Virginia coach Tony Bennett’s retirement on Friday reverberated across college basketball — and just because of its timing so close to the season.
Bennett sounds as if he’s exhausted by what college sports has become with NIL, the transfer portal and the ever-changing nature of regulation (or non-regulation in some cases).
While many understand his reasons, the timing seems tone-deaf. He retires less than three weeks before the season, leaving the players he recruited, and the staff he cultivated, to deal with what’s next. Under different circumstances, West Virginia knows all about how that works out.
The fact that Bennett said he’s been thinking about it until the spring but is only pulling the trigger on it now, he inadvertently provided an object lesson on the inescapable volatility of the game. It’s not like a health issue — he had a choice. He’s choosing to bail now, but then says he wants to be part of solving the problems in the game?
It would have had more respectful if had announced he would retire at season’s end. But, that presents a new problem — would he have been fully committed to one more year? The way he spoke the answer was no. And that creates another set of issues for his team.
So, whether you agree with it or not, Bennett is out the door. And, even though his players have a 30-day window to transfer, where on earth are they going to go at this point?
Virginia Coaching Search: Any Big 12 Targets?
How does this impact the Big 12? Well, it doesn’t — at least not right now. Ron Sanchez, his long-time assistant coach, will be the interim coach and will, theoretically, be auditioning for the full-time job.
But, if the Cavs falter and Virginia feels the need to search, which coaches in the Big 12 would be the most likely to be connected to the job?
No Chance for UVA
Well, eliminate the big names. That includes Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Kansas’ Bill Self, Baylor’s Scott Drew, Houston’s Kelvin Sampson and Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger.
Virginia athletic director Carla Williams should have her eye on three Big 12 coaches, should the need to replace Sanchez arise.
What Big 12 Names Could be Targeted?
First, Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley. He’s east coast, his seat is kind of hot out in Tempe and he may be ready for a change that gets him back to his ACC roots.
Second, Cincinnati’s Wes Miller. He’s a North Carolina native and played for the Tar Heels. A job like Virginia gets him back in the ACC and closer to home (though to be fair it’s not like Cincinnati is that far away from the Tar Heel state).
Third, Kansas State’s Jerome Tang. An excellent recruiter in the transfer portal, which is a must in this day and age. The east coast is a fertile ground for prep talent and Virginia would give him access to it.
Consider UCF coach Johnny Dawkins a back-up. Another ACC guy — he played at Duke — but he really hasn’t had the overall success with the Knights or with Stanford that would fit what the Cavaliers might be looking for.
It’s a choice job in that conference, a run below UNC and Duke. Virginia will have a solid list of candidates, assuming Sanchez can’t lock the job down. If that happens, then the coaches above should be on alert.
