Coaching Methods.
Outside of collegiate volleyball, Pinnola enjoys offering volleyball opportunities to the Dubuque area's youth. He served as one of three directors for Tri-State Performance VBC from 2016-18. The club averaged 13 teams with 100 players and 25 coaches. Prior to Tri-State Performance, Pinnola coached a 12U team in Dubuque from 2015-16 and led the 14U boys team of Southport VBC in Kenosha, Wisconsin to a USAV 15th in the nation finish. Prior to that, Pinnola coached two seasons at Lincoln Middle School in Kenosha.
Pinnola started his coaching career at Bradford High School in Kenosha while coaching the boy's volleyball team from 2010-14. During that time, he coached the junior varsity team for three years and the varsity team for two years. In his second season, he led the team to the program's first number one seed in the playoffs.
A graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, Pinnola received his BA in Social Sciences and Education in 2013. He went on to complete his MBA at University of Dubuque in 2017. Pinnola lives in Platteville with his wife Ellen and his daugther Clara.
