Angel Agu joined the Columbia volleyball program as an assistant coach in June of 2024.
Agu joins the Columbia staff from the University of Rhode Island, where she served as Head Coach for three years after being promoted from an assistant coach in 2021.
In three seasons at the helm of the Rams, Agu coached two A-10 All-Rookie Team selections, two Academic All-conference selections, and two Atlantic-10 Weekly Award winners. As an assistant coach, Agu helped the Rams reach the A-10 semifinals in the 2020-21 COVID-19-shortened season.
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something very special at Columbia, Agu said." "I want to thank Coach Santiago for trusting me to contribute to the culture he is building here. Columbia University is one of the most prestigious institutions in the country, and New York City is the mecca for competition, knowledge, and diversity. It is a place where talent meets opportunity. It is an absolute blessing to be able to represent the University, the City of New York, and the Ivy League. While getting to know Columbia, it was apparent how special this staff, these student-athletes, and this administration is, and I cannot wait to begin working with them. Roar Lion Roar"
Prior to Rhode Island, Agu spent the previous two seasons at Wisconsin as a volunteer assistant coach, where she helped lead the Badgers to the 2019 NCAA Division I National Championship match, after making the Elite 8 in 2018. During her two years in Madison, the Badgers collected eight AVCA All-America awards while combining to go 52-14 with a 33-7 record in Big Ten play. Additionally, during that two-year span, Wisconsin picked up 19 wins over nationally ranked teams and was 7-3 against top-5 programs.
Agu began her collegiate coaching career in the Atlantic 10, serving as a graduate assistant coach at La Salle. There, she helped lead the Explorers to the program's best single-season winning percentage in conference play since joining the A-10.
As a player, Agu had a successful five-year career at perennial A-10 power Dayton from 2011-15. The 6-2 middle blocker was a two-year team captain and four-time Atlantic 10 champion with the Flyers. She helped guide the team to four appearances in the NCAA tournament, where they advanced to the second round three times.
"As impressive as her playing and coaching results have been, they pale in comparison to Angel's ability to cultivate relationships, connect with people and tirelessly work to help all those around her be the best versions of themselves," Santiago continued. "We are elated for coach Angel, her family and the future of our program."
