Tony Bennett will be Virginia's next basketball coach, according to the Charlottesville Daily Progress. Bennett led Washington State to the NCAA Tournament twice in three seasons, including an appearance in the Sweet 16 in 2008.
Bennett replaces Dave Leitao, who resigned earlier this month after his fourth season at UVa.
Bennett, a former NBA player in Charlotte, inherits a team that went 10-18 this past season and 9-23 in the ACC since sharing the regular-season title in 2006-07.
Bennett, 39, went 68-30 in three seasons at Washington State. He took over the program after his father, Dick, retired before the 2006-07 season.
Bennett's teams, like his father's, are known for their defense. Washington State led the country in scoring defense, allowing only 55.4 points per game. On the flip side, the Cougars ranked 314th in scoring offense (59.2 points per game).
The Cougars won beat Winthrop and Notre Dame in the 2008 NCAA Tournament before traveling cross country to face UNC in Charlotte in the Sweet 16. The Tar Heels trounced Bennett's team 68-47.
Comments
I dunno
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 09:11 — gvillegatrLittlepage is officially on the hot seat at UVa. this experiment will not last very long if Bennett is not successful. if for no reason other than the ACC simply doesn't play this type of basketball. this is not the Big Televen where this originated at Wisconsin. <---- as far as i'm concerned.
UVa's latest coaching hire
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 00:11 — melvinfurdAccording to the Official Website of Washington State University Athletics, WSU was 69-33 during Bennett's three seasons:
2007 26-8
2008 26-9
2009 17-16
I'm impressed
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 03:02 — bstoneazMultiple honors as a player and coach. Washington State was #1 in D this year despite the record. Fans and players loved him. Was at a tough place to recruit...
Still a gamble but I like what I'm finding out
Unexpected
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 00:02 — bstoneazAn unexpected but interesting hire.
The AD is taking a gamble on improved recruiting at Virginia but he has some strong points.
Coffee served at UVa home games now!
Mon, 03/30/2009 - 23:51 — tarheelfanblogThey need to have some way to keep the fans awake.