UVA fires Agugua-Hamilton despite Sweet 16 run
Why it matters: Virginia's women's basketball program faces uncertainty after firing a coach who achieved its best NCAA tournament run in 24 years.
- Virginia fired Amaka Agugua-Hamilton as head coach of the women's basketball program Saturday, despite her leading the team to the Sweet 16.
- Agugua-Hamilton achieved a 70-58 overall record and guided the Cavaliers to become the first double-digit seed since 2022 and the first First Four team to reach the regional semifinals.
- The Cavaliers pulled off a major upset, defeating No. 2 seed Iowa in double overtime in the second round, before falling to TCU.
- South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, a Virginia alumna, expressed confusion and concern over the firing, stating she didn't know why the university parted ways with Agugua-Hamilton, who she believed had the team "on the right track."
Virginia has controversially fired women's basketball coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton despite her leading the Cavaliers to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2000, a run that included upsetting No. 2 seed Iowa. The decision has left many, including Virginia alumna and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, puzzled and concerned, as Staley noted Agugua-Hamilton had the team "on the right track."
