Virginia hires Ryan Odom, the coach behind a historic upset
- Virginia has named Ryan Odom as the new head coach following the retirement of Tony Bennett.
- Odom previously gained notoriety as the coach at UMBC who led the team to a historic NCAA upset over Virginia in 2018.
- Virginia hopes Odom will revitalize the program after several disappointing seasons, including missing the NCAA Tournament.
In March 2025, Virginia's athletic director Carla Williams announced the hiring of Ryan Odom as the full-time replacement for Tony Bennett. Odom, previously the head coach at VCU, gained fame in 2018 when he led UMBC to a stunning victory over Virginia, becoming the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament history. This upset occurred when the Retrievers dominated the Cavaliers with a score of 74-54. Although Odom enjoyed success with UMBC, leading them to a 97-60 record over five seasons and a subsequent stint at Utah State, the hiring represents a hope for revitalizing a Virginia program that has struggled in recent years. Under Bennett, Virginia achieved great success, including an NCAA Championship victory in 2019, but failed to perform well in the following seasons. The announcement comes shortly after Bennett stepped down from his position, citing the evolving landscape of college basketball and his own discontent with current coaching methods. Virginia's basketball program, once a powerhouse, faced diminishing performances, missing the NCAA Tournament in recent years and posting a losing record for the first time since 2009-10. Odom's appointment signals a fresh beginning, with hopes of restoring the team's competitive edge in a challenging college basketball environment.