### Tony Bennett Cites NIL and Transfer Portal as Reasons for Sudden Retirement from Virginia Coaching

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A visibly emotional Tony Bennett announced his sudden retirement from coaching at Virginia on Friday, attributing his decision to the current landscape of college basketball which he finds difficult to navigate. Describing himself as "a square peg in a round hole," Bennett highlighted the challenges posed by name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements and the transfer portal as factors he feels unprepared to handle.

Bennett, who appeared in his trademark suit-minus-tie look, addressed an audience that included athletic director Carla Williams. "I looked at myself and I realized, I'm no longer the best coach to lead this program," he said. "If you're going to do it, you've got to be all in. You've got to have everything. And if you do it half-hearted, it's not fair to the university and those young men. That's what made me step down."

The 55-year-old coach is known for leading Virginia to a national championship in 2019, a remarkable comeback after the team’s historic loss to a 16-seed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Bennett joins a list of high-profile coaches stepping away from the profession, including Jay Wright of Villanova, who retired at 60. "The game and college athletics is not in a healthy spot, and there needs to be change," Bennett commented.

Former assistant Ron Sanchez, who rejoined the program last season, will serve as the interim coach. Williams announced that a national search for a permanent replacement will begin soon. She acknowledged that Bennett had been contemplating this decision for years, saying, "He has to have his whole heart in it. He could keep doing this half-heartedly, but it takes more courage to say, 'I'm not the person for it.'"

Bennett revealed that he thought about retiring immediately after the last season ended with a First Four loss to Colorado State. However, the pressures of the recruiting calendar didn’t allow him the time to fully consider his situation. It was during a fall break trip with his wife, Laurel, that Bennett realized he wasn’t the right fit for the evolving demands of college basketball. "It's not fair to these guys, and to this institution that I love so much, to continue on when you know you're not the right guy for the job," he stated.

Throughout his tenure, Bennett has a distinguished record, leading Virginia to numerous accolades, including two ACC Tournament titles, six ACC regular-season championships, and ten NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named ACC Coach of the Year multiple times, solidifying his legacy at the university.

Reflecting on his 15-year career at Virginia, Bennett said, "I thought it would be a little longer, to be honest, but that's been on loan. This position has been on loan, and it's time for me to give it back." Former Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage, who hired Bennett in 2009, praised the coach's contributions, noting that Bennett had both the pedigree and the understanding needed to build a successful program.

Despite criticisms and setbacks, including the first-round NCAA Tournament loss to UMBC in 2018, Bennett and his team rebounded to win the 2019 national title. His leadership and dedication have left a lasting impact on Virginia basketball, even as he steps away to make room for new leadership.