Feb 19, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett walks off the court docket after the sport at Cassell Coliseum. Necessary Credit score: Brian Bishop-Imagn Photos Tony Bennett broke up the soccer information cycle in dramatic trend on Thursday when the College of Virginia confirmed that he’s stepping down instantly as this system’s basketball coach.
The information was significantly stunning contemplating Bennett took half within the ACC Media Tipoff earlier this month and that he not too long ago signed a contract extension by means of 2030.
The information comes lower than three weeks earlier than the beginning of the 2024-25 season, and there was no speedy phrase of who will take his place not less than on an interim foundation. If there’s a deliberate successor in place, the identify has not been shared publicly so far.
Who takes the reins of the celebrated program on a everlasting foundation could also be a query for subsequent offseason, however listed below are the highest three candidates to steer the Cavaliers not less than by means of the upcoming season.
RON SANCHEZ
Sanchez got here with Bennett from Washington State to Virginia earlier than leaving to take over because the Charlotte 49ers’ head coach from 2018-23, posting a 72-78 report that included profitable a CBI championship final 12 months. He returned to the Cavaliers this offseason as an affiliate head coach, and would at minimal be the main candidate to take over on an interim foundation. Sanchez started his school teaching profession as an assistant at SUNY Oneonta in 1996.
JASON WILLIFORD
Williford was promoted to an affiliate head coach place when Sanchez left for Charlotte, and the Cavaliers received the nationwide title in his first season within the position. His roots run deep in this system, as Williford performed 4 years for the Cavaliers, together with on the 1992 NIT championship workforce. He returned to Virginia in 2009, becoming a member of Bennett’s employees after working as an assistant at American College and Boston College.
BRAD SODERBERG
Soderberg presently serves because the Cavaliers’ director of scouting after spending head teaching stints at Lindenwood, St. Louis, South Dakota State and Loras School. Sure, these are all far smaller applications, however Soderberg additionally served because the interim head coach at Wisconsin in 2000-01. He joined Bennett in 2015 as an assistant, transferring into the director of scouting position in 2021.
Virginia, which went 23-11 and made the NCAA Event final season, shedding 67-42 to Colorado State within the first spherical. The Cavaliers open the 2024-25 marketing campaign Nov. 6 at residence in opposition to Campbell.
–Area Degree Media
