April Jauregui has resigned after 10 seasons as the head coach of the University of Memphis volleyball program. Assistant James Onikeku has been named the interim head coach while a “national search” is underway.
“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.”
Jauregui took over as head coach in 2008 after 3 years as an assistant. She replaced her former boss, Carrie Yerty, who remains the longest-tenured and all-time winningest coach in program history.
Jauregui is a Memphis alumni, where as April Harriman she played from 1997-2000 and was named an Academic All-American. She still ranks 19th in program history with 1,071 career kills. Memphis says she graduated summa cum laude, meaning she had at least a 3.80 GPA.
In 2017, the team finished 10-22 overall, including a 3-17 record that left them 11th out of 12 teams in the AAC. In total Jauregui finished with a 152-167 record at Memphis, which included 5 years in Conference USA and 5 years in the American. Her run included 4 winning records, and another .500 season in 2010. The team’s 2017 result was the team’s worst since her 2nd year leading the team, in 2009, where they finished 7-24.
The Tigers had no players named to the All-Conference teams in 2017, but during Jauregui’s tenure, they did have 5 players named to All-Conference teams a total of 9 times. Altrese Hawkins was named an AVCA Honorable Mentionl All-American in 2010 and 2011.
“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.”
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