**Virginia Hires Ryan Odom as New Head Basketball Coach**
Virginia has appointed Ryan Odom as its new head basketball coach, a move steeped in irony. Odom previously coached UMBC, where he led the Retrievers to a historic victory over Virginia in 2018, marking the first time a 16-seed defeated a No. 1 seed in NCAA tournament history. The Cavaliers were heavily favored in that matchup, entering as 20.5-point favorites, but lost 74-54 after a dominant second half by UMBC.
### Odom’s Coaching Journey
– **Recent Performance**: Odom’s VCU team, seeded No. 11, was eliminated by sixth-seeded BYU in the first round of this year’s tournament.
– **Career Record**: Odom boasts a career record of 222-127, including a 52-21 record at VCU.
– **Previous Tenure**: He served as head coach at UMBC until 2021 before moving to Utah State and then VCU.
### Transition at Virginia
– **Interim Coach**: Ron Sanchez stepped in as interim head coach following Tony Bennett’s unexpected retirement in October, just weeks before the season began.
– **Bennett’s Departure**: Bennett cited the changing landscape of college athletics, particularly the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, as a reason for his retirement. He expressed concerns about the current state of college basketball, stating, “The game in college athletics is not in a healthy spot.”
### Virginia’s Recent Struggles
– **Tournament Upsets**: Virginia has faced challenges in recent tournaments, being upset as a No. 4 seed in both 2021 and 2023, and failing to advance past the First Four last year.
– **NIT Participation**: The Cavaliers participated in the NIT in 2022 and did not qualify for the NCAA tournament this year.
Odom’s hiring marks a significant chapter for Virginia basketball as they look to rebuild and regain their competitive edge. Will he be able to lead the Cavaliers back to prominence?
### FAQs:
**Q: Who is the new head coach of Virginia basketball?**
A: Ryan Odom has been hired as the new head coach of Virginia basketball, previously known for leading UMBC to a historic upset over Virginia in 2018.