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Tony Bennett (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Guy Bennett (born June 1, 1969 in Green Bay, Wisconsin
) is an American
college basketball
coach and current head coach for the University of Virginia
Cavaliers men's team
. Previously, he played professionally for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets and was later head coach at Washington State University
. As a player, he ranks first all-time in NCAA career three-point field goal
accuracy, at 49.7%. He is the son of former coach Dick Bennett
and brother of women's head coach Kathi Bennett
.
As a coach, he was awarded the Henry Iba Award
and was honored as AP National Coach of the Year
and Naismith College Coach of the Year
in 2007. As a player, he won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
in 1992.
, played for his father Dick Bennett
at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (UWGB) following his high school career at Preble High School
. While there, the Bennetts led the Phoenix to an NCAA Tournament
berth and two appearances in the NIT
. During his time there, the Phoenix had record of 87–34 (.719) en route to Bennett being named conference player of the year twice. He won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
given to the nation's most outstanding senior under six feet tall and was named the 1992 GTE Academic All-American of the year. He also started for a bronze-medal winning 1991 Pan-American Games team led by Gene Keady
. He finished his collegiate career as the Mid-Continent Conference's all-time leader in points (2,285) and assists (601). He still ranks as the NCAA's all-time leader in 3-point percentage (.497).
by the Charlotte Hornets. He spent three seasons (1992–1995) with the Hornets before a foot injury abruptly ended his NBA career. He briefly attempted a comeback and played 10 games for the Sydney Kings
in Australia
's National Basketball League
season in 1997.
's staff. After his father retired, Bo Ryan
retained Bennett on his staff. Bennett would remain with the Badgers
until 2003, when his father came out of retirement to coach Washington State
. Bennett was designated as his father's successor, and he inherited the position of head coach at Washington State University when his father retired after the 2005–06 NCAA season
.
His 26 wins in both the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons each tied the Washington State school record set by the 1940–41 team that lost in the championship game of that year's NCAA tournament
.
Tony Bennett led the 2006–07 Cougar basketball team to a 26–8 (13–5 Pac-10, second place) record and the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Cougars earned a #3 seed and defeated Oral Roberts
in the opening round before falling to Vanderbilt in double overtime in the 2nd round. Bennett tied the WSU school record for wins. The NCAA tournament
appearance was the first for the Cougars since 1994
.
After the 2006–07 season, Bennett was named the AP college basketball Coach of the Year
and the Naismith College Coach of the Year
. He also won the Henry Iba Award
by vote of the United States Basketball Writers Association
, and was named the Rivals.com
Coach of the Year.
During the 2007–08 basketball season, Tony Bennett finished with a 26–9 record (11–7 in the Pac-10). He also went on to lead the Cougars to the Sweet Sixteen after beating Winthrop
in the first round and Notre Dame in the second. After losing to North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen, Bennett's team had tied the school record for wins, with 26, for the second consecutive season.
Having lost several key players to graduation the year before, Tony Bennett finished the 2008-09 basketball season
with a 17-16 record (8-10 in the Pac-10). His team missed the NCAA Tournament
, but qualified for the NIT
as a #7 seed, losing to #2 seed St. Mary's
in the first round.
on March 31, 2009. His team began coming together later the same day, as Ritchie McKay
, then head coach of the Liberty Flames
, stepped down from his position to become Bennett's associate head coach. The Cavaliers got off to a 5–2 start in Atlantic Coast Conference
play, and 12–3 overall, but dropped their next 11 conference games and finished the season 15–16 (5–11 in the ACC).
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach and current head coach for the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
Cavaliers men's team
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
. Previously, he played professionally for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets and was later head coach at Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. As a player, he ranks first all-time in NCAA career three-point field goal
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
accuracy, at 49.7%. He is the son of former coach Dick Bennett
Dick Bennett
Dick Bennett is an American college basketball coach who is best known for revitalizing the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program...
and brother of women's head coach Kathi Bennett
Kathi Bennett
-Biography:Bennett is the daughter of former Green Bay Phoenix, Wisconsin Badgers, and Washington State Cougars head coach Dick Bennett. Her brother is former NBA player and now Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett...
