UVA Head Basketball Coach Tony Bennett Turned Down Hefty Pay Hike

Back in April I ticked off University of Virginia fans when I said the national championship basketball team should have accepted an invitation to visit the White House.

I continue to believe that the lovely home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington is the People’s House. An invitation from the president - no matter who is the temporary occupant - is an honor.

Let’s move on. It’s time to make Wahoos smile.

Surely we can all agree that Tony Bennett’s decision to accept a contract extension while turning down a hefty, unspecified pay hike was a classy move by a head coach who rarely makes a misstep. 

UVA’s Cavalier Daily reported the news:

“Laurel [Bennett] and I are in a great spot, and in the past I've had increases in my contract,” Bennett said. “We just feel a great peace about where we're at, all that's taken place and how we feel about this athletic department and this community and this school. I love being at U.Va.”

Bennett was the fourth highest-paid coach in college basketball last season, behind Kentucky’s John Calipari, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo. He earned a total of $4.15 million after receiving numerous bonuses due to his on-court success and his longevity as men’s basketball coach. 

“I have more than I need,” Bennett said. “I’m blessed beyond what I deserve.”

Whoa. What is this strange, never-before-seen-behavior in a college basketball coach? A guy who’s satisfied with his pay and not hinting that other schools are ready to poach him?

Crazy.

It gets better: In addition to asking that the extra money be used for pay hikes for his staff and to upgrade facilities, Bennett and his wife pledged $500,000 to a career development program for past and present UVA basketball players.

Yes, you read that correctly. Not only did Bennett say he had plenty of dough and didn’t need a pay hike, he’s giving the school a cool half a million.

Basketball coaches - especially in college - are known more for their temper tantrums and massive egos than for their humility and generosity. In a sea of colorful coaches past and present - Bobby Knight, Lefty Driesell, Jerry Tarkanian, Rick Petino, Bill Self, to name a few - Bennett stands apart as a quiet man with a determined work ethic.

Bennett and his team handled the humiliating first round 2018 NCAA tournament loss to UMBC with grace and dignity. They then used it as a motivator to come back and win the 2019 national championship.

“Bennett is perhaps college basketball’s most public mystery,” The Washington Post marveled on the eve of this year’s tournament. “He actively avoids the spotlight for himself and his program, believes pregame theatrics and between-game hype are pointless, and doesn’t see how interviews and television appearances can benefit his team.”

It’s no mystery. Tony Bennett is a talented man and a Virginia treasure. Best of all, he’s in Charlottesville at least until the 2025-2026 season.