Virginia coach Tony Bennett has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the program until at least the 2029-30 season. The contract includes an automatic one-year extension if Bennett is still coaching on April 30th, 2026, tying him to the Cavaliers through the 2030-31 season. This extension is significant for Virginia as Bennett is the winningest coach in program history and led the team to its only national championship in 2019.
Bennett’s success at Virginia has made him a foundational figure for the program. With the recent retirements of prominent coaches like Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, and Jim Boeheim, Bennett is now the only active ACC coach who has won a national title. Virginia’s athletic director, Carla Williams, expressed her confidence in Bennett, stating that he embodies everything important to the university and its athletics program.
During his tenure at Virginia, Bennett has achieved notable success. He has led the team to two ACC championships and six ACC regular-season titles. Bennett has also been recognized for his coaching abilities, earning four ACC Coach of the Year awards and three National Coach of the Year honors. However, despite the team’s national championship victory in 2019, they have struggled in the NCAA Tournament in recent years. In both 2021 and 2023, Virginia earned a No. 4 seed but lost to lower-seeded teams in the first round.
The lack of postseason success, combined with changes in college basketball, had raised questions about Bennett’s future at Virginia. His coaching style, focused on multiyear player development and redshirt years, clashed with the modern era of player movement. Additionally, Virginia has faced retention issues, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Bennett’s future. There were concerns about whether he would continue coaching if he couldn’t maintain the relationships he values over time.
However, Virginia’s recent moves in the transfer portal indicate a renewed commitment to success. The team has secured several highly regarded transfers, including former five-star Duke recruit TJ Power, former San Diego State starter Elijah Saunders, former Florida State guard Jalen Warley, and former Kansas State point guard Dai Dai Ames. Bennett hopes that these additions, along with returning wing Isaac McKneely, will improve the team’s offensive capabilities. While Virginia has always excelled defensively under Bennett, their offense has been less consistent. In the previous season, the team ranked 200th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Signing Bennett to this extension was an easy decision for Virginia. He is the most successful coach in the program’s history and has a track record of developing players who go on to the NBA. The extension also signifies Bennett’s willingness to adapt to the evolving landscape of college basketball. While some coaches have struggled to adjust, Bennett is determined to bring Virginia back to the forefront of the sport.
Overall, this contract extension provides stability and reassurance for the Virginia Cavaliers. With Bennett at the helm, the program can continue to compete for championships and build one of the best basketball programs in the country while upholding the values of the university.