Tony Bennett, the former men’s basketball coach at the University of Virginia, officially announced his retirement on Friday, citing the “current environment” in college sports as a significant factor in his decision. During his retirement press conference, Bennett expressed that he realized he was no longer the right coach to lead the program, stating, “If you’re going to do it, you gotta be all-in. If you do it halfhearted, it’s not fair to the university and those young men.”
At 55 years old, Bennett has often voiced concerns regarding the direction of college athletics, particularly regarding the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. He acknowledged that while he believes student-athletes should receive compensation, the overall health of college sports is not good. “It’s not going to go back. I think I was equipped to do the job here the old way,” he explained.
Bennett mentioned that the evolving landscape of college sports appears to be shifting towards a more professional model, suggesting that collective bargaining, restrictions on salary pools, transfer regulations, and limitations on agent involvement are necessary changes. He expressed worry about the mental health of student-athletes amid these transformations.
He originally contemplated stepping down at the end of the 2023-24 season, but after a weekend trip during the university’s fall break, he came to the conclusion that he could no longer continue in his role. “It’s not fair to these guys and to this institution that I love so much to continue on when you know you’re not the right guy for the job,” Bennett said.
Ron Sanchez, the associate head coach, will take over the program for the upcoming season. Sanchez has a history with Bennett, having previously served on his staff from 2009 to 2018 before coaching Charlotte for five seasons.
Over his 15 years at Virginia, Bennett achieved remarkable success, including a national championship in 2019, six ACC regular-season titles, and two league tournament championships. Reflecting on his tenure, Bennett stated, “I wish I could have gone longer. I really do. But it was time.”
While Virginia often found itself as a contender during Bennett’s coaching years, the Cavaliers have not won an NCAA tournament game since their title victory in 2019. They are currently predicted to place fifth in the ACC preseason poll.
Bennett’s coaching career started at Washington State, where he led the team to two NCAA tournament appearances in three seasons. He also played college basketball for his father at Green Bay and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1992 NBA draft.
Bennett’s retirement mirrors the experiences of his mentors, as both his father and coach Bo Ryan retired partway through their respective seasons. During his press conference, Bennett expressed a desire to advocate for student-athletes and coaches in the evolving landscape of college sports, stating, “You can’t fight against yourself.”