By CHARLIE PARENT
Tony Bennett, the legendary Virginia head coach, will retire at a press conference Friday morning, the school announced Thursday.
The 55-year old won the 2019 National Championship with the Cavaliers and made the NCAA Tournament seven times. He won the ACC Regular Season six times and the ACC Tournament on two occasions.
Bennett is the winningest coach in Virginia, amassing a 364-136 record in Charlottesville.
The news sends shockwaves through the basketball world, with the regular season just three weeks away. Virginia is set to play Campbell on Nov. 6, but will be tested early with matchups against Villanova and No. 12 Tennessee in November.
Bennett follows Coach K (Duke), Jay Wright (Villanova), Roy Williams (Stanford) and Jim Boheim (Syracuse) as legendary coaches to retire since 2021. The motivation surrounding his decision has not yet been determined.If the news is true, college basketball just lost a man with incredible class, humility, and dignity. Tony Bennett is an awesome teacher of our game. You will be deeply missed!
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) October 17, 2024
Follow Charlie on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookThere is no health issue with Tony Bennett in his decision to retire, sources told @TheFieldOf68.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 17, 2024
There are likely other reasons, but the changing landscape of college basketball over the last couple years cannot be underestimated in his decision.
