Charles Agumagu is in his fifth season with the Coppin State University men’s basketball program. The 2021-22 campaign will be his fourth as an Assistant Coach after previously serving as the Director of Basketball Operations.
Agumagu is involved in every aspect of the Eagles’ program, including recruiting, player development, and on-court teaching. He is also responsible for community engagement, scheduling of competition, film exchange, travel arrangements, administrative duties, the team's equipment needs, as well as overseeing the student assistants.
This past season, Coppin won its first MEAC regular season title since the 2003-04 campaign by recording an 8-4 record in conference play. It was also the first time in nearly a decade that the Eagles had a winning record in the MEAC. Agumagu played a huge role in the development and success of Anthony Tarke, DeJuan Clayton, Koby Thomas, Nendah Tarke, and Kenan Sarvan. Anthony Tarke won both the MEAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year award and was named a CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major All-American and Defensive All-American. Both Anthony Tarke and Clayton were named to the 2021 MEAC First Team. Nendah Tarke was named the 2021 MEAC Rookie of the Year while also receiving 3rd Team All-MEAC and All-Rookie Team honors. Koby Thomas was honored as a Third Team All-MEAC performer. Kenan Sarvan was also an All-Rookie team member.
With Agumagu’s assistance, Coppin State University men’s basketball program made immense strides during the 2019-20 season. The Eagles won a total of 11 games which included four non-conference wins which included road wins against Loyola-Chicago, James Madison, East Carolina, and an overtime home victory against Cornell. The Eagles went on a three-game winning streak to end conference play with a 7-9 record. Coppin State earned the 6th seed in the Mid-Eastern American Conference (MEAC) Tournament that was cancelled due to the public threat of Covid-19. With the help of Agumagu’s tutelage, Clayton and Brendan Medley-Bacon received All-Conference accolades.
The 2018-2019 collegiate basketball season for the Eagles was one of resurgence with seven victories, including a first-round victory in the MEAC Tournament against Morgan State to complete a three-game sweep of the crosstown rival. The seven conference wins were the most since the 2010-11 season. The Eagles’ victories included a win at North Carolina Central University for the first time 2008. Agumagu also assisted in the growth and development of redshirt sophomore point guard, Clayton & freshman wing, Justin Steers, both whom were All-Conference honorees.
In his first season at Coppin State (2017-18), as Director of Basketball Operations, Agumagu assisted in the growth and development of All-Conference player Lamar Morgan, who is currently playing professional basketball in Portugal.
Agumagu came to West Baltimore from St. Thomas University, an NAIA school in Miami Gardens, Florida. In his first year of coaching, Agumagu was the lead assistant for Head Coach Patrick Gayle. Agumagu assisted the Bobcats men’s basketball program to a 20-9 overall record, as well as multiple Top 25 ranks, including a ranking as high as fourth in 2016-17 with wins against NCAA D-II Nova Southeastern (2) and eventual NAIA National Champions, Union College. He helped implement offensive sets, defensive principles, analyze and breakdown of film, mentor, mediate, motivate, and mold student-athletes, including NAIA All-Americans Michael Walker III and Raheem Bowman.
Agumagu played his collegiate basketball career at Barry University, an NCAA D-II program in Miami Shores, Fla., under Head Coach George “Butch” Estes. As an emotional, spiritual, and vocal leader, Agumagu helped the Buccaneers win a school record 26 games, a Sunshine State Conference regular season championship, the program’s first Regional Championship, as well as an Elite Eight berth for the first time in program history. In his three years with the Buccaneers, Agumagu had a hand in 70 wins and a plethora of AP Top 25 rankings. He was also named the Director of Athletics Award winner in both the 2014-15 & 2015-16 seasons.
A graduate of North Miami Beach Senior High School in North Miami Beach, Fla., Agumagu earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management in 2015 from Barry University. He is a native of Nigeria and moved to Miami with his mother, Grace, at the age of three. He has two younger siblings, Crystal (sister) and Ikechi (brother).
