www.roanoke.com

Seattle Times columnist Bud Withers wrote in a column updated earlier this evening that new Virginia men's basketball coach Tony Bennett is thought to be bringing only one assistant with him from Washington State, Ron Sanchez.

Sanchez is in his sixth year on the Cougars' staff, the first three as coordinator of basketball operations. Born in the Dominican Republic, Sanchez lists New York as his hometown. He played at Oneonta (N.Y.) State and spent two years as a volunteer assistant at Indiana.

Here is Virginia Tech's depth chart heading into start of Wednesday's opening day of spring drills. Workouts conclude with the annual Maroon-White spring game on April 25 at 2 p.m. at Lane Stadium:

OFFENSE
LT Ed Wang Nick Becton
LG Greg Nosal Will Alvarez
C Beau Warren Michael Via/Richard Graham

RG Jaymes Brooks Vinston Painter Read more »

CHARLOTTESVILLE—Tony Bennett, the men’s head basketball coach at Washington State University for the last three years, is the new men’s head basketball coach at the University of Virginia, UVa Athletics Director Craig Littlepage announced today.

“Tony Bennett comes to the University of Virginia with a plan to build our program,” Littlepage said.  “He is an outstanding basketball coach and is a perfect fit for UVa.  He has all of the needed coaching and leadership skills along with an understanding of how to succeed in a highly competitive academic and basketball environment.  He has demonstrated success in the Pacific-10 Conference. His teams have beaten the elite programs in that conference and he will bring the same type of success and energy to the University of Virginia.” Read more »

Just overheard my wife telling somebody over the phone, "They can't do anything right."

I think she was talking about Virginia's new men's basketball coach.

I'm going to reserve judgment. Read more »

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University Director of Athletics Jim Sterk confirmed that men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Virginia.

“Dick and Tony Bennett have elevated the men’s basketball program at Washington State to an unprecedented level of success,” Sterk said. “We will begin a national search for a coach immediately with the goal of finding someone with the integrity, experience, and values that Dick and Tony brought to the program.” Read more »

Went into the office to dig up Dell Curry's phone number (Seth is transferring to Duke) and had two voice messages.

One caller wanted Rick Carlisle as Virginia's new coach. The other wanted Bobby Knight.

Hey, I wouldn't mind Bobby Knight. I'd love to cover him once in my career. And, I think it would create a lot of buzz for UVa men's basketball at the front end. Read more »

Some time ago, I quit archiving my UVa Insider columns because I was convinced I could find whatever I wanted with a simple google search.

So it was that I went looking for a column that I swear I remember writing in the spring of 2005, the last time that Virginia was looking for a new men’s basketball coach. Read more »

Minnesota's loss to Texas in the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, coupled with a pair of Oklahoma victories, works to Virginia's advantage in its search for a new coach.

The way I see it, Virginia should know by next week whether it has any chance at Minnesota coach Tubby Smith. If not, the Cavaliers can turn their full attention to Sooners' coach Jeff Capel.

Smith would come at a much higher price tag than Capel, but I don't think money will be an issue this time. It wouldn't have been an issue with Smith in 2005 if UVa president John Casteen hadn't nixed the deal.

Arena benefactor Paul Tudor Jones was behind the bid for Smith in 2005 and he's involved again this time, from all indications.

I don't know who Virginia would turn to if Smith and Capel both say no. It's interesting to note that Siena coach Fran McCaffrey, who led the Saints to a first-round victory over Ohio State and had them on the brink of a monumental upset of Louisville, once worked as an assistant under Craig Littlepage.

Oklahoma's 73-63 victory over Michigan in the NCAA Tournament's second round

By DOUG DOUGHTY

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- In trying to collect my thoughts after watching Virginia’s pro timing day, here’s the first thing that came to mind:

There was a lot of talent on a 2008 UVa team that finished 5-7.

First, you’ve got the five players who participated in the NFL Combine. They were offensive guard Eugene Monroe, outside linebacker Clint Sintim, running back Cedric Peerman, wide receiver Kevin Ogletree and tight end John Phillips. Read more »

Dave Leitao Resigns As UVa’s Men’s Head Basketball Coach

CHARLOTTESVILLE--Craig Littlepage, University of Virginia director of athletics, today announced the resignation of Dave Leitao as men’s head basketball coach, effective immediately.

Littlepage met with Leitao earlier today to discuss the future of the men’s basketball program. At that time, Leitao, who has just concluded his fourth season at the University, determined it was in the best interest of the program to step down. Read more »