KENNESAW, Ga. – On Sept. 28, 2019, Kennesaw State women's basketball head coach Agnus Berenato announced she was starting her battle with Breast Cancer, and now the 33-year coaching veteran is taking a leave of absence to continue her fight after a recent surgery.
 
"I am very confident in my doctors, surgeons and support team," said Berenato who had successful surgery on Oct. 1 and is now home recovering. "I have been with Dr. Rhonda Wachsmuth and the Georgia Breast Care group for two years and I have great faith in her and her team. Dr. Theresa Wang was also on my surgical team and she was terrific." 
 
Now in her fifth season with the Owls, Associate Head Coach Khadija Head will take over as Interim Head Coach and lead Kennesaw State into the 2020-21 season.
 
"The team is in great hands with Coach Head," said Berenato. "We have been together since I arrived at KSU and she also worked with me at Pittsburgh. Khadija is well informed, dynamic and understands every phase of the coaching world. Coach K was in charge when I had my first two cancer surgeries and the team responded extremely well to her. She is an exceptional coach, has great drive and is a leader on and off the court."
 
Head recruited and helped coach three consecutive ASUN Freshman of the Year honorees as she joined Berenato and started the rebuilding process at Kennesaw State prior to the 2016-17 season.
 
"Over the last four seasons, it has been a privilege to stand in Coach Berenato's shadow and it is an honor to occupy those same footprints in her absence," said Coach Head. "Coach Berenato is the cornerstone of Kennesaw State women's basketball and we will stand in stride with her as she overcomes yet another bout with cancer. A familiar opponent defeated once who will undoubtedly be defeated once again."
 
Berenato plans to follow her team in the coming months, before returning to the program in the spring of 2021 for what will be her 34th season as a head coach. During her career that has featured stops at Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and now Kennesaw State, Berenato has accumulated 483 victories and most recently was awarded the WBCA Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award at the 2019 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four.
 
"I have a close-knit group of people supporting me, including my family and the team," said Berenato. "I feel so much love from all my former student-athletes, coaches and administrators that I know I will be healed in no time. My family is always by my side and will be with me every step of my journey. They are the best care takers one could ask for."
 
The Kennesaw State women's basketball team opens the 2020-21 season in November and begins ASUN Conference play on Jan. 2 at FGCU.
 
For more information on Kennesaw State athletics, follow @KSUOwlNation on Twitter or like Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook and Instagram.

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video