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What's this?Amanda Augustus, who won back-to-back NCAA doubles championships at Cal in the late '90s, was brought on to replace the legendary Jan Brogan this season. Augustus has kept the program at the top of collegiate tennis, guiding the Bears to a No. 8 national ranking heading into the NCAA Tournament. Cal hosts first- and second-round matches starting Friday at the Hellman Tennis Complex.
"She's done a really terrific job, from what I see," said Brogan, who retired at the end of last season after 29 years at Cal and still attends home matches. "I have every confidence that she'll do as well, if not better, than I've been able to do with the program."
If that's true, expect a national title in Berkeley soon. That's basically all that Brogan failed to accomplish during her time leading the Bears. She guided the Bears to 26 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, 19 top-10 finishes and six NCAA semifinals. Brogan also produced 61 All-Americans, including Augustus, who went on to play professionally for six years and rose to as high as No. 82 in the world in doubles.
"Most of us who know Jan well didn't think she was ever going to retire," Augustus said. "She's so passionate about the sport and means so much to the collegiate game. Really, it's an honor just to be asked. I just saw it as a tremendous opportunity and a dream come true for
After leaving the WTA tour, Augustus became the men's and women's tennis coach at Division III Whittier College in 2004. She stayed there for one year before becoming an assistant at Michigan. A year later, she was promoted to head coach and led the Wolverines to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and a No. 22 national ranking.
Augustus said she started thinking about coaching at Cal while she was a player but never thought it would happen at the age of 29.
"I think after I had been here maybe a year, I thought it would be great to come back someday and give back because my experience here as an undergrad was unbelievable," Augustus said. "I thought maybe someday, but I didn't think it was going to happen when I was 29. This is the spot for me, what I was always hoping for."
Brogan continued to coach Augustus for a few years while she was playing professionally, and the two have remained close over the years. But while the general culture of the program basically is the same, Augustus' day-to-day style has provided a substantial change for the players.
"The program is essentially the same -- the same goals, the same establishments," said senior Susie Babos, who won the 2006 NCAA singles championship. "But their personalities are very, very different. Jan was more hands-on where Amanda is more about independence. She wants to see how we can solve our own issues, or at least try to sort it out. You have to make an effort to get where she is and then once you get there, she carries you from there."
Brogan left Augustus in good hands. The Bears advanced to the NCAA semifinals last season and have five seniors on the roster. They also have a contingent of four singles players and one doubles team heading to the NCAA Tournament as individuals, led by talented freshman Marina Cossou.
"Obviously, the first big elusive thing is winning the team title," Augustus said. "That's the big goal for the program, especially with this team. Jan spent three years working with the seniors, so it also would be for her. That was something she worked tirelessly for."
Contact Jonathan Okanes at jokanes@bayareanewsgroup.com.
NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Cal Friday First round
