The 2024-25 college basketball season is less than three weeks away, but Virginia finds itself in a coaching transition following the retirement of future Hall of Famer Tony Bennett. He officially announced his decision at a press conference on Friday, finishing as the school’s all-time wins leader to go along with guiding them to their lone national championship (2019). His move came just months after signing a new contract extension, following in the footsteps of Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Roy Williams (North Carolina) and Jim Boeheim (Syracuse). Each of those legendary coaches were replaced by an internal candidate, and Virginia associate head coach Ron Sanchez takes over as the Cavaliers interim head coach.
Virginia Athletic Director Carla Williams told reporters that a national search will be conducted for Bennett’s permanent replacement after the season. The Cavaliers have become one of the top programs in college basketball under Bennett, making it a coveted job. If you love the Cavaliers, or just want to know who will be calling the shots for Virginia in the future, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at Wahoos247, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Virginia.
Wahoo247’s Virginia and college basketball insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development surrounding Bennett’s retirement and the future of the UVA basketball program, including insights from Jacquie Franciulli, who has deep-rooted ties inside and around the UVA community. Get all the inside scoop on the basketball program, plus and VIP intel on Virginia football, recruiting and more, as well as access to The Ground VIP forum, where you can connect with other Virginia fans and insiders.
And right now, Wahoos247 is offering 50% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at Wahoos247 already has a list out of several potential candidates and there are some surprising names on the list. Head to Wahoos247 now to see them all.
Top Virginia basketball coach candidates
One name the staff has identified as a potential target for the full-time job is Virginia associate head coach Jason Williford. He is in his 16th year with the program, serving as an assistant coach for the first nine seasons before being promoted to associate head coach following the 2017-18 season. Williford has helped guide the Cavaliers to a national championship, six ACC regular-season titles and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
He spent four years as a player at Virginia in the early 1990s, playing in three NCAA Tournaments with the Cavaliers. Williford then spent four seasons as an assistant at American University and five years as an assistant at Boston University. He does not have any head coaching experience at the college level, but his deep Virginia ties will make him an intriguing candidate when the national search is conducted following the season. See more candidates at Wahoos247.
How to get insider Virginia coaching staff search updates
The rest of the list includes several other coaches with ties to Virginia, including a current head coach at a successful mid-major school. You can only see who they are at Wahoos247.
Who are the top names in the Virginia basketball coaching search, and what mid-major coach could be on the move? Go to Wahoos247 to see their Virginia coaching hot board and more, all from a team of reporters with decades of experience covering the Cavaliers, and find out.
And reminder, Wahoos247 is offering 50% off an annual VIP membership as a coaching search special, so subscribe now before it’s too late.
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