<body><div><figure><iframe height="360" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/4hkVptRg-Gqa7hx4c.html" width="100%"></iframe><figcaption>Meet The Cheerleading Squads Of The SEC (1:45) </figcaption></figure><p> Just four months ago Virginia locked up head coach Tony Bennett with a contract extension that would keep him with the program through the 2029-30 season. </p><p> An extra year would have been added to the contract if he was still the team's coach as of&nbsp;April 30, 2026. </p><p> "I love UVA, and it has always been a special place for me and my family," Bennett said of the new deal. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with [athletic director] Carla Williams and [university president] Jim Ryan and to represent the University of Virginia. My staff and I look forward to adapting to the new landscape of college athletics. We will continue to build one of the best basketball programs on and off the court without compromising the values of our university. Go Hoos!" </p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3V3lVr_0wBCAm0q00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3V3lVr_0wBCAm0q00" width="1200" height="800" ><figcaption>CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers watches a play in the second half during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at John Paul Jones Arena on February 21, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 65-54. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) </figcaption></figure><p> Well, fast forward a few months, and now that deal is ending abruptly. </p><p> The Virginia basketball program announced Bennett will announce his retirement in a press conference on Friday. "Tony Bennett to announce his immediate retirement in a press conference on Friday at 11 a.m," the statement read. </p><p> Bennett took over the Virginia program in 2009, when he replaced Dave Leitao. During his tenure as the team's head coach he took the program to 10 NCAA tournament appearances and six ACC regular-season championships. He was named AP National Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2018, and has won a pair of conference tournament titles. </p><p> Bennett racked up a career record of 364-136 overall. </p><p align="center"><strong><a href="https://thespun.com/college-football/prayers-pouring-in-for-kirk-herbstreits-family-this-weekend" rel="nofollow"> Related: Prayers Pouring In For Kirk Herbstreit's Family This Weekend </a></strong></p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Legendary Virginia Basketball Coach Tony Bennett Is Retiring

Just four months ago Virginia locked up head coach Tony Bennett with a contract extension that would keep him with the program through the 2029-30 season. An extra year would have been added to the contract if he was still the team's coach as of April 30, 2026. \"I love UVA, and it has always ...

Just four months ago Virginia locked up head coach Tony Bennett with a contract extension that would keep him with the program through the 2029-30 season. An extra year would have been added to the contract if he was still the team's coach as of April 30, 2026. "I love UVA, and it has always ...