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The University of Virginia finally has it's successor to Tony Bennett's empire — and it's the man who nearly destroyed it.
The Cavaliers announced the hiring of Ryan Odom on Saturday, poaching the rising star from VCU, but its where Odom was coaching in 2018 that's way more relevant here. That year, Odom led UMBC to the first-ever NCAA tournament victory by a No. 16 seed. The No. 1 seed it defeated?
Yep, the Virginia Cavaliers.
However awkward this may seem on paper, it's actually a fantastic hire and an even better fit. Besides, there's not a school in Division I that wouldn't be OK losing to a No. 16 seed if it meant winning the national title the following year (like Virginia did in 2019).
Odom is an ACC guy through and through. The North Carolina native was an assistant at Virginia Tech from 2003-2010, but more importantly, he spent the bulk of his childhood in Charlottesville. His father, longtime Wake Forest coach Dave Odom, was a UVA assistant from 1982-1989 and Ryan served as the team's ballboy.
Now Odom returns to a Virginia team that desperately needs a boost.
After Bennett's shock retirement just before the start of the season, interim head coach Ron Sanchez sputtered to a 15-17 record (8-12 in ACC) and the team's worst season since Bennett's first season in 2009-10. Odom, meanwhile, went 52-21 in two seasons at VCU after going 44-25 at Utah State the two previous years.
The UMBC loss was an extreme low point for a team that had become one of college basketball's premier programs. It also might be exactly what helps the Cavaliers regain their footing and climb back on top of the sport.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Virginia hires Ryan Odom 7 years after UMBC's historic March upset
Continue reading...
The Cavaliers announced the hiring of Ryan Odom on Saturday, poaching the rising star from VCU, but its where Odom was coaching in 2018 that's way more relevant here. That year, Odom led UMBC to the first-ever NCAA tournament victory by a No. 16 seed. The No. 1 seed it defeated?
Yep, the Virginia Cavaliers.
However awkward this may seem on paper, it's actually a fantastic hire and an even better fit. Besides, there's not a school in Division I that wouldn't be OK losing to a No. 16 seed if it meant winning the national title the following year (like Virginia did in 2019).
!
Welcome back to Charlottesville, Coach Odom!
️ https://t.co/eOvaeKtOrb
#GoHoospic.twitter.com/3r7dqqS3rq
— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) March 22, 2025
Odom is an ACC guy through and through. The North Carolina native was an assistant at Virginia Tech from 2003-2010, but more importantly, he spent the bulk of his childhood in Charlottesville. His father, longtime Wake Forest coach Dave Odom, was a UVA assistant from 1982-1989 and Ryan served as the team's ballboy.
Now Odom returns to a Virginia team that desperately needs a boost.
After Bennett's shock retirement just before the start of the season, interim head coach Ron Sanchez sputtered to a 15-17 record (8-12 in ACC) and the team's worst season since Bennett's first season in 2009-10. Odom, meanwhile, went 52-21 in two seasons at VCU after going 44-25 at Utah State the two previous years.
The UMBC loss was an extreme low point for a team that had become one of college basketball's premier programs. It also might be exactly what helps the Cavaliers regain their footing and climb back on top of the sport.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Virginia hires Ryan Odom 7 years after UMBC's historic March upset
Continue reading...