.
As a coach, he was awarded the Henry Iba Award
Henry Iba Award
The Henry Iba Award was established in 1959 to recognize the best college basketball coach of the year by the United States Basketball Writers Association . Five nominees are presented and the individual with the most votes receives the award, which is presented in conjunction with the Final Four....
and was honored as AP National Coach of the Year
Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year
The Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year award was established in 1967 to recognize the best men's college basketball coach of the year, as voted upon by the Associated Press...
and Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year Award is an award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to one men's and one women's NCAA Division I collegiate coach each season since 1987...
in 2007. As a player, he won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award is an annual college basketball award in the United States intended to honor shorter–than–average players who excel on the court despite their size. The award, named in honor of James Naismith's daughter–in–law, was established for men in 1969 and for women in 1984...
in 1992.
College
Bennett, a point guardPoint guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
, played for his father Dick Bennett
Dick Bennett
Dick Bennett is an American college basketball coach who is best known for revitalizing the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program...
at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (UWGB) following his high school career at Preble High School
Preble High School
Preble High School is a public high school in the Green Bay, Wisconsin School District. The school draws students from Green Bay, Bellevue, and New Franken...
. While there, the Bennetts led the Phoenix to an NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
berth and two appearances in the NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
. During his time there, the Phoenix had record of 87–34 (.719) en route to Bennett being named conference player of the year twice. He won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award is an annual college basketball award in the United States intended to honor shorter–than–average players who excel on the court despite their size. The award, named in honor of James Naismith's daughter–in–law, was established for men in 1969 and for women in 1984...
given to the nation's most outstanding senior under six feet tall and was named the 1992 GTE Academic All-American of the year. He also started for a bronze-medal winning 1991 Pan-American Games team led by Gene Keady
Gene Keady
Lloyd Eugene "Gene" Keady is a basketball coach. Currently an assistant coach at St. John's, he is most notable for being the head basketball coach at Purdue University for 25 years, from 1980 to 2005.-Kansas State :...
. He finished his collegiate career as the Mid-Continent Conference's all-time leader in points (2,285) and assists (601). He still ranks as the NCAA's all-time leader in 3-point percentage (.497).
Professional
Bennett went on to be picked 35th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft1992 NBA Draft
The 1992 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1992, in Portland, Oregon. At the time, the draft was considered to be one of the deepest drafts in NBA history. The top three picks were considered can't-miss prospects. O'Neal and Mourning are likely Hall of Famers...
by the Charlotte Hornets. He spent three seasons (1992–1995) with the Hornets before a foot injury abruptly ended his NBA career. He briefly attempted a comeback and played 10 games for the Sydney Kings
Sydney Kings
The Sydney Kings are a professional basketball team competing in the Australasian National Basketball League. They are the only team to date to win three consecutive championships in the NBL and currently sit third behind the Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne Tigers two away from the record five wins...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's National Basketball League
National Basketball League (Australia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
season in 1997.
Washington State
Bennett began his college coaching career at the University of Wisconsin as a member of his fatherDick Bennett
Dick Bennett is an American college basketball coach who is best known for revitalizing the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program...
's staff. After his father retired, Bo Ryan
Bo Ryan
William "Bo" Francis Ryan, Jr. is an American college basketball coach and current head coach of the University of Wisconsin–Madison men's basketball team.-Playing career:...
retained Bennett on his staff. Bennett would remain with the Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball
The Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team is a NCAA Division I college basketball team competing in the Big Ten Conference. Home games are played at the Kohl Center, located on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus in Madison, Wisconsin....
until 2003, when his father came out of retirement to coach Washington State
Washington State Cougars men's basketball
The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team represents Washington State University and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I...
. Bennett was designated as his father's successor, and he inherited the position of head coach at Washington State University when his father retired after the 2005–06 NCAA season
2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 6, 2005, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 3, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana...
.
