Virginia Dismisses Women's Basketball Coach After Sweet 16 Run

UVA to begin national search after parting ways with Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:54am

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The University of Virginia has announced that women's basketball head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton will not return next season, just one week after leading the Cavaliers to their first Sweet 16 appearance in more than two decades. Virginia finished eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings this season.

Why it matters

Agugua-Hamilton's dismissal comes as a surprise given the team's recent tournament success, raising questions about the program's direction and expectations from the university's athletics department.

The details

Agugua-Hamilton spent four seasons as the head coach of the Virginia women's basketball team, compiling a 70-58 overall record and a 29-42 mark in ACC play. Her tenure ended abruptly following a 79-69 loss to TCU in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

  • Agugua-Hamilton led Virginia to the Sweet 16 in 2026.
  • Virginia finished eighth in the ACC standings this past season.

The players

Amaka Agugua-Hamilton

The former head coach of the University of Virginia women's basketball team, who was dismissed after four seasons despite leading the team to its first Sweet 16 appearance in over 20 years.

University of Virginia Athletics

The athletics department at the University of Virginia, which announced the decision to part ways with women's basketball head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

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What’s next

Virginia will begin a national search for a new women's basketball head coach.

The takeaway

Agugua-Hamilton's dismissal, despite her recent tournament success, suggests the University of Virginia has high expectations for its women's basketball program and is willing to make changes to pursue those goals.