Michigan State University women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced Thursday that Amaka `Mox’ Agugua (Uh-mah-kuh Uh-goo-gwa) has been promoted to Associate Head Coach, after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach on her staff.
“I’m excited to announce that Amaka Agugua has been promoted to associate head coach. She has a tremendous passion for teaching and mentoring our players both on and off the court. Amaka is a tireless worker, unbelievably organized, has very good knowledge of the game along with phenomenal leadership skills that have positively impacted our program. We are fortunate to have her part of our program and thrilled to announce her promotion,” Merchant said.
At Michigan State, Agugua has assisted with the Spartan post players, while also acting as a key component in recruiting. She is also a vital part of opponent scouting, working alongside Merchant and assistant coaches NcKell Copeland and Mark Simons.
“I am extremely grateful and ecstatic about the opportunity to be an associate head coach for one of the best programs in the country. I whole heartedly thank Suzy Merchant, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Shelley Appelbaum and Athletic Director Mark Hollis for believing and investing in me,” Agugua said. “I am excited about what the future holds for this MSU women’s basketball program! I will continue to help develop the players on and off the court, as well as help reiterate and enforce Coach Merchant’s overall philosophy and vision for the program.”
With the Spartans, Agugua has been crucial in the development of post players like Becca Mills, who became the 22nd 1,000-point scorer in Michigan State women’s basketball history during the 2014-15 season. Seven players have earned All-Big Ten honors during Agugua’s tenure, including Aerial Powers earning first-team honors last season. She has been a big part of Powers’ development into one of the most versatile players in the Big Ten, including setting the MSU record for single-season scoring with 678 points last season.
Agugua came to MSU from Old Dominion University after two seasons on the Monarchs’ staff. At ODU, her primary responsibility was the program’s recruiting coordinator, but in addition she was integral in the team’s opponent scouting, practice and game preparation, and student-athlete development. The Monarchs improved from 11-21 to 19-12 and a WNIT berth in her two seasons, a turnaround that was guided by the recruiting classes that Agugua brought in to Norfolk.
Prior to ODU, Agugua coached at Indiana University for two seasons (2009-11) as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, and at Virginia Commonwealth University for three years, as a graduate assistant (2006-07) and assistant coach (2007-09).
Agugua earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from Hofstra in 2005 and received her master’s degree in sport leadership and administration through VCU’s SportsCenter in 2007.
http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/061115aaa.html
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