His 26 wins in both the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons each tied the Washington State school record set by the 1940–41 team that lost in the championship game of that year's NCAA tournament
1941 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.-See also:* 1941 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament...
.
2006–07 season
Tony Bennett led the 2006–07 Cougar basketball team to a 26–8 (13–5 Pac-10, second place) record and the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Cougars earned a #3 seed and defeated Oral Roberts
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Basketball team is the basketball team that represent Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The school's team currently competes in The Summit League. The team earned an automatic berth in the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. It was their third...
in the opening round before falling to Vanderbilt in double overtime in the 2nd round. Bennett tied the WSU school record for wins. The NCAA tournament
2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 NCAA schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2006–07 basketball season...
appearance was the first for the Cougars since 1994
1994 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1994 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 17, 1994, and ended with the championship game on April 4 in Charlotte, North Carolina...
.
After the 2006–07 season, Bennett was named the AP college basketball Coach of the Year
Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year
The Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year award was established in 1967 to recognize the best men's college basketball coach of the year, as voted upon by the Associated Press...
and the Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year Award is an award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to one men's and one women's NCAA Division I collegiate coach each season since 1987...
. He also won the Henry Iba Award
Henry Iba Award
The Henry Iba Award was established in 1959 to recognize the best college basketball coach of the year by the United States Basketball Writers Association . Five nominees are presented and the individual with the most votes receives the award, which is presented in conjunction with the Final Four....
by vote of the United States Basketball Writers Association
United States Basketball Writers Association
The United States Basketball Writers Association was founded in 1956 by Walter Byers and serves the interests of journalists who cover college basketball.-Scholarships:...
, and was named the Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
Coach of the Year.
2007–08 season
During the 2007–08 basketball season, Tony Bennett finished with a 26–9 record (11–7 in the Pac-10). He also went on to lead the Cougars to the Sweet Sixteen after beating Winthrop
Winthrop Eagles men's basketball
The Winthrop Eagles basketball team represents Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina and competes in the Big South Conference. The Eagles are currently coached by Randy Peele and play their home games in the 6,100 seat Winthrop Coliseum. Winthrop has appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments...
in the first round and Notre Dame in the second. After losing to North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen, Bennett's team had tied the school record for wins, with 26, for the second consecutive season.
2008–09 season
Having lost several key players to graduation the year before, Tony Bennett finished the 2008-09 basketball season
2008–09 Washington State Cougars men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Washington State Cougars men's basketball team represents Washington State University for the 2008-09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team plays its home games on Jack Friel Court in Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Washington....
with a 17-16 record (8-10 in the Pac-10). His team missed the NCAA Tournament
2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009-Qualifying teams:-Brackets:Results to date * – Denotes overtime periodAll times in U.S. EDT....
, but qualified for the NIT
2009 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals and finals:Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 31 and April 2* denotes each overtime played-NIT Championship:...
as a #7 seed, losing to #2 seed St. Mary's
Saint Mary's College Gaels men's basketball
The Saint Mary's College Gaels men's basketball team represents Saint Mary's College in Moraga, California, competing in the West Coast Conference of the NCAA. The team plays home games in the McKeon Pavilion, capacity 3,500; it is one of the smaller gyms in the WCC. The current head coach is Randy...
in the first round.
Virginia
Bennett was named head coach at VirginiaVirginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
on March 31, 2009. His team began coming together later the same day, as Ritchie McKay
Ritchie McKay
Ritchie Lawrence McKay is an assistant coach for the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team. Previously, the Indianapolis, Indiana native was the head coach of Liberty University, the University of New Mexico, Oregon State, Colorado State, and Portland State.-Biography:McKay got his first head...
, then head coach of the Liberty Flames
Liberty Flames
The Liberty University Flames are the athletics teams of Liberty University. The Liberty Flames are a member of the NCAA Division I level in 18 sports...
, stepped down from his position to become Bennett's associate head coach. The Cavaliers got off to a 5–2 start in Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
play, and 12–3 overall, but dropped their next 11 conference games and finished the season 15–16 (5–11 in the ACC).