Miguel confirmed the news to ABS-CBN News on Wednesday afternoon that he will no longer take the lead of the Lady Bulldogs’ campaign once the UAAP kicks off.

“They’ve been asking me to reconsider my decision, but it was final on my part,” he explained.

The coach guided NU to a promising 2-0 start in UAAP Season 82, which was forcefully shelved because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miguel took over the head coach post from Babes Castillo the previous season and led the NU women’s volleyball team to a 4-10 win-loss record in Season 81.

Taking the position as the Lady Bulldog’s head coach is Karl Dimaculangan, who moved out to his post at University of the East (UE) to take over the NU women’s volleyball program.

The former head coach expressed his gladness that Dimaculangan is stepping in his place.

“I and the sports office have not tackled that matter naman about Coach Karl as my replacement after I finalized my decision, (but) I’m very much happy that he’s onboard,” he said.

Dimaculangan, who was a standout from University of Santo Tomas in his collegiate days, mentored the Lady Warriors to a 3-11 slate in Season 81, his first full season at the helm. UE had a 0-2 record in Season 82 before the pandemic forced a stop to the season.

The new head coach will be mentoring a promising NU women’s volleyball squad that highlights several top recruits, including Ivy Lacsina, Gel Luceno, Cess Robles, setter Joyme Cagande, and libero Jennifer Nierva.