The Virginia men’s basketball program has launched a national coaching search following its first losing season since 2009-10.
The Cavaliers parted ways with interim coach Ron Sanchez on Wednesday, just hours after losing to Georgia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
Sanchez, 52, took over when national championship-winning coach Tony Bennett announced his retirement just three weeks before the start of the season.
“I am grateful to Coach Sanchez for accepting this role during such a critical time for the program,” athletic director Carla Williams said in a statement released by the school. “Ron is the ultimate professional because he cares deeply about this program and this university. … Ron and the staff provided great stability, guidance and support for the young men on the team and we are thankful for his commitment to UVA and the values that are foundational to Virginia men’s basketball.”
Sanchez was an assistant coach under Bennett at Virginia from 2009-18 and again in 2023-24 after serving as the head coach at Charlotte from 2018-23, where his teams were 72-78.
Sanchez guided Virginia to a 15-17 record, including an 8-12 mark in the ACC following a 1-6 start to conference play. The Cavaliers finished 0-6 against teams ranked in the Top 25.
No. 8 seed Georgia Tech ended the ninth-seeded Cavaliers’ season with a 66-60 victory on Wednesday afternoon in Charlotte.
After the game, Sanchez was asked about his case for keeping the position on a full-time basis.
“I think that Carla and her advisers gave me the opportunity to interview every day, and my job now is done. My interview is over. Whatever they decide will be what’s best for the University of Virginia, and Ron is going to be very supportive of whatever Carla and her advisers decide.
“I love this place. I want it to be successful. No matter what happens with their decision, Virginia has my respect, my love, and I will continue to appreciate this place for all that it’s done for me throughout the years.”
Sanchez had big shoes to fill in Charlottesville, as Bennett left as the winningest coach in school history (364-136) and led the Cavaliers to a national championship in 2018-19.
“I never wanted to be Tony. Not at all. I am who I am,” Sanchez said Wednesday. “I respect what he’s built. My desire was to do the best that I could with this group. If you ask me, ‘Do I feel like I did that?’ The answer is absolutely yes.”
