Tony Bennett really is insane

by Grady Clapp on Mar 30, 2009 5:21 PM PDT

Some of the players' statuses on facebook:

Capers: I cant believe it. I cant believe it. I cant believe it.

Watson: As of today we do not have a coach because someone decided to take a new job at VIRGINIA.

Witherill: Decisions. Decisions.

It takes some real guts to blindside both your players and your fanbase.

I hate that the stupid plane is taking off at six. Someone, anyone, talk some sense into Tony. Does he have a clue what he's getting into? Does he know the UVA fans already think he's a bad fit?

Can't Dick Bennett give some quality advice here? Sterk? Anyone?

I guess it only takes a weekend to make the biggest mistake of your life.

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I would think that Tony would have already talked to his father about this decision long before any of us found out about it.

So therefore, my guess is that Dick is at least ‘OK’ with the decision, maybe not in favor of it, probably not what he would have done… but Dick is probably behind his son in this…

by cfred on Mar 30, 2009 5:25 PM PDT reply actions

If anybody is going down there,

I will bring my crappy video camera and post whatever is done/said.

by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 5:26 PM PDT reply actions

This would have made a good April Fools joke for tomorrow...

by cfred on Mar 30, 2009 5:34 PM PDT reply actions

Good God I hope it still is

by Grady Clapp on Mar 30, 2009 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Dick told him to take it

You can bet on it. He told him to take an awful Indiana program last year. Why would he see it differently this year with UVA.

by BornCoug on Mar 30, 2009 5:34 PM PDT reply actions

Yup

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I remember DB specifically saying

He doesn’t like to tell Tony what he should or shouldn’t do job-wise.

But in this case, Tony is making a huge mistake.

by Grady Clapp on Mar 30, 2009 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Grady, why do you think it's a "huge mistake"?

I am extremely disappointed and upset, but I think that Tony can and will be successful at UVA. That is one very fertile recruiting ground…they have a beautiful new arena…the school is prestigious…Charlottesville is a nice college town in a scenic area. So what is the downside?

I am angry at Tony and think he should not have left at this time, but I don’t see it as a “huge mistake” for him and his family. Anyone else see it this way?

by westsidecougar1 on Mar 30, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Huge mistake for these reasons

1. Your in the ACC, and your starting at the bottom. To compete in this conference, your going to need some time to build.
2. Remember, Tony’s truly successful years are built on teams his Dad prepped for him. We have yet to see him coach, as a head coach, any player from recruitment to graduation.
3. Fertile recruiting ground, yes. Virginia high on those players list, no. Your recruiting against Duke, NC, Wake, BC, Florida State. Those are just in your conference. The Big East is also right there, meaning UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Syracuse, Louiseville will be competing with you for a top tier recruit. Those are just teams that made the tourney this year.
4. With no ties to the conference, to the school, or to anything that would make this decision make sense, Tony has the pressure on him he has never had while at WSU. We loved him, he could do no wrong, and he had at 4-5 years of struggle before we’d consider even mentioning that he should go. 3-4 years of struggle and it won’t be rumblings he should go, it will be reality.

by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Overreaction on my part, but I do believe its a mistake

1. The fanbase is already against you. If you see the comments from the VA newspaper you’ll know why I say that
2. Bennett ball will get you to the middle, and maybe occasionally the upper part of the ACC. That’s good enough for us, but is it good enough for Virginia? Doubtful.
3. Tony will have to rebuild, and I don’t think VA will be patient enough to deal with some of the horrendous losses we shrugged off under Dick Bennett

by Grady Clapp on Mar 30, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions

#3 is really key

Bennett ball lends itself to some really tough growing pains. When UNC beats UVA by 40 next season, what will the alumni be saying?

by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions

indeed

that 71-29 sham of a game was our watershed moment. i’d hate to think what an acc team will do when it happens.

Witches of Eastman

by BigWood! on Mar 30, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought it was 81-29?

by westsidecougar1 on Mar 30, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions

UVA has nice facilities

They just built a new arena at least….

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Mar 30, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

He's after the $

It won’t work for him, coaches far more experienced than he have failed in Virginia and its not like he has ANY recruiting connections into a school that brings back not much for next year…

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Mar 30, 2009 5:35 PM PDT reply actions

Yest, but if he was after the $

Why did he turn down Indiana?

Unless, of course, he realized that the window of opportunity was closing on him.

by Grady Clapp on Mar 30, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions

It's funny

I haven’t been able to find the comment, but there was one in a Grippi post a couple of days ago where he made a joke about how he’s not so highly sought after now that he’s just had a .500 season. I took it as, “What a crazy system, I’m glad I’m in a place that believes in me.” Perhaps I should have taken it as, “Boy, if a job comes up now, I better take it!”

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions