Cavs Hope Bennett Is the Right Fit

Former National Coach of the Year Officially Introduced at Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, April 1 -- In 2006, Virginia Athletic Director Craig Littlepage chaired the NCAA men's basketball tournament selection committee and was criticized for admitting too many mid-major teams into the tournament. Littlepage brushed off the criticism and pledged confidence in the process. George Mason validated Littlepage's decision by improbably reaching the Final Four.

On Wednesday, Littlepage introduced former Washington State coach Tony Bennett as Virginia's next coach. Littlepage cited his experience in 2006 when discussing the process for hiring Bennett, who does not arrive as the marquee name Virginia fans expected after Dave Leitao's resignation on March 16. But Bennett is now Littlepage's coaching version of George Mason.

"I had absolute confidence in what was being done," Littlepage said. "When I went out and asked the people I know -- and who are respected in the basketball community -- every single one of those people said words to the effect of, 'My gosh, if you can get that guy, you got to get him.' "

Although Bennett's name was not discussed publicly for the Virginia vacancy, the Cavaliers identified him early and his résumé and personality made him attractive for other high-profile openings in past seasons. Bennett won Associated Press coach of the year honors in 2007 and led the Cougars to the NCAA tournament twice in three seasons.

Bennett enjoyed Washington State, but was drawn to the timing and the fit of the Virginia job. After coaching in Pullman, Wash., Bennett was excited about Virginia's proximity to elite talent -- but also understood the challenges inherent to a program that has reached the NCAA tournament twice in 11 years.

"It's going to take a little bit of time," Bennett said. "It's not about building a great team, but about building a program that lasts. You need to establish it and do it the right way."

Bennett's immediate priority is to build a coaching staff with recruiting ties in Virginia. Bennett has already recruited Ritchie McKay to be one of his assistants. McKay, a former coach at New Mexico, Oregon State, Colorado State and Portland State, stepped down as Liberty's coach on Wednesday.

Bennett must also endear himself to two high school seniors who signed letters-of-intent with Virginia in the fall: forward Tristan Spurlock from Word of Life and guard Jontel Evans from Hampton, Va. Bennett spoke to both on the phone on Tuesday and planned to visit both in person by Thursday.

Yet the meeting that Bennett most anticipated was the one with his new team on Tuesday. The Cavaliers return almost every major contributor, although each was recruited by Leitao and must now adapt to a coach with a different personality and a different scheme.

"I just thought about the last two weeks if I was in their spot," Bennett said. "I just wanted to meet them, put a name to the face, ask them a little about themselves, a little bit about my vision. Over time, that's going to happen."

The players have managed the two weeks of uncertainty the way most Virginia fans did -- scanning for rumors anywhere they could be found. ACC rookie of the year Sylven Landesberg read speculation about Minnesota's Tubby Smith and Oklahoma's Jeff Capel -- and even Texas Coach Rick Barnes. When forward Mike Scott heard from a friend on Facebook that Virginia was set to hire Bennett, he told his teammates.

"The singer?" Landesberg responded.

Landesberg admitted that he had not heard of Bennett before Monday nor watched Washington State play. But upon meeting their new coach, Landesberg and teammates were impressed.

"We could tell by his personality he's good people," guard Jeff Jones said. "Now it's just getting to know him more and keep it going from there."

The initial shock of the hire has turned into excitement about Bennett's prospects. But Littlepage admitted the optimism he felt Tuesday was similar four years ago, when he announced Leitao as the head coach. The introduction four years later did not include the marquee name fans expected, although the objective is to produce a coach that will not result in another news conference.

"The press conference is kind of like your wedding day," Bennett said. "There's a lot of promise, a lot of excitement. But what really matters, quite honestly, is the marriage. And that's the daily investment. It's the promise over time. It's that commitment, and that's what it takes to build a program. And I'm so excited to do that at the University of Virginia."