13 Years of Bennett Ball: Tony Bennett's Outstanding Resume at Virginia

Taking a look at Tony Bennett's accomplishments at UVA on the 13th anniversary of his hiring

Matt Newton | Mar 31, 2022

13 Years of Bennett Ball: Tony Bennett's Outstanding Resume at Virginia /

On March 31st, 2009, Tony Bennett was formally introduced as the head coach of the Virginia men's basketball program.

Craig Littlepage, Tony Bennett, John Casteen — Craig Littlepage, Tony Bennett, and John Casteen / Photo courtesy of Virginia Magazine

13 years later, Bennett has established himself as one of the nation's best college basketball coaches, whose resume speaks for itself. On the 13-year anniversary of Bennett's hiring, let's take a look at what he has accomplished in his time in Charlottesville:

316-117 overall record (.730 winning percentage)
10 seasons with 20+ wins
4 seasons with 30+ wins
UVA program-record 35 wins in 2019
6x nationally ranked No. 1 scoring defense (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
2x U.S. Basketball Writers Association Henry Iba National Coach of the Year (2015, 2018)
2018 Naismith Coach of the Year
2018 AP National Coach of the Year
2018 NABC Coach of the Year
4x ACC Coach of the Year (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019)
5x ACC regular season championships (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021)
2x ACC Tournament titles (2014, 2018)
8x NCAA Tournament appearances
4x NCAA Tournament No. 1 seeds
3x NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearances
2x NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearances
2019 Final Four
2019 National Championship, first in Virginia basketball program history

Beyond the wins, championships, accomplishments, and awards, Tony Bennett's greatest achievement has been the establishment of an elite basketball program that wins the right way. Bennett's Five Pillars - Humility, Passion, Unity, Servanthood, Thankfulness - are what make Virginia Basketball truly special and the UVA community is extremely fortunate to have an outstanding basketball coach who is an even better person.

Congratulations on 13 years at the University of Virginia, Tony Bennett. Here's to many more.

Tony Bennett - best coach in the country

See more Virginia men's basketball news and content: Virginia Men's Basketball on Sports Illustrated

See more Virginia sports news and content: Virginia Cavaliers on Sports Illustrated

Read more from Cavaliers Now

Virginia Tennis Extends Andres Pedroso and Sara O'Leary Through 2027

No. 4 Virginia Downs Richmond 8-2 for Program-Record 19th Straight Home Win

Matthew Nunes Wins ACC Defensive Player of the Week for Second Time

Kate Douglass and Todd DeSorbo Earn CSCAA National Swimming Awards

Reports: Virginia Basketball Contacts Several Transfer Portal Targets

Virginia Guard Carson McCorkle Enters Transfer Portal

Lars Tiffany Signs Contract Extension to Remain UVA Men's Lacrosse Coach Through 2026

Published Mar 31, 2022

MATT NEWTON

Matt launched Virginia Cavaliers On SI in August of 2021 and has since served as the site's publisher and managing editor, covering all 23 NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. He is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and graduated from UVA in May of 2021.