Pinder Nijjar

Coach in Attendance

Associate head coach Pinder Nijjar enters his eighth season working on the USF women's soccer staff and his fifth serving as the program's associate head coach.

Nijjar joined the women's soccer coaching staff as a Volunteer Assistant in December, 2015. Head coach Jim Millinder elevated Nijjar to the top Assistant and Recruiting Coordinator in June 2018.

At USF, he works specifically with the forwards and midfielders. During his time on the Hilltop the Dons went from 195th in the nation in scoring in 2017 to 79th in 2018 and to 46th last season (2019). He oversaw three of the most successful goal scorers in USF history, including Samantha Jehnings (second all-time), Sonja Giraud (seventh) and Miciah Madison (10th). In 2019, the Dons had two active players in the top-10 in goals scored for the first time since 1994.

In 2019, the Dons had three players with seven or more goals on the year (Ashley Humphrey 7, Jehnings 11, and Madison 9). The last time that happened was in 1994 when Jannik Abel (13 goals), Kelli Bryant (13 goals) and Erin Killough (seven goals) accomplished the feat.
Madison and Jehnings also became two of the most decorated players in USF history, earning all-conference honors and all-region honors during Nijjar’s watch. Giraud went on and played in the German Bundesliga after her 4 year career on The Hilltop.

Whilst Nijjar has served as the Recruiting Coordinator for USF, the last two seasons have seen USF bring three players who were named to the West Coast Conference All-Freshmen Team (Keely Roy, 2019 – Karley Weeks, Catherine Hill, 2018).

Off the field, Nijjar also oversees match film analysis with the team and also all aspects of individual player performance analysis. Using multiple match clipping technology tools to evaluate the clips of their performance and also using GPS vests and heart rate monitors to provide specific and detailed performance feedback.

Nijjar also remains active in the youth game serving as a USYS West Region Olympic Program Staff Coach and Scout since April 2016. Along with this, since Jan 2016, he has had a role as a Coach for the San Francisco Elite Academy who work with the top youth players in the city of San Francisco and surrounding areas. Nijjar also worked with the San Francisco City FC, a men’s Semi-Professional team in the USL League 2 in 2018.

Previously, from December 2011 - February 2016 Nijjar was on the staff of the Southern California Olympic Development Program. During his time, he won two US Youth Soccer National Championships and five US Youth Soccer Regional Championships.

He also previously served as an Assistant Coach on the men's side at Caltech from March 2014 to December 2015. He also had a brief stint as the Volunteer Assistant with the women at Marymount California University in Palos Verdes. Nijjar’s first Coaching stint dates back to May 2011 and spending six years on the Fram Soccer Club staff, learning his trade as a youth club coach and eventually becoming the Girls Youth Director.

Nijjar played at the University of Oklahoma, Science and Arts, graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor’s in kinesiology. He helped USAO earn a No. 5 national NAIA ranking while capturing a Sooner Athletic Conference title and finishing as a regional tournament runner-up.

He also played for the Ventura County Fusion and the Doxa Italia after his college career was over. During his time in England, Nijjar was a player in the English Football league playing for Tamworth FC in the EFL National League.

Born and raised in Nottingham, England - Nijjar and his wife Vidya currently reside in the city of San Francisco.