Virginia basketball coach announces shock retirement

Virginia basketball coach announces shock retirement

Evans Ousuru 08:45 - 18.10.2024

He was voted AP national coach of the year twice, once at Washington State in 2007 and at Virginia in 2018.

Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett has made an abrupt decision by announcing his retirement on the eve of the start of the NBA 2024-25 season.

Even though his retirement will be made public later Friday, no reasons were given for his decision, which was unveiled simply in an online post by the program months after he had signed a contract extension to keep him in the job through at least 2030 according to the Associated Press.

His move also comes a week after he appeared at the Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason media days, and with the Cavaliers’ opener against Campbell looming at home in November. 6.

Bennett led the Cavaliers to the national title in 2019. He was voted AP national coach of the year twice, once at Washington State in 2007 and at Virginia in 2018.

“Tony Bennett embodies everything a high-quality basketball coach should be,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said in a statement. “He built strong relationships with his players, worked seamlessly with his administration, and earned deep respect nationwide — not just as a basketball coach, but as a person of great character and class. His presence will be deeply missed.”

Bennett’s first head-coaching tenure was a three-year stint with Washington State, where he won 69 games and twice reached the NCAAs, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2008.

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