Tony Bennett, the head coach of Virginia men's basketball, has announced his immediate retirement, a decision confirmed by the university.

Despite signing a contract extension in June that would have kept him with the program through the 2029-30 season, the reasons for Bennett's sudden retirement remain undisclosed.

In reflecting on his coaching career, Bennett noted that the mental toll had made winning feel more like a relief than a celebration.

He expressed that he no longer felt equipped to lead the program in the current college athletics environment, emphasizing the need for full commitment.

Bennett acknowledged the pressures of the evolving business side of college sports, including NIL demands and transfer rules, which influenced his decision to step down.

Although excited about coaching again after acquiring new talent, Bennett reconsidered his position after a getaway with his wife.

Following Bennett's departure, associate head coach Ron Sanchez is expected to be named interim head coach, with Bennett endorsing him as a preferred successor.

As a result of Bennett's retirement, Virginia players now have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal, with the season opener against Campbell approaching.

Bennett's retirement marks a significant change in the ACC, joining a trend of prominent coaches like Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams stepping down.

During his tenure at Virginia, Bennett led the team to a national championship in 2019 and became the all-time wins leader in the program's history.

The challenge for Sanchez will be to maintain continuity while adapting to the new demands of recruiting and coaching in college basketball.

A press conference to discuss Bennett's retirement will be streamed live on the Virginia Cavaliers' Facebook page.