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ACC Basketball: Ranking all 15 head coaches for 2019-20 season

By Joey Loose

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils and head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands prior to their gaem at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 9, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils and head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands prior to their gaem at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 9, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers looks on against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers looks on against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

3. Tony Bennett (Virginia)

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 18 months, you already know the narrative. Bennett has brought remarkable success to Virginia, but his team fell to 16-seed UMBC. Fortunately, the narrative that this team couldn’t win the big game was decimated last season, as Virginia won their first national championship, further elevating Bennett’s success as a head coach.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Bennett played for his father Dick at Green Bay before a brief international playing and coaching career. His college coaching career began under Dick as an assistant at Wisconsin, though he was retained by Bo Ryan. He then moved to Washington State, again serving under his father for three seasons. When Dick retired, Tony began his head coaching career with the Cougars, leading the team to the Sweet Sixteen in his second season.

When Virginia hired Bennett in 2009, this wasn’t a contender for anything. Under Bennett, this program has skyrocketed, even more now with their first national title. He won the ACC regular-season title four of the last six seasons and notched an Elite Eight run a few seasons ago. His 121-53 record in ACC play is extraordinary as well as his resilience.

This team could have folded so many times but kept fighting last season, winning insane game after insane game on their run to the title. No one would let them forget their struggles with UMBC and Bennett’s coaching job with this team was absolutely outstanding. A defensive guru with impressive shooters, Bennett will look to rebuild with his three top players off to the NBA. The Cavaliers won’t be in a position to defend their title, but don’t be surprised to see them extend their 8-year streak of top 5 finishes in the ACC.