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Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett agrees to extension through at least 2030

Fri, Jun 14, 2024
NCAAB News (AP)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Tony Bennett, who coached Virginia to a national title in 2019, has signed an extension that will keep him with the Cavaliers through at least 2030.

Virginia athletic director Carla Williams announced the extension Thursday for the 55-year-old Bennett, who is 364-136 in 15 seasons with the Cavaliers. If Bennett remains the coach on April 30, 2026, his deal will automatically extend through 2031.

"Tony Bennett is foundational to our efforts to compete for championships in this new model of college athletics," Williams said in a statement. "He embodies everything important to the University of Virginia and Virginia athletics. It's an honor to work with him and we're thrilled about the future of men's basketball under his leadership."

Bennett is the winningest coach in Virginia history. In addition to the national title, he has led the Cavaliers to six Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season championships and two ACC Tournament titles. He is a two-time national coach of the year (2015 and 2018) and four-time ACC coach of the year.

The Cavaliers have not won an NCAA Tournament game since their title run five years ago, losing in the first round twice and this past-season in a play-in game. The year before its championship run, Virginia became the first No. 1 seed to lose in the first round.

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Bennett spent three years coaching at Washington State before being hired by Virginia in 2009. His overall record is 433-169.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with Carla Williams and (president) Jim Ryan and to represent the University of Virginia. My staff and I look forward to adapting to the new landscape of college athletics," Bennett said. "We will continue to build one of the best basketball programs on and off the court without compromising the values of our university. Go Hoos!"

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