Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, the powerhouse known universally as “Coach Mox,” just reached a settlement with the University of Virginia, putting a cap on her seriously abrupt firing from April 5. It happened only a week after she coached the Cavaliers women’s hoops squad straight into the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, a level they hadn’t touched since 2000.
The Sudden Exit and a Massive Payday
UVA’s decision to cut ties with Coach Mox came without any public explanation at the time. USA TODAY Sports previously reported an internal investigation into allegations of staff mistreatment within the program, according to four people with knowledge of the situation. That sudden termination meant Virginia was on the hook for a pretty hefty buyout, as laid out in her contract that was supposed to run through the 2027-28 season. We’re talking her entire remaining base salary, a whopping 80% of supplemental compensation, 80% of royalties, plus any bonuses she’d already earned. All things considered, that buyout was staring Virginia down at about **$1.3 million**. The contract even gave UVA the option to cut a single lump sum check, which would also release Coach Mox from any obligation to hunt for another gig immediately.
Coach Mox Breaks Her Silence, Drops a Bomb
Now, the actual settlement details? Still under wraps. But Coach Mox herself, after the Associated Press spilled the beans about a settlement, dropped her own statement on Instagram. Her representatives and a Virginia spokesperson both declined to comment when asked. On Monday, July 27, she wrote, “The recent resolution of this matter allows everyone to move forward, and I welcome that opportunity.” She sounded incredibly proud of her career, grateful for every player and coach, and still super passionate about coaching young people. But then, the real shocker: in the caption of that same Instagram post, she revealed her “silence was by design” and that she’s “so excited to take a year off from coaching.” She’s hitting the pause button for a full season.
A Wild Ride, a Sabbatical, and What’s Next
Across her four years leading the Cavaliers, Coach Mox built a 70-58 overall record, though ACC play was tougher at 29-42. This past season, though? It was a wild one! Virginia made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018, snagging one of the last four spots in the field. They crushed Arizona State in the First Four, then pulled off stunning upsets against higher-seeded Georgia and Iowa to claw their way to the Sweet 16. That made them the first double-digit seed to hit the regional semifinals in the Women’s NCAA Tournament since 2022. Before her time at UVA, she was incredible at Missouri State, with a 74-15 record and two March Madness trips. Virginia wasted no time, hiring Richmond coach Aaron Roussell just three days after her firing. So, for Coach Mox, it’s a year-long sabbatical, a chance to reset, and then you know she’ll be back, ready to make a mark on the game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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