**Virginia Coach Tony Bennett Abruptly Announces Retirement on Season's Eve**

In an unexpected move, Virginia men's basketball coach Tony Bennett has retired immediately, stunning fans and the basketball community just before the start of a new season. The Virginia program announced Thursday that the 55-year-old Bennett will formally reveal his decision at a news conference on Friday at 11 a.m. EDT. His decision comes months after signing a contract extension that was supposed to keep him with the team through at least 2030.

Bennett's retirement announcement arrives without any explanation for its timing, leaving many questions unanswered. The news comes a week after Bennett participated in the Atlantic Coast Conference's preseason media days and with the Cavaliers' opener against Campbell slated for Nov. 6.

During his 15 years at Virginia, Bennett cemented his legacy by leading the Cavaliers to their first national title in 2019. His tenure saw the team secure 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, amassing a record of 364-136. Under his leadership, Virginia won two ACC Tournament titles and six regular-season conference championships. Bennett was honored as the AP national coach of the year twice—once at Washington State in 2007 and at Virginia in 2018.

Bennett took over the Virginia program before the 2009-10 season, arriving from Washington State where he had also achieved significant success. Tasked with revitalizing a once-prominent program, Bennett quickly made his mark by implementing a defensive system that brought the Cavaliers back to March Madness in his third season. His approach, which emphasized slow-tempo offense and strong defense, was initially met with great approval.

The peak of his career undoubtedly came with a run of six consecutive tournament bids from 2014-2019, including four as a No. 1 seed. However, this period also saw the unprecedented humiliation of being the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed, UMBC, in 2018. Just a year later, Bennett guided the team to redemption with an overtime victory against Texas Tech to win the NCAA championship.

Bennett's humility was ever-present, even during the team's triumphant moment in 2019. He stepped back to let his players enjoy the spotlight, embodying the teamwork and dedication that characterized his coaching style. Despite this crowning achievement, the following years saw a decline in tournament success, leading to questions about the effectiveness of his playing philosophy in the current era of increased player mobility.

In his final season, Bennett's Cavaliers endured a disappointing exit with a 25-point loss to Colorado State in the First Four of the NCAA tournament. At the ACC's preseason media days, Bennett showed no signs of his impending departure, discussing plans for the upcoming season.

With his departure, Bennett joins a growing list of distinguished ACC coaches retiring, including North Carolina’s Roy Williams, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, and Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim. His first head coaching job was at Washington State, where he achieved considerable success, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2008.

Tony Bennett’s departure marks the end of an era for Virginia basketball, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, excellence, and humility.