Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett shocked college basketball fans on Thursday when he announced his retirement, effective immediately, despite the Cavaliers sitting less than three weeks away from opening the season. Bennett appeared for the ACC Tip Off preseason media event earlier this month, and reports indicate that the decision is not health-related. He has spent 15 seasons as the head coach at Virginia, leading the school to its first national championship in 2019. Bennett recently signed a contract extension that would have kept him with the program through the 2029-30 season.
The three-time National Coach of the Year and four-time ACC Coach of the Year had not advanced past the first round of the NCAA Tournament since winning it all in 2019. Associate head coach Ron Sanchez is expected to be named the interim head coach. If you love the Cavaliers, or just want to know who will be calling the shots for Virginia in the future, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at Wahoos247, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Virginia.
Wahoo247's Virginia and college basketball insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development surrounding Bennett's retirement and the future of the UVA basketball program, including insights from Jacquie Franciulli, who has deep-rooted ties inside and around the UVA community. Get all the inside scoop on the basketball program, plus and VIP intel on Virginia football, recruiting and more, as well as access to The Ground VIP forum, where you can connect with other Virginia fans and insiders.
And right now, Wahoos247 is offering 50% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at Wahoos247 already has a list out of several potential candidates and there are some surprising names on the list. Head to Wahoos247 now to see them all.
Top Virginia basketball coach candidates
One name the staff has identified as a potential target for the full-time job is Ron Sanchez. He spent nine seasons on Bennett's coaching staff from 2009-18 before spending a few seasons as the head coach at Charlotte. Sanchez led the 49ers to a 72-78 record, including a CBI Championship in 2023, before returning to Virginia last season.
He helped the Cavaliers win 212 games, three ACC regular-season titles and two ACC Tournament titles during his time as an assistant coach. The Cavaliers were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time in 30 years during his final season before he took the Charlotte job. Sanchez could use the interim position as an opportunity to prove himself as the best option for the full-time gig. See more candidates at Wahoos247.
How to get insider Virginia coaching staff search updates
The rest of the list includes several other coaches with ties to Virginia, including a current head coach at a successful mid-major school. You can only see who they are at Wahoos247.
Who are the top names in the Virginia basketball coaching search, and what mid-major coach could be on the move? Go to Wahoos247 to see their Virginia coaching hot board and more, all from a team of reporters with decades of experience covering the Cavaliers, and find out.
And reminder, Wahoos247 is offering 50% off an annual VIP membership as a coaching search special, so subscribe now before it's too late.
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