University of Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett declined a pay raise the year after leading his team to its first NCAA title in history.
Bennett, 50, finished his 10th season with the Cavaliers and instead of accepting a pay raise from the university asked the school to reinvest the funds into additional compensation for staff and further program improvements for the school’s athletic department, according to ABC 13.
“I have more than I need,” Bennett told athletic director Carla Williams. “I’m blessed beyond what I deserve.”
Bennett brings in $4.15 million with his current contract, making him the fourth-highest paid NCAA men’s basketball coach in the country. Despite the already high salary, Williams expressed shock at the pay-bump rejection.
“This just does not happen in our industry,” Williams said.
“President [Jim] Ryan and Carla were very gracious in what they offered to me as a potential contract, but I have a very good contract,” Bennett said. ”I have more than enough, and if there are ways that this can help out the athletic department, the other programs and coaches, by not tying up so much [in men’s basketball], that’s my desire.”
Bennett and his wife, Laurel, has also pledged $500,000 for a career-development program for current and former members of the university basketball team. The coach, who has a 254-89 record, has based his basketball program on the biblical tenets of passion, humility, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness.
“Tony’s decision — to turn down a well-deserved raise and instead invest in his players and UVA athletics more broadly — tells you everything you need to know about him as a leader and as a human being,” Ryan, 53, said. “Tony is one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met, and this is just the latest example.”
“For those of you who had faith in this team, it was perfectly placed.” – President Ryan
Thank you @presjimryan and @ADWilliamsUVA for everything! ?⚔️? #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/2kK6DT9q86
— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) September 13, 2019
