Ryan Odom Named Head Coach of Virginia Basketball

Ryan Odom has been appointed as the new head coach of the University of Virginia's men's basketball team, following Tony Bennett's unexpected retirement. Odom, who gained national attention for leading UMBC to an unprecedented victory over top-seeded Virginia in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, has spent the past two seasons at VCU, achieving a 52-21 record and winning the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament titles. His appointment comes after Ron Sanchez served as interim coach, leading Virginia to a 15-17 record. Odom has previously led teams at UMBC, Utah State, and VCU to NCAA tournaments, and he brings a strong connection to Virginia as his father, Dave Odom, was an assistant coach there in the 1980s. Odom's hiring signals a hope for rejuvenation in Virginia's program, which has struggled to replicate its 2019 national championship success in recent years.