Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
News broke Saturday that Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton will not return to Virginia women’s basketball after serving as head coach for four seasons, according to Virginia Athletics.
The reasons behind Agugua-Hamilton’s dismissal have yet to be confirmed by Virginia Athletics. Virginia Athletics has not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
Junior guard Olivia McGhee and junior forward Sa’Myah Smith entered the transfer portal April 3 and April 4, respectively.
After a rollercoaster regular season, the 10-seed Cavaliers found unstoppable momentum in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, becoming the first team from the First Four to advance past the second round in NCAA women’s basketball history.
Under Agugua-Hamilton, Virginia women’s basketball underwent a massive transformation, rising from a five-win team in the 2021-22 season to its first Sweet 16 in 26 years. The Cavaliers improved to a 22-12 record in the 2025-26 season and broke an eight-season NCAA Tournament drought.
Agugua-Hamilton spent four years at Virginia, finishing with a 70-58 overall record and going 29-42 in ACC play. 2025-26 was the sole season the Cavaliers reached the NCAA Tournament in her tenure.
In Agugua-Hamilton’s first season in 2022-23, Virginia logged a 15-15 record, finishing tied for 13th in the ACC. Similar patterns emerged in 2023-24 and 2024-25, as the Cavaliers ended 10th in the conference both seasons.
Agugua-Hamilton was originally hired out of Missouri State, where she led the Lady Bears to two straight NCAA Tournament runs, including a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2020-21 season.
Virginia Athletics has not yet announced a replacement for Agugua-Hamilton, but the program will be in the market for a new head coach in the coming weeks.
“A national search will begin immediately,” Virginia Athletics said in a press release Saturday.
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