One of the best college basketball coaches this century has decided to walk away. Despite being just weeks away from the beginning of the 2024-25 season, Virginia Basketball coach Tony Bennett has decided to retire, according to The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman.
“There is no health issue with Tony Bennett in his decision to retire, sources told @TheFieldOf68. There are likely other reasons, but the changing landscape of college basketball over the last couple years cannot be underestimated in his decision.”
Bennett is slated to hold a Press Conference on Friday at 11 a.m.
Tony Bennett Set To Retire, What Does That Mean For Virginia Basketball, And Who Likely Will Be His Immediate Replacement?
This is a stunning turn of events for UVA basketball, especially if there are no real health issues. Bennett, 55, signed a contract extension at the end of June that would have kept him at the helm of the Cavalier program through at least 2030. He was also at the ACC preseason media days last week.
“I love UVA, and it has always been a special place for me and my family, Bennett said at the time of the extension. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Carla Williams and Jim Ryan and to represent the University of Virginia. My staff and I look forward to adapting to the new landscape of college athletics. We will continue to build one of the best basketball programs on and off the court without compromising the values of our university. Go Hoos!”
Virginia, picked to finish fifth in the ACC, opens the season on Nov. 6 at home against Campbell. Virginia then hosts Coppin State (Nov. 11) before facing Villanova in a Hall of Fame Series game on Nov. 15. The Cavaliers will also participate in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship (Nov. 21-22).
Tony Bennett’s Career With Virginia
The 2024-25 season would be Bennett’s 16th in Charlottesville and 19th overall as a head coach. After spending three seasons at Washington State, Bennett came to Virginia, leading the Cougars to a 69-33 record and two NCAA Tournament berths.
While Bennett had a reputation as a defensive coach before landing at Virginia, he became one of the top coaches in the game with the Cavaliers. Bennett led the Cavaliers to 14 consecutive winning seasons, including winning 20+ victories 12 times and at least 30 wins four times.
Bennett posted a 364-136 record with the Hoos, including one national title (2019), and led the Cavaliers to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances (13-9). He also guided the Cavaliers to eight conference titles (six regular season and two tournament) while garnering numerous Coach of the Year honors, including twice being named Naismith College Coach of the Year and three times being awarded the Henry Iba Award.
“Tony Bennett is, first and foremost, a tremendous person who is also one of the most accomplished coaches in the storied history of ACC Basketball,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said in a press release. “He is a fierce competitor but always leads with integrity, class, and unwavering values. He is a legend who we will deeply miss having on the sidelines as well as his daily impact in the league, the sport and college athletics. We are incredibly thankful for all he did in making college basketball better with his steadfast dedication and commitment to the game. We wish Tony, his wife Laurel, and their entire family all the best in this next chapter.”
What’s Next For UVa Basketball
Virginia is set to return eight players, including two starters, from its 2023-24 season squad, which went 23-11 and 13-7 in ACC play. Colorado State eliminated the Cavaliers in an NCAA First Four Tournament game.
Junior guard Isaac McKneeley was second on the team in scoring last season, and 6-6 junior wing Andrew Rohde are the top returnees. Bennett also brought in seven newcomers, with 6-7 senior guard Jalen Warley leading five transfers.
However, we will see if any player bolts the NCAA, as the UVa players have a 30-day window to transfer. NCAA rules “allow athletes on a team with a coaching change to enter the portal the day after the change. In this case, Virginia athletes can enter starting Friday. According to the NCAA, an athlete who transfers after enrolling at a school cannot transfer during that same year and compete for a new school. Grad students could transfer if they don’t play in any games this fall and be eligible in the spring.”
So, who will take over the reins for Virginia?
Virginia has a few in-house options to replace Bennett, at least on an interim basis. The Cavaliers’ co-associate head coaches, Ron Sanchez and Jason Williford, immediately come to mind as leading candidates. Assistant coach Brad Soderberg also deserves consideration.
Sanchez returned to Virginia last summer after spending five years as head coach at UNC Charlotte. With Charlotte, Sanchez went 72-78, leading the 49ers to three winning campaigns. Charlotte’s 22 victories in Sanchez’s final season were the program’s most since 2000-01.
Williford has been with Bennett at Virginia since Day 1, spending the last seven seasons as Associate head coach. While Williford played at Virginia and has 23 seasons as an assistant, he has never been a college head coach.
Soderberg is in his 10th season at Virginia. Soderberg has been an assistant in all but three seasons with the Cavaliers, serving as director of scouting for three seasons. He also has head coaching experience, compiling a 338-204 career record in 19 seasons as a collegiate head coach.
Current head coaches Richie McKay (Liberty), who has ties to UVa, Ryan Odom (VCU), and Bucky McMillan (Sanford) have also been mentioned as possible candidates. However, none of the three seem like logical choices as the season is about to start.
According to Goodman and several other sources, Sanchez is expected to be the choice to replace Bennett tomorrow on an interim basis.
“Sources tell The Hoop Herald that Tony Bennett is Healthy and that the Interim Head Coach for the 2024-2025 Season will be current Associate HC Ron Sanchez.”
