Virginia Basketball Gets Major Update from Tony Bennett Ahead of Season Opener

The Virginia Cavaliers , a powerhouse in college basketball, received significant news on Thursday regarding their head coach, Tony Bennett .

Field of 68 college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman announced that Bennett is retiring as the Cavaliers' head coach, stepping down just weeks before the new season begins.

The two-time Coach of the Year has spent 18 years coaching at the collegiate level, with 15 of those years at Virginia. During his tenure, he built one of the nation's premier programs, culminating in a National Championship victory in 2019 that will be remembered in history. As he approaches what would have been his 16th season with the team, the Cavaliers are now tasked with finding a new head coach to lead this esteemed program.

Bennett has been a cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ success, maintaining an impressive 364-136 record as head coach at Virginia—an extraordinary achievement that solidifies his status among the best in the nation. He won two ACC Tournament titles, six ACC regular-season championships, and was the ACC Coach of the Year four times.

His decision to step down comes as a surprise, especially so close to the start of the season. It's uncommon for coaches to retire at this point, raising questions about the program's future and the impact on players who have fully committed to his system.

While no official reason has been given for his retirement at just 55 years old, Bennett has undoubtedly left a lasting legacy in Virginia and at the University of Virginia. He has been a dominant force in the ACC for years, building a program filled with talent and success that will be remembered for generations.

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