Pinder Nijjar enters his first season with Stanford women's soccer in 2026.
Nijjar arrives on The Farm after serving two seasons as head coach at San Francisco. He began his tenure at USF serving as a volunteer assistant in December 2015, was promoted to assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in June 2018, and was named associate head coach prior to the 2021 campaign. Nijjar took over at the helm of the program in 2024 following the retirement of longtime USF head coach Jim Millinder.
Most recently, Nijjar saw four of his players earn All-West Coast Conference honors during the 2025 season – led by second-team selection Lindsey Chau. Kaitlyn Sasadeusz was named honorable mention, while Alicia Osegueda and Tyra Bengtsson-Stenseth earned spots on the All-Freshman team. While on the Hilltop, Nijjar coached three of the most prolific scorers in USF history in Samantha Jehnings, Sonja Giraud and Miciah Madison. Jehnings and Madison earned all-conference and all-region honors during his tenure, while Giraud went on to play in the German Bundesliga.
Nijjar began his coaching career in 2011 with Fram Soccer Club, where he spent six years and achieved the role of Girls Youth Director. From 2011 to 2016, Nijjar was on staff with the Southern California Olympic Development Program, winning two US Youth Soccer National Championships and five Regional Championships. Among the list of talented players that he helped develop on the 2016 championship team was Stanford great Catarina Macario.
An assistant coach for Caltech men’s soccer in 2014 and 2015, Nijjar has served as a USYS West Region Olympic Program Staff Coach and Scout since April 2016. He has also coached at the San Francisco Elite Academy since January 2016, working with top youth talent in the Bay Area, and coached with the men’s semi-professional team San Francisco City FC in USL League 2 in 2018.
Born and raised in Nottingham, England, Pinder played collegiately for University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma where he helped the Drovers achieve the number five slot in the NAIA’s national ranking, while also capturing a Sooner Athletic Conference title and finishing as the runner-up in a regional tournament. Graduating in 2009 with a degree in kinesiology, Nijjar then headed for California, where he played for the Ventura County Fusion in the United Soccer League and Doxa Italia of the LA Premier League. During his time in England, Nijjar suited up for Tamworth FC in the English Football League.
Nijjar currently lives in Pleasant Hill with his wife, Vidya, and two children, Zia and Darshan.