4 things we learned from Tony Bennett's retirement announcement

“I’ve been here for 15 years as the head coach. And I thought it would be a little longer, to be honest,” Bennett said.

“That’s been on loan. It wasn’t mine to keep. And it’s time for me to give it back — to gain what I can’t lose — to be a better husband … to be a better dad … to be a better friend.

“I’ve given everything I can for 15 years.”

Bennett’s hopes and the UVa administration’s plans for his successor do not align at the moment. Amid rumors and speculation as to why things seemed to unfold so abrupt, we know the following to be true.

Bennett, 55, went 364-136 at UVa while leading the Cavaliers to six regular-season ACC championships, two conference tournament championships and the 2019 national championship.

He was twice named Naismith College Coach of the Year. He said he considered retirement at the end of last season. Then he signed a contract extension that went through April 2031.

And here are four more things Friday’s conversations confirmed:

Bennett’s guy will get a shot

Bennett said the timing of his announcement was, in part, because he always envisioned one of his assistants taking over for him.

Moments later, Bennett revealed associate head coach Ron Sanchez would be elevated to interim coach this coming season to lead the Cavaliers, who open their new campaign on Nov. 6 at home against Campbell.

“They’ve got a very tough schedule coming up,” Bennett said about the team he’s leaving behind, “but they have a chance to be good. And the staff with Coach Sanchez leading it … have a chance to take this group and do the job.”

UVa’s director of athletics, Carla Williams, confirmed that Sanchez, a longtime assistant under Bennett who is entering his 11th season on the Cavaliers’ staff, will indeed be the interim head coach for the 2024-25 season.

Sanchez worked for Bennett for a total of 13 seasons, dating back to Bennett’s three years as Washington State’s coach. When Bennett took the UVa job a decade and a half ago, Sanchez followed and stayed through the 2017-18 season before leaving to become head coach at Charlotte.

Under Sanchez, the 49ers won 16 games or more in three of his five years there. He compiled a 72-78 record leading Charlotte’s program with winning records in three of his last four years at the school before stepping down in order to return to UVa ahead of last season.

Virginia AD still planning national search

Over UVa’s fall break, Bennett said, he took some time away with his wife, and processed what the future may hold.

“That’s where I came to the realization that I can’t do this,” he said. “It’s not fair to these guys (his players) and this institution that I love so much, to continue on when you know you’re not the right guy for the job.”

Williams, with tears rolling down her cheeks, said she and Bennett have for the past three years discussed the challenges facing the modern college sports landscape. 

Williams added that Bennett informed her of his decision a couple days ago.

The program will conduct a “national search” for its next full-time head coach after the season concludes, Williams also confirmed.

“We knew, three years ago, that we were going to lose really good people in college athletics,” Williams said.

Retirement has been on Bennett’s mind

Bennett always wanted to do things his way. But now more than ever, he said, he felt like he didn’t belong. 

In a room filled with UVa brass, current and former Cavaliers players and others connected to the school such as Indiana Pacers coach and UVa alumnus Rick Carlisle, Bennett spoke for about 20 minutes on what led to his decision to step aside.

“I’m a square peg in a round hole,” Bennett said.

Chief among the factors leading to Bennett’s retirement were the state of modern college athletics in the age of name, image and likeness, and the ethical challenges associated with roster construction amid the transience of the transfer portal.

“I looked at myself and I realized I’m no longer the best coach to lead this program in this current environment,” Bennett said. “If you’re gonna do it, you’ve got to be all-in … that’s what made me step down.

“There’s still a way in this environment, to do it and hold to our values. But it’s complicated. To admit, honestly, that I’m not equipped to do this is humbling.”

There was a(nother) call for change

Bennett stressed that he believes it’s right for college athletes to receive revenue stemming from NIL. 

“But the game and college athletics is not in a healthy spot,” he said. “And there needs to be change. I was equipped to do the job here the old way.”

Bennett said college sports are moving toward a “professional model” in which collective bargaining is essential.

He called for restrictions on the salary pool that programs can spend; for increased transfer regulations; and for limits on agent involvement with college athletes. 

He added that he worries about the mental health of student-athletes in the modern landscape. 

“This is a place that will not compromise, and do it the right way,” Bennett said, gesturing to Virginia director of athletics Carla Williams, seated next to him at the podium.

“I wish that could be me. But it can’t. When you know in your heart it’s the time, you have to give it away.”