"It's not going to go backwards": Ron Sanchez shows optimism as Virginia interim head coach despite Tony Bennett's opposite mindset

Ron Sanchez assumed the position of interim head coach for the Virginia men's basketball team last week after Tony Bennett announced his retirement. It came as a surprise to many as the veteran coach has led the Cavaliers to unparalleled success, including a national championship.

Sanchez, who re-joined Virginia as an associate coach under Bennett last season, now has just two weeks to prepare the team for the new season, which begins on Nov. 6 against Campbell.

On Wednesday, Ron Sanchez spoke to reporters for the first time as a caretaker coach during a Zoom press conference, addressing their questions. He was asked about Bennett's comments, where the former UVA coach sounded displeased about the current state of college basketball.

"As far as the state of college basketball, we all know where it is; it's changing drastically," Ron said.

"It's changing quickly, and I think we as coaches and athletic communities have to adapt to it. It's not going to go backwards. I still think that this game is fantastic. It's phenomenal for these young people to be a part of college basketball."

Sanchez, who previously served as the head coach of the Charlotte 49ers, also mentioned he is fortunate to get this chance to coach a top program.

Ron Sanchez was obsessed with basketball growing up

Ron Sanchez, born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, has been occupied with basketball since he was a kid.

During his press conference on Wednesday, he shared how he grew up consumed by the sport.

"[Basketball] became my positive addiction as a kid," Ron said. "And I just fell in love with the game because of what it could do as a community. We got together. We played, we sweated. It kept us out of trouble."

That childhood obsession with basketball led to playing the sport, and he eventually pursued a career in coaching.

Sanchez played for SUNY Oneonta and became the assistant coach there after graduation. While studying for his master's degree, Sanchez helped out as a volunteer assistant coach at Indiana University, working with Mike Davis.

After two seasons with the Hoosiers, Ron Sanchez worked under Tony Bennett when he became the head coach at Washington State. Sanchez went to Virginia with Bennett and worked as an assistant coach from 2009 to 2018.

Sanchez agreed to assume the coaching position at Charlotte and lead the 49ers to the CBI Championship last year. After five years in Charlotte, he went back to Virginia to reunite with Bennett as an associate coach.