Tony Bennett, longtime Virginia men’s basketball coach, unexpectedly retires before start of the season

Tony Bennett has coached the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball since 2009. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Tony Bennett, the longtime coach of the Virginia men’s basketball team, is retiring before the start of the season, the school announced Thursday. The news, which was first reported by Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68, was shortly confirmed by the Cavaliers.

Bennett, who has coached the Cavaliers since 2009, will retire effective immediately. He and Virginia will host a press conference Friday morning to discuss the sudden move.

Bennett, one of the most respected college coaches in the country, coached Virginia for 15 seasons, leading the Cavaliers to an NCAA Championship in 2019. The 55-year-old coach also led Virginia to six regular season ACC titles, two ACC tournament titles and ten NCAA Tournament appearances. He is a two-time Naismith Coach of the Year.

Jay Wright, who coached at Villanova for 21 years before launching an unexpected retirement announcement of his own in 2022, commended Bennett in a post on X.

“Tony is one of the most talented and toughest coaches we ever competed against. We always respected him and his teams at the highest level,” Wright wrote.

Tony is one of the most talented and toughest coaches we ever competed against . We always respected him and his teams at the highest level . A class guy –
Inspirational – spiritual and an incredible competitor !! @UVAMensHoops https://t.co/aSgZxGFfAD

— Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) October 17, 2024

Under NCAA guidelines, UVA players will have 30 days to enter the transfer portal, starting Friday. Virginia’s first game of the season, a home game against Campbell, is set to take place on November 6.