Tony Bennett stood for more than basketball. That’s why he left.
Washington Post
Tony Bennett quit before he compromised. It was the most Bennett ending ever, the truest way a man of his conviction could say goodbye.
It doesn’t take 10 minutes around Bennett to appreciate his substance, to marvel at how well he understands himself, to feel the strength of his character regardless of whether his beliefs seem too idealistic or old-fashioned. He spent 18 years building a Hall of Fame coaching career with sincerity and grace. He developed his teams on five pillars, creating an indestructible standard. On Friday morning, he announced
his retirement as the men’s basketball coach at Virginia, giving it all up because he’s uncertain
he can tolerate the changing sport he loves... The anti-player compensation faction will use his retirement to emphasize the ills of paying athletes. However, Bennett made it clear that he faults the lack of leadership and regulation — not the players — for a chaotic system that has turned lenient new transfer rules and laughable name, image and likeness policies into a pay-for-play free agency in which coaches must deal with agents as much as parents. It became hard for Bennett to teach
his pillars — humility, passion, unity, servanthood and thankfulness — and guide players through the intricacies of his team’s playing style in an environment that breeds impatience and welcomes rapacious middle men...
