Ron Sanchez spoke to reporters Wednesday from the University of Virginia men’s basketball office, where, hanging over his left shoulder, sat a framed photo of Steve Prefontaine and a quote from the famous long-distance runner:
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
It was a fitting backdrop to Sanchez’s first meeting with the media since suddenly being named interim head coach of the Cavaliers following Tony Bennett’s surprise retirement announcement on Thursday.
Despite the temporary association with his new title, Sanchez is all-in on serving UVA with all he’s got.
“This (program) was on loan to Tony for 15 years,” Sanchez said. “Right now, it’s on loan to me for however long this institution chooses and, every day, it’s going to get my best. … This institution, (UVA Director of Athletics) Carla (Williams), (UVA) President (Jim) Ryan, Tony’s legacy deserves that level of respect and commitment to excellence.”
Sanchez is keenly aware of the shoes he’s filling. On Wednesday, he referred to Bennett, UVA’s all-time winningest coach, as not just a former colleague, but “one of my closest friends.”
The two go back more than two decades. Sanchez was on staff with Bennett at Washington State University (2003 to 2009) before becoming one of his top assistants at Virginia (2009 to 2018; 2023 to 2024). They often play tennis and exercise together.
It’s what made Bennett’s shocking departure – and the reasons behind it – all that more difficult for Sanchez.
“I didn’t realize how hard this space had been for him,” Sanchez said, referring to Bennett’s discomfort with the changing landscape of college athletics. “He was, for the first time, really opening up and sharing that. And I actually felt disappointed in myself that I wasn’t aware because I never really asked.”
That difficult conversation was the beginning of what’s been a whirlwind of a week for Sanchez and the Cavaliers, who begin their season Nov. 6 with a game against Campbell University at John Paul Jones Arena.
Sanchez pivoted quickly to his new responsibilities. First and foremost, he addressed the team, reminding them that, despite their desire to play for Bennett, it was Bennett’s assistant coaches who first identified them on the recruiting trail.
“We’re the ones who believed in them in the beginning,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez also challenged the players to buy into this unique opportunity they’ve been presented.
“Let’s commit to creating the most competitive and most enjoyable space possible,” he said he told them. “And let’s journey well.”
Finally, Sanchez emphasized their surroundings, noting that while one significant figure is gone, the rest of what UVA offers is still in place.
“They chose the University of Virginia,” he said. “A lot of that is because of basketball, but this institution is still here. The leadership may have changed, but the program and the culture here will not.
“And I think that they really appreciated that message.”
Media members picked the Wahoos, NCAA Tournament participants a year ago, to finish fifth in the 18-team Atlantic Coast Conference. That poll was revealed Oct. 15, two days before Bennett’s announcement.
Sanchez said to not expect drastic changes to the signature, defensive-minded style that was synonymous with Bennett’s teams.
