Tony Bennet is retiring from UVA

[cheebs09]

Fluff

I do not care if they dress in drag, just would prefer not to see it. Zero problem with them being young and rich, and very happy for the vast majority of the young and rich athletes.

As for can they be coached, I would have to say the answer is yes. It just might need to be a new era of coaches. If TB resigned because of the new landscape of college sports, I would think that it confirms a trend that some of the older guys have no interest in staying at the college level, regardless of how much money they would be paid.

This isn't really a new development. I remember 20 years ago the NBA cracked down on what guys wore. I feel that entering the stadium shot has been shown for at least 20 years.

[bilsu]

My first thought is he wants to be available when the Wisconsin job opens up.

[Dickthedribbler]

My first thought is he wants to be available when the Wisconsin job opens up.

Really. When is the Wisconsin job going to open up?

[Uncle Rico]

My first thought is he wants to be available when the Wisconsin job opens up.

Why would he have to leave Virginia?

I think people vastly overrate his connection to UW-Madison.

Also, he's leaving at 55.  Not sure a new gig with his approach is what UW-Madison will want or what he wants

[cheebs09]

Why would he have to leave Virginia?

I think people vastly overrate his connection to UW-Madison.

Also, he's leaving at 55.  Not sure a new gig with his approach is what UW-Madison will want or what he wants

I don't think the way the Brad Soderberg  situation played out was well received by the Bennett family. Although, you can't really blame UW for the path they took.

[tower912]

He has enough to retire, so he did.  Now.he can do something new or nothing at all.

[ATL MU Warrior]

this is great for college basketball.  One less institution playing boring, ugly basketball.

[tower912]

Nobody has used this one yet....   the slow motion curse of the Hausers.   It is a testament to the strength of Izzo that he hasn't succumbed.   Yet.

[TallTitan34]

Nobody has used this one yet....   the slow motion curse of the Hausers.   It is a testament to the strength of Izzo that he hasn't succumbed.   Yet.

Technically, a Hauser sibling is still at Virginia:
https://virginiasports.com/coach/nicki-hauser/

[We R Final Four]

The Lens

I agree with you. I do not blame one bit for wanting to get out if it is because of the current state of college athletics. Guys that coached for 15+ years did not sign up for the version of the sport and taking early retirement makes a great deal of sense to me.

One of my sports pet peeves is seeing the pro athletes walking in the arena/stadium decked in crazy outfits, LV bags over their shoulders and looking like they are walking down a red carpet. While I am not a big IG or X guy, I have seen enough of that trickling down to the college level and I would not want to be 55y guy responsible to watch over the new era of college sports.

But it's October 18th.....the season starts in a few weeks.....he signed an extension in June.
But, you think he quit because of the current state of college basketball (which he has known about for over a year)?
Interesting.

[wadesworld]

He'll be great as a studio analyst next to (or on a competing network) Jay Wright.  And will continue to make boatloads of money doing it without the headache of chasing around teenagers trying to help him win basketball games.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

But it's October 18th.....the season starts in a few weeks.....he signed an extension in June.
But, you think he quit because of the current state of college basketball (which he has known about for over a year)?
Interesting.

And apparently because the players don't wear three-piece suits and "act like they've been there before."

[Uncle Rico]

Nobody has used this one yet....   the slow motion curse of the Hausers.   It is a testament to the strength of Izzo that he hasn't succumbed.   Yet.

Sam's arrival portended this day.  He never won another tournament game after Sam arrived.  Makes you think

[Uncle Rico]

But it's October 18th.....the season starts in a few weeks.....he signed an extension in June.
But, you think he quit because of the current state of college basketball (which he has known about for over a year)?
Interesting.

The current state of college basketball is older than a year.  The portal and NIL have been happening for a few years.

Do I think Bennett didn't like it?  Yes.  Can I blame him?  Honestly?  No.  He has the luxury of great success to walk away like a few others before him.

Is the timing bad and the optics bad since he just signed an extension?  Yes.

Do I hope he actually advocates for collective bargaining?  Yes.  Will he?  I have my doubts.

[mix it up]

"I do not care if they dress in drag, just would prefer not to see it. Zero problem with them being young and rich, and very happy for the vast majority of the young and rich athletes."


I used to love it when "Clyde" Frazier showed up all dressed up at Knicks games. Guys have been doing this for decades only now they're getting more airtime. Blame the coverage not the players.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Technically, a Hauser sibling is still at Virginia:
https://virginiasports.com/coach/nicki-hauser/

She write a letter and TB decides to retire?

[We R Final Four]

Is the timing bad and the optics bad since he just signed an extension?  Yes.

[MU82]

Reactions of far too many college sports fans:

Football player opts out of the Weedeater Bowl to protect his future earning ability: Outrageous! How could he quit on his team?!?!

Coach simply quits on his team either during a season or immediately before a season: Yawn.

[Scoop Snoop]

Excerpts from the press conference:

Bennett and his wife, Laurel, took a fall vacation prior to the season where he actually had some time to reflect on his life, his role in coaching, as a father, husband and whether he wanted to keep on his current path. He didn't, he said, and that humbling realization led him to his retirement decision.

"It wasn't until fall break where Laurel and I went away and just kind of processed what the future would be. And that's where I came to the realization that I can't do this. It's not fair to these guys, to this institution I love so much, to continue on where you know you're not the right guy for the job," Bennett said.

[Jay Bee]

Bet they got their a$$es handed to them at a secret scrimmage

[WhiteTrash]

Reactions of far too many college sports fans:

Football player opts out of the Weedeater Bowl to protect his future earning ability: Outrageous! How could he quit on his team?!?!

Coach simply quits on his team either during a season or immediately before a season: Yawn.

I haven't seen that reaction on this board. Maybe I missed it but I think I've only seen him getting roasted for the timing. Are the UVA fans dismissing his retirement?

[CTWarrior]

Excerpts from the press conference:

Bennett and his wife, Laurel, took a fall vacation prior to the season where he actually had some time to reflect on his life, his role in coaching, as a father, husband and whether he wanted to keep on his current path. He didn't, he said, and that humbling realization led him to his retirement decision.

"It wasn't until fall break where Laurel and I went away and just kind of processed what the future would be. And that's where I came to the realization that I can't do this. It's not fair to these guys, to this institution I love so much, to continue on where you know you're not the right guy for the job," Bennett said.

What's not fair is bailing out this late in the process.  A very large percentage of Americans give their best at jobs that aren't as fulfilling as spending time with their family because they have to.  You couldn't give it your best for one more season?

Announce your retirement at the end of the season, give the kids you made promises to your best for one last season and your administration time to find your successor. 

[cheebs09]

Excerpts from the press conference:

Bennett and his wife, Laurel, took a fall vacation prior to the season where he actually had some time to reflect on his life, his role in coaching, as a father, husband and whether he wanted to keep on his current path. He didn't, he said, and that humbling realization led him to his retirement decision.

"It wasn't until fall break where Laurel and I went away and just kind of processed what the future would be. And that's where I came to the realization that I can't do this. It's not fair to these guys, to this institution I love so much, to continue on where you know you're not the right guy for the job," Bennett said.

That's a load of baloney. Also, all the "game has changed too much narrative."

[Lennys Tap]

My first thought is he wants to be available when the Wisconsin job opens up.

Whether he's coaching at UVA or not he would be available if and when the job au UW opens up - if he wanted it. I don't think he could care less about the UW job.

[Hards Alumni]

Bet they got their a$$es handed to them at a secret scrimmage

Cam Ward told him the price, and Tony said, "I'm out"