University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Jauregui Resigns As Volleyball Head Coach
Dec 04, 2017 | Women's Volleyball
Former Tigers standout coached her alma mater for 10 seasons.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – April Jauregui has resigned her position as head coach of the University of Memphis volleyball program, it was announced Monday. Jauregui completed her 10th season as the Tigers head coach Nov. 24.
James Onikeku, a Jauregui assistant, has been named the program's interim head coach. A national search to replace Jauregui is underway.
"I want to thank April for her years of service to the University of Memphis and our athletics program," said Memphis Director of Athletics Tom Bowen. "April was an exemplary student-athlete here and that was recognized when she was named the program's first Academic All-American her senior year.
"April then returned to Memphis first as an assistant and later as head coach of the volleyball program. In addition to the fond memories on the court, April helped develop the total student-athlete in her tenure as was evidenced by the many conference all-academic players she coached. April is forever a Memphis Tiger, and I speak for the entire coaching and administrative staff in wishing her and her family much success."
In her 10 seasons, Jauregui guided the Tigers to four winning campaigns and two 20-win ledgers. Her best season was in 2014 when Memphis went 23-11 overall and 13-7 in the American Athletic Conference. The Tigers finished fifth in the conference regular-season standing that season.
Jauregui was only the second head coach in program history that oversaw a Tigers' transition from one league to another. Memphis moved from Conference USA to The American in the summer of 2013. Former head coach Penny Lucas-White coached the program in both the Great Midwest Conference and Conference USA in the mid-1990s.
During her tenure, Jauregui coached one All-American and had five players named all-conference (C-USA/The American) a total of nine times. She also coached one all-region performer and two conference All-Freshman Team picks.
An all-around student-athlete during her playing days, Jauregui encouraged player success in the classroom, and the numbers prove it. Jauregui had 23 players earn conference All-Academic Team (C-USA/The American) accolades a total of 41 times. The program also had one CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree.
"It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to step down as the head volleyball coach at the University of Memphis," said Jauregui. "I have devoted over 17 years of my life to this university both as a student-athlete and coach. I want to thank Lynn Parkes for hiring me 10 years ago and giving me the opportunity to coach at my alma mater. I also want to thank Athletics Director Tom Bowen for being an amazing administrator and for his support during my tenure.
"While my heart will always bleed Tiger Blue, I am looking forward to the next step for me and my family. I know the program and players will do amazing things. I will miss them, and I wish them nothing but the best."
Prior to taking over as head coach, Jauregui served as an assistant for her alma mater from 2005-07. She also worked as an assistant at Ohio University and Lamar University before returning to the Bluff City.
From 1997-2000, the former April Harriman starred on the court for the Tigers. She ranks 21st all-time with 1,071 career kills (129 matches). One of five Tigers to record 30 kills in a match, Jauregui became the third to do so when she slammed down 30 kills in a win over cross-town foe Christian Brothers in 2000.
A true student-athlete, Jauregui excelled in the classroom as an eight-time Dean's List student. She was selected as the University of Memphis' top female student-athlete in 2000-01 when she earned the Elma Roane Award. She also was tabbed the University's Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2000-01.
A four-time recipient of the Conference USA Commissioner's Medal, Jauregui earned an honor that no other volleyball Tiger had received in program history to that point when she was tabbed a 2000 CoSIDA Academic All-American.
She graduated from the University of Memphis summa cum laude with degrees in communications and political science in 2001. She completed her master's studies in organizational communication at Ohio University in the spring of 2002.
James Onikeku, a Jauregui assistant, has been named the program's interim head coach. A national search to replace Jauregui is underway.
"I want to thank April for her years of service to the University of Memphis and our athletics program," said Memphis Director of Athletics Tom Bowen. "April was an exemplary student-athlete here and that was recognized when she was named the program's first Academic All-American her senior year.
"April then returned to Memphis first as an assistant and later as head coach of the volleyball program. In addition to the fond memories on the court, April helped develop the total student-athlete in her tenure as was evidenced by the many conference all-academic players she coached. April is forever a Memphis Tiger, and I speak for the entire coaching and administrative staff in wishing her and her family much success."
In her 10 seasons, Jauregui guided the Tigers to four winning campaigns and two 20-win ledgers. Her best season was in 2014 when Memphis went 23-11 overall and 13-7 in the American Athletic Conference. The Tigers finished fifth in the conference regular-season standing that season.
Jauregui was only the second head coach in program history that oversaw a Tigers' transition from one league to another. Memphis moved from Conference USA to The American in the summer of 2013. Former head coach Penny Lucas-White coached the program in both the Great Midwest Conference and Conference USA in the mid-1990s.
During her tenure, Jauregui coached one All-American and had five players named all-conference (C-USA/The American) a total of nine times. She also coached one all-region performer and two conference All-Freshman Team picks.
An all-around student-athlete during her playing days, Jauregui encouraged player success in the classroom, and the numbers prove it. Jauregui had 23 players earn conference All-Academic Team (C-USA/The American) accolades a total of 41 times. The program also had one CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree.
"It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to step down as the head volleyball coach at the University of Memphis," said Jauregui. "I have devoted over 17 years of my life to this university both as a student-athlete and coach. I want to thank Lynn Parkes for hiring me 10 years ago and giving me the opportunity to coach at my alma mater. I also want to thank Athletics Director Tom Bowen for being an amazing administrator and for his support during my tenure.
"While my heart will always bleed Tiger Blue, I am looking forward to the next step for me and my family. I know the program and players will do amazing things. I will miss them, and I wish them nothing but the best."
Prior to taking over as head coach, Jauregui served as an assistant for her alma mater from 2005-07. She also worked as an assistant at Ohio University and Lamar University before returning to the Bluff City.
From 1997-2000, the former April Harriman starred on the court for the Tigers. She ranks 21st all-time with 1,071 career kills (129 matches). One of five Tigers to record 30 kills in a match, Jauregui became the third to do so when she slammed down 30 kills in a win over cross-town foe Christian Brothers in 2000.
A true student-athlete, Jauregui excelled in the classroom as an eight-time Dean's List student. She was selected as the University of Memphis' top female student-athlete in 2000-01 when she earned the Elma Roane Award. She also was tabbed the University's Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2000-01.
A four-time recipient of the Conference USA Commissioner's Medal, Jauregui earned an honor that no other volleyball Tiger had received in program history to that point when she was tabbed a 2000 CoSIDA Academic All-American.
She graduated from the University of Memphis summa cum laude with degrees in communications and political science in 2001. She completed her master's studies in organizational communication at Ohio University in the spring of 2002.
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