Virginia head coach Tony Bennett is set to announce his retirement on Friday after 15 seasons with the Cavaliers, as confirmed by the school on Thursday.
This news comes as a surprise just weeks before the 2024-25 college basketball season, which would have marked Bennett’s 19th year with the program.
According to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68, the 55-year-old Bennett’s decision is not due to health issues. He also suggested that factors like the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness may have influenced Bennett’s choice to step down.
Bennett, a three-time National Coach of the Year, boasts an impressive 433-169 record over 18 seasons, including 364-136 at Virginia, where he made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances. He led the Cavaliers to their 2019 national championship and secured two ACC Tournament titles and six regular-season championships.
Before his success at Virginia, Bennett was an assistant under his father, Dick, at Wisconsin and Washington State. He gained recognition after taking over the WSU program in 2006, earning his first National Coach of the Year award for leading the Cougars to a 26-8 record in the 2006-07 season.
Rick Pitino expressed his sadness over Bennett’s decision, stating, “If the news is true, college basketball just lost a man with incredible class, humility, and dignity. Tony Bennett is an awesome teacher of our game. You will be deeply missed!”
