(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Three years after taking over the reigns from Dick Bennett, son Tony delivered 69 wins, three post-season victories, two NCAA tournament appearances and one collective punch to the gut of Cougars around the country.
Sadly, it feels all of the aforementioned list have been negated by Bennett’s last move as the WSU head coach.
Monday afternoon, reports surfaced that Bennett had announced his decision to accept the head coaching position at the University of Virginia. Within minutes of the reports, my cell phone was bombarded with text messages from friends hoping I had some inside information that could negate the reports and restore their sanity.
Sadly, my sources confirmed their worst fears. Tony Bennett—once looked upon as the savior of WSU hoops—was gone.
Sadness immediately shifted to outrage as more details surfaced about the events that led to Bennett’s swift departure—a departure that took everyone by surprise.
The players, the coaches and the administration. None saw it coming. Then, shortly after 2 pm, players were called into a meeting at Beasley Coliseum where Bennett broke the news.
“In the end it’s a business decision for coach Bennett and he has to look at it for his family and what he thinks is best,” freshman guard Marcus Capers told Vince Grippi of the Spokesman Review. “I’m not mad on that part, but he told my mom he was going to stay here so I’m a little hurt by that.”
Just one year ago, Bennett turned down overtures from Indiana, Marquette, LSU and California, signing a contract extension and re-affirming his commitment to Cougar basketball.
“I will remain as the head coach at Washington State and I look forward to building for the future” Bennett said. “I am thankful for the opportunity this university gave me to become head coach and for the continued support of President Floyd, Jim Sterk and the entire Cougar Nation. Washington State University is a special place.”
If Tony Bennett is committed to Cougar basketball, then I’m Brad Pitt.
It’s not so much the fact that Bennett left Washington State for more money that is bothersome. It’s the fact that his move to Virginia seems to be a lateral one in terms of program prestige. It’s the fact that he left his players high and dry after coaxing them to WSU on family principles.
For the last three years, Coach Bennett preached the five principles of Cougar basketball: humility, passion, unity, servant hood and thankfulness. He recruited Capers, DeAngelo Casto and James Watson to Pullman based on promises that he would be there to mentor them through their college careers after surviving difficult childhoods.
But, due to a swift courtship by Virginia, those promises will go largely unfulfilled.
Aftermath
Once it became official, news of Tony Bennett’s departure drew flavorful responses around Cougar nation. Several heartbroken ladies pondered what to do with their, “Our coach is hotter than yours,” shirts. I quickly suggested they save them for times when toilet paper is scarce.
“Tony Phony Bologne,” one person wrote on Cougfan.com.
“Is this an early April Fools joke,” ASWSU President Brandon Scheller asked.
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