Virginia coach Tony Bennett chokes back tears explaining decision to retire: ‘It was time’

Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett on Friday choked back tears explaining why he abruptly made the decision to step away from the game with the season starting in less than three weeks. In a press conference at the University of Virginia, Bennett bemoaned the state of college athletics and said he felt he was no longer equipped as the best person for the job given the dramatic changes within the sport surrounding name, image and likeness and the proliferation of players transferring through the NCAA transfer portal.

“I don’t think I’m equipped in this new way to coach, and it’s a disservice if you keep doing that,” Bennett said. “I’m very sure that this is the right step. I wish I could’ve gone longer. I really do. But it was time.” 

Bennett said he came to the conclusion recently that it was time to step down and plans to make use of his newfound free time by committing to be a better husband, better dad, better brother, better son and a better friend to those around him.

“When I looked at myself I realized I’m no longer the best coach to lead this program in this current environment,” he said, fighting back tears. “If you’re going to do it, you’ve got to be all in. You’ve got to have everything. If you do it half-hearted, it’s not fair to the university, and to those young men. So in looking at it, that’s what made me step down.”

It was also announced that Virginia assistant Ron Sanchez will serve as interim head coach for the 2024-25 season. The university will conduct a national search for a permanent coach.    

Bennett’s head coaching career in college began at Washington State — where he previously served as an assistant — before being elevated to head coach in 2006. He went 69-33 in three seasons at Wazzu before Virginia hired him in 2009, sparking the most successful stint in Cavaliers men’s basketball history.

In 15 seasons, Bennett went 364-136, making him the all-time wins leader at UVA and the winningest coach in program history by winning percentage. His tenure was the culmination of a steady build to greatness, culminating with a national championship in 2019 one year removed from becoming the first-ever No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

A lot changed between the national championship Virginia won and Bennett’s retirement this week, namely surrounding what Bennett termed as the move towards a more “professional model” in college basketball. 

“The game, and college athletics, is not in a healthy spot,” he said. “It’s not. And there needs to be change.

“I was equipped to do the job the old way. That’s who I am,” he continued. “But there needs to be change. It’s going to be closer to a professional model. There’s got to be collective bargaining. There’s got to be restrictions on a salary pool a team can spend. There has to be transfer regulation restrictions. There has to be some restrictions on the agent involvement on some of the young guys.”