Welcomed by her new players, joined by some of her past players and surrounded by new and old friends, Agnus Berenato was introduced as Kennesaw State’s women’s basketball coach on Thursday.
Berenato is formerly the coach at Georgia Tech, one of three programs that she has either built or rebuilt, which is one of the reasons there were so many friendly faces at Kennesaw State on Thursday.
Now, Berenato will get a chance to try to lift the Owls, who went 41-80 under previous Nitra Perry.
Berenato has a history of success, becoming the winningest coach in her 17 years at Georgia Tech before that mark was passed. Berenato took Pittsburgh to postseasons for the first time in its program’s history and also became its winningest coach.
She must be re-certified by the NCAA before she will begin recruiting. She is in the process of putting together her coaching staff.
Berenato took a few minutes to answer a few questions. Both have been paraphrased for brevity and clarity.
Q: What was attractive to you about Kennesaw State?
A: It’s an opportunity to come in and impact the student-athletes on the court and off the court was No. 1.
To hear and share in the vision of Dr. (Daniel) Papp and Vaughn Williams was important. At my age, you can pick and choose. Im excited to be on Dr. Papp’s team. I worked with him at Georgia Tech. He was great. Meeting Vaughn Williams, I felt inspired and I felt that I could make a difference.
Q: Describe the ways in which you can make a difference?
A: I think that my experience. I think that my resume shows that I have rebuilt several programs. I built the Rider program. I went into Georgia Tech, we had a good foundation, but I took it to the next level.
Dr. (Homer) Rice said that banner still hangs the highest from our national championship from the WNIT.
At Pitt, it was one of the most in-need programs in Division I. It had never been to the posteseason. We went to five postseasons, the Sweet 16, and had several All-Americans.
When I look at my students athletes across the country, I think I can have that impact at Kennesaw State.
Two weeks ago, the ACC had their legends brunch, Dr. Carla Eppel was there. She played for me at Georgia Tech.
She was only one on the dais who was a doctor.
Those things are impactful for me.
(Former Tech player) Danielle Donehew is president of the WBCA.
These are impact players who now are women who are very impactful. That’s how I can make a difference here at Kennesaw State.
Q: Compare the project ahead with what you inherited at your previous jobs?
A: The major thing is you have to have the attitude and belief that it can be done. We already have that. Fortunate enough at my other schools that they believed in me and their vision was the same as mine.
Vaughn believes Kennesaw State can be a major player. I believe we can be a major player.
We will be a major player in Cobb County and the community of Atlanta.
What’s important is you have the vision, the passion, and the ability to roll up your sleeves and get this done.
Q: When you were here before, did you pay much attention to Kennesaw State?
A: They were D2, they were a small school. I would come out to talk with Dr. Betty Siegel (KSU President Emeritus). I would bring my players and we would do clinics.
Did I pay attention to Kennesaw State? Absolutely not.
But I paid attention to Betty Siegel.
When we came out it was like the country. Now, it’s like a metropolis.
Q: What do you know about your players?
A: I know that I have 12 really super student-athletes, wonderful women. I met with them yesterday. Before I met with them, I spoke to all of them by phone.
They all came to the press conference. They are motivated and excited for a change.
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