NCAA BASKETBALL
How much money has Tony Bennett made as the head coach of Virginia?
The basketball world is left reflecting on the incredible legacy Tony Bennett left behind at Virginia—a legacy of success, leadership, and lasting impact.
Like from the blue sky, the longtime University of Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett has announced his retirement, effective immediately. The news broke yesterday afternoon, with Bennett officially set to step down after 15 successful seasons in Charlottesville. The formal announcement will be made during a press conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. today.
This sudden decision is a shock to many, mainly because Bennett had just signed a contract extension in June, which would have kept him at UVA through the 2030 season. His unexpected retirement marks the end of an illustrious era for the Cavaliers, as Bennett is widely regarded as one of the most successful coaches in the program’s history.
During his tenure, Bennett led Virginia to its first and only national championship in 2019, engraving his name as a legend in Virginia college basketball. In addition to the national title, Bennett’s teams won two ACC tournament championships and secured six ACC regular-season titles. Under his leadership, Virginia made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, consistently establishing itself as one of the top programs in the country.
Bennett’s influence extended beyond the basketball court. Known for his “Five Pillars” philosophy, he emphasized humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness, which shaped the program’s identity and culture. His approach earned him widespread admiration both in and out of the sport.
In recognition of his coaching excellence, Bennett was named ACC Coach of the Year four times and National Coach of the Year three times. He had a tremendous inspirational impact on his players, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the NBA or other professional fields.
How much money did UVA pay to their legendary basketball coach during his tenure?
Tony Bennett, now former head coach of the University of Virginia’s men’s basketball team, is estimated to have a net worth of $11 million.
His reported annual salary at the University of Virginia was over $3 million, making him one of the highest-paid college basketball coaches in the country.
In 2019, Bennett made headlines when he declined a significant pay raise, instead requesting the university to allocate that money to his staff and the basketball program. This decision garnered widespread praise and highlighted Bennett’s commitment to the well-being and success of his team and staff.