From left to right, Jim Ryan, University of Virginia's President, and Robert Hardie, Rector of UVa's Board of Visitors, attend a press conference where Tony Bennett, the UVa Basketball's Head Coach, announces his retirement from coaching at John Paul Jones Arena during a press conference on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

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.