Cal Women’s Tennis Legend Amanda Augustus Announces Retirement
BERKELEY, CA – Amanda Augustus, who guided the California Golden Bears women’s tennis program for 18 seasons and previously starred as a student-athlete for the university, announced her retirement Tuesday, as revealed by Co-Directors of Athletics Jay Larson and Jenny Simon-O’Neill.
Augustus leaves a remarkable legacy, having led Cal to NCAA team championship appearances in 17 of her 18 years as head coach.Her tenure was marked by consistent success, including two Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards and the prestigious ITA national Coach of the Year honor in 2016. That year, the Bears held the No.1 national ranking for a remarkable 10 consecutive weeks and secured the ITA National Indoor Championship title.
“We would like to thank Amanda for her contributions to Cal both as a student-athlete and coach,” larson and O’Neill said in a joint statement. “Her student-athletes continually performed well on and off the court, competing for championships with a 100% graduation success rate. We wish Amanda well in the future.”
Under Augustus’s leadership, the Golden Bears claimed back-to-back Pac-12 championships in 2021 and 2022 and reached the NCAA team finals in both 2008 and 2009. Notably, she was one of only three active coaches nationwide to have won an NCAA championship as both a player and a coach.
During her time at Cal, augustus coached three doubles teams and two singles players to the NCAA finals, highlighted by Jana juricova’s singles championship in 2011 and the doubles triumph of Mari Andersson and Juricova in 2009. she mentored a total of 30 All-Americans.
Augustus’s connection to Cal tennis runs deep. As a student-athlete, she achieved legendary status, winning consecutive NCAA doubles championships with partner Amy Jensen in 1998 and 1999, and earning six All-American honors. She is a member of the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame.
“Committing my collegiate and most of my professional career to Cal Tennis has been the honor of a lifetime,” Augustus said. “Winning multiple national championships – both as a player and as a coach for UC Berkeley – will always remain close to my heart.These moments, and the unbelievable memories created alongside every coach and athlete I’ve had the privilege to work with, will be the first I reflect on when I look back on my career with gratitude.”
Augustus shared that her decision was influenced by the recent loss of her mother after a ten-year battle with brain cancer. “After recently losing my mother to a brave 10-year battle with brain cancer, I’ve come to understand more deeply how short and precious life truly is. With that perspective, I’ve made the decision to retire from collegiate coaching. My next chapter will be spent as the head coach of my family - devoting my energy, time and love to those closest to me.Thank you to everyone who helped make my Hall of Fame career possible. I am forever grateful.”
Kris Kwinta, the Peter Wright Director of Men’s Tennis, will serve as the interim head coach for the women’s program while continuing his duties with the men’s team. Cal Athletics will immediatly begin a national search for Augustus’s successor.
