Even though men’s college basketball started Wednesday, November 6, the basketball community is still adjusting to the news of UVA’s head coach Tony Bennett’s retirement. During Bennett’s retirement press conference, he brought to light why he decided to retire.
“When you know in your heart it’s your time, you have to give it away,” Bennett said, referring to his coaching position. “Laurel and I went away for fall break and processed what the future would be, and that’s where I came to the realization that I can’t do this.”
With college basketball, new National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) rules have significantly changed the way the transfer portal, the way players move into another college if wanted, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) systems work. The new transfer portal time window is 15 days shorter, which gives players a quicker time to move into a new college, to create a faster and easier system. Additionally, the new NIL system allows players to sign contracts and have the chance to make money off their personal brand. While this gives players positive opportunities, some people believe it has negatively impacted college basketball.
“I think it’s right for players to get revenue, don’t get me wrong, but the game and college athletics is not in a healthy spot at the moment, there needs to be change.” Bennett said, “I was equipped to do the job the old way, and my staff has buoyed me along to stay at this point.”
To take Bennett’s place, Ron Sanchez took on the mantle and is now the new head coach for UVA. He was a longtime assistant to Bennett from 2009 to 2018 and has experience as a head coach from his 2018 to 2023 seasons at UNC at Charlotte.
Though Bennett announced his retirement a few weeks ago, many fans are still adjusting to the change. For many fans, this is the first time they have seen someone else coach UVA basketball.
“I wish he could have stayed one more year, maybe even two,” freshman Jaxon Herring said. “It would have been even better if we could go to a championship again.”
Many fans have been unhappy with the new changes. Junior Louis “Tye” Tison had the similar opinion as Herring.
“I don’t think that is what you should do as a head coach,” Tison said. “He has helped out the team a lot and I think the team still needed him in this circumstance. I think it is his responsibility to help the team, and maybe should have kept going for at least this season.”
Sanchez made his debut on Wednesday, November 6, as the team played against the Campbell Fighting Camels. UVA took home the win with a 65-56 score.
“We want our players to know they are loved, and we want them to know that the leadership has changed, but the culture has not.” Sanchez said in an interview with the UVA Media team.
