Who is ex-Virginia HC Tony Bennett's wife? Know more about Laurel Bennett and retired coach's family

Former Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett and his wife, Laurel Bennett, have been married for almost three decades. Bennett, who led Virginia to six ACC regular season titles and one national championship, announced his immediate retirement on Thursday, a few weeks before the new season starts.

When Bennett almost declined the offer from Virginia in 2009, it was Laurel who played a big part in him taking the job. And it was during a fall break trip with Laurel that decided he was no longer fit for the job.

Learn more about the influential woman behind Tony Bennett, as well as the rest of the retired coach's family.

Tony Bennett's wife, Laurel Bennett

Tony Bennett, a two-time national coach of the year, met Laurel Purcell at a church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The duo was introduced to one another by Pastor David Chadwick.

Born in 1974, Laurel is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She completed her education at Louisiana State University, then relocated to Charlotte, where she began serving as a youth pastor in Chapel Hill.

At the same time, Bennett was playing in the NBA for the Charlotte Hornets. They got engaged in 1995 during a Green Bay ceremony to retire his number #25 jersey. In the presence of a crowd of six thousand cheering fans, Bennett knelt down and asked Laurel to marry him.

One year later, they tied the knot and moved to New Zealand after Bennett signed with the North Harbour Vikings in Auckland.

Laurel is a homemaker. She focuses on raising their kids, Anna and Eli, and taking care of her family.

"She's the brains behind our whole operation. She loves the Lord in a powerful way," Tony Bennett said, per billygraham.org.

Tony and Laurel are the parents of two children: a son named Eli and a daughter named Anna. Eli, a 6-foot-2 guard played college basketball at Charlotte after graduating from St. Anne's-Belfield School in Charlottesville.

Eli played a season for the 49ers appearing in only three games. He left the team after his freshman year. He currently plays in the Tonsler League.

Tony Bennett's parents

Bennett was born to Anne and Dick Bennett in Clintonville, Wisconsin. His father Dick was a former college basketball coach who spent four decades on the sidelines coaching at several programs.

His dad's most notable works include reaching the NCAA Final Four with the Wisconsin Badgers, winning two Mid-Con Tournaments with Green Bay and guiding Wisconsin-Stevens Point to four WIAC titles.

Tony Bennett's sister

Bennett was not the only one in the family who followed in the footsteps of their father. Her sister Kathi Bennett is also involved in basketball and is currently an assistant coach at Edgewood. She previously served as the head coach for the Northern Illinois women's basketball team.