© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Tony Bennett Retiring as Virginia Cavaliers Basketball Coach, Effective Immediately
A report by the Field of 68's Jeff Goodman shocked the college basketball world Thursday afternoon. A source told Goodman that Tony Bennett would retire as the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball coach effective immediately.
Shortly after Goodman broke the story, the Virginia men's basketball program confirmed the report via its account on X, formerly Twitter: "BREAKING: Tony Bennett to announce his immediate retirement in a press conference on Friday at 11 a.m."
"Bennett's retirement is not health-related," CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported. "He still wants to be involved in college athletics and wants to work through solutions to ease some of the issues that led him to his retirement decision."
Virginia Cavaliers Basketball Head Coach Tony Bennett Retires, Ron Sanchez Reportedly to be Named Interim
Feb 22, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) is encouraged by Cavaliers guard Justin Anderson (R) while leaving the court with assistant coaches Ron Sanchez (L) and Richie McKay (M-R) after being injured against the Florida State Seminoles in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Goodman revealed that "it looks like Ron Sanchez will be the interim" head coach following Bennett's sudden departure. Before a recent head coaching stint, Sanchez spent 15 consecutive seasons coaching alongside Bennett, including nine at Virginia.
Sanchez returned to Charlottesville last summer after spending five seasons as the head coach of the Charlotte 49ers of Conference USA. He compiled a 72-28 record as a head coach and capped off his final season in Charlotte by winning the 2023 College Basketball Invitational.
UVA is slated to begin its season on November 6th, in less than three weeks, with a non-conference game against the Campbell Fighting Camels.
Bennett did appear at the ACC men's basketball media day last week with two player representatives from his team. The NCAA March Madness national championship-winning head coach did not mention a potential retirement during his remarks at the podium.
Tony Bennett Finishes Long Career by Passing the Torch, Like His Father
Nov 6, 2018; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Former Wisconsin head basketball coach Dick Bennett, father of Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett (not pictured), looks on from the stands during the Cavaliers' game against the Towson Tigers in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Tony Bennett has been around basketball his entire life. Born and raised in central Wisconsin, the two-time Naismith College Coach of the Year played college basketball at Wisconsin-Green Bay under the tutelage of his father, Dick Bennett.
Bennett's collegiate coaching career began in 1999 as an assistant under his father and Bo Ryan with the Wisconsin Badgers. He then became an assistant, once again under his father, with the Washington State Cougars in 2003. After his father's retirement in 2006, he was ultimately elevated to the head coaching position in Pullman.
When Tony Bennett became the head coach, Sanchez was promoted to assistant coach at Washington State. He had previously served as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Cougars under Dick Bennett.
The younger Bennett spent three seasons as the head coach at Washington State before leading Virginia's program for 15 seasons.
While at Virginia, Bennett led the Hoosiers to two ACC tournament titles, six first-place finishes in the conference regular season standings, and one national championship—the only NCAA tournament championship in UVA's program history.
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