Virginia fires women's coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton despite Sweet 16 trip
Ehsan KassimVirginia women's basketball is moving on from Amaka Agugua-Hamilton after four seasons with the program.
The university announced the staffing change in a press release on Saturday, April 4, following a 22-12 record during the 2025-26 season. The Cavaliers finished the season with an 11-7 record in ACC play.
"A national search will begin immediately," the university press release stated.
In four seasons, Agugua-Hamilton finished with a 70-58 record, going 29-42 in the ACC. USA TODAY Sports listed Virginia as one of six schools under the most pressure in the NCAA Tournament on March 16, due to the decision on Agugua-Hamilton's future.
Despite the heavy pressure, Virginia snuck into the 68-team field as a play-in No. 10 seed. The Cavaliers defeated Arizona State (67-65), then beat No. 7 Georgia (82-73, OT) and No. 2 Iowa (83-75, 2 OT), as one of the biggest surprises in the NCAA Tournament this season.
Virginia lost 79-69 to No. 3 seed TCU in the Sweet 16, but the first Sweet 16 for the program since 2000 and an endorsement from South Carolina coach Dawn Staley was not enough to save Agugua-Hamilton's job.
"And she just told me that they did part ways. I don’t know why. She said we’ll talk, we’ll talk soon," Staley said Saturday at the Final Four.
Amaka Agugua-Hamilton coaching record
Here's a look at Agugua-Hamilton's record as a collegiate coach:
- Missouri State (2019-20): 26-4, 16-2 MVC
- Missouri State (2020-21): 23-3, 16-0 MVC
- Missouri State (2021-22): 25-8, 14-4 MVC
- Virginia (2022-23): 15-15, 4-14 ACC
- Virginia (2023-24): 16-16, 7-11 ACC
- Virginia (2024-25): 17-15, 10-8 ACC
- Virginia (2025-26): 22-12, 11-7 ACC