Tony Bennett’s retirement from coaching was a major loss for the University of Virginia. It was an equally damaging loss for all of college basketball. In an era when it seems as if nothing is certain in the sport, Bennett represented everything good — a class act in every way, and a Hall of Fame coach as a bonus.

Bennett's philosophies didn’t always align with the name, image and likeness and transfer portal era of college athletics.

One day after the University of Virginia announced the surprise news that men’s basketball head coach Tony Bennett was retiring – effective immediately – after 15 seasons at the helm, an emotional Bennett explained why.