Virginia extends Tony Bennett through ’29-30

Tony Bennett and Virginia basketball have become synonymous since he helped lead the school to a national championship in 2019. That mutually beneficial relationship will continue well into the future, the school announced Thursday. Bennett signed a contract extension that runs through the end of the 2029-30 season. “I love UVA, and it has always been a special place for me and my family,” Bennett said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with (athletic director) Carla Williams and (university 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. 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!” Bennett, 55, has been with the school since 2009-10, leading the Cavaliers to a 364-136 record with 10 NCAA Tournament appearances in 15 seasons. Bennett, who previously coached three seasons at Washington State, is 433-169 (.719) overall as a head coach. “Tony Bennett is foundational to our efforts to compete for championships in this new model of college athletics,” Williams said. “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 has won numerous Coach of the Year awards, including the AP award and Naismith award following Washington State’s 2006-07 season. He again took home those awards (among others) following the 2017-18 season in which Virginia went 31-3. Famously, that team became the first No. 1 seed to ever lose to a 16 seed, 74-54 to UMBC. Bennett won the school’s first national title a season later, defeating Texas Tech 85-77 in the championship game. –Field Level Media