CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WAVY) -- It's a major shock for the world of college sports. 55-year-old UVA men's basketball head coach Tony Bennett, the winningest coach in UVA men's basketball history, is expected to announce his immediate retirement less than three weeks before the Hoos' 2024-25 season opener. UVA Athletics confirmed the news first broken by Jeff Goodman, but didn't share why Bennett has decided to retire. Goodman later confirmed there were no health issues that factored in Bennett's decision, which was likely due to recent shifts in the college sports landscape. Bennett has talked about the challenges brought by NIL and the transfer portal, and how he's had to adjust. UVA said Bennett, who just signed a multi-year extension over the summer, will make the announcement in a press conference at John Paul Jones Arena on Friday at 11 a.m. BREAKING: Tony Bennett to announce his immediate retirement in a press conference on Friday at 11 a.m. pic.twitter.com/jw9HYtyYaq— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) October 17, 2024 Bennett, a three-time National Coach of the Year, led the Cavaliers to a 364-136 record in 15 seasons, winning the program's only men's basketball national title in 2019. He also boasts two ACC Tournament titles, six ACC regular-season championships and 10 NCAA tournament appearances. Bennett is among a handful of legendary college coaches to announce their retirement in recent years, including ACC icons Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim. Dean Smith announced his retirement on Oct. 9, 1997, so this is surprising, but not completely unprecedented.— Shane Mettlen (@Shane_DNRSports) October 17, 2024 Jay Wright, who led Villanova to national titles in 2016 and 2018, abruptly retired himself at age 60 back in 2022. ESPN's Jeff Borzello said he recently talked to Bennett about the possibility of retiring like Wright, and Bennett gave this response: I asked Tony Bennett literally last week why so many people thought he could be the next Jay Wright and suddenly retire out of nowhere.His response, verbatim: "I gotta call Jay Wright and see what he says, right? I always have said, when you're doing this, you're in this…— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) October 17, 2024 The news sent shockwaves around the college athletics landscape, with coaches across the country sharing praise for Bennett. "College basketball just lost a man with incredible class, humility, and dignity," said St. John's head coach Rick Pitino. "Tony Bennett is an awesome teacher of our game. You will be deeply missed!" "We’re losing someone that belongs on the Mount Rushmore of college basketball the last two decades," Liberty head coach Richie McKay told sportswriter Mike Barber. UVA was picked to finish 5th in the league this season after going 23-11 overall in 2023-24, with a 13-7 conference record. Bennett's replacement meanwhile has also yet to be announced, though it could be associate head coach Ron Sanchez. He returned to UVA's staff in June 2023 after serving as Charlotte's head coach from 2018-23. Bennett's other associate head coach, Jason Williford, could also take the helm. The former UVA player has been with the program for 16 years. This is a breaking article and will be updated.