Report: Ryan Odom expected to become next Virginia basketball coach

VCU‘s Ryan Odom has emerged as the primary target in Virginia‘s search for its next head coach, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Thamel expects a deal to “come together” in the upcoming days.

Odom has been the head coach at VCU for the past two seasons. In his debut campaign with the Rams, Odom led the team to a 24-14 record and an appearance in the NIT. However, Odom and Co. took a leap forward this season and were the regular-season and conference tournament champions of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

VCU was unable to keep its magical season alive on Thursday and fell 80-71 to 6-seed BYU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Nonetheless, VCU fans won’t forget this season anytime soon.

The Virginia faithful likely won’t forget this past season either but for far different reasons. Just weeks before the Cavaliers kicked off the season, longtime head coach Tony Bennett shocked fans by announcing his retirement, claiming he was no longer as passionate about the job.

“I didn’t want to have that regret of being 80% of what I could be. Because it’s a fine line here,” Bennett said at the time. “We don’t have all the things the others have in terms of five-stars – we’ve got good players – but it’s a way that you have to build them.

“If I’m 70%, 80%, that’s not fair to the players. You know what? This staff, they’re the one that are thinking they can handle this model better than I can. And until it changes, no one will be able to handle it fully, but that’s what led to it all this time.”

Bennett had been the head coach at UVA since 2009 and finished with a 364-136 record in Charlottesville. During that time, the Cavaliers won six ACC regular-season titles and won the 2019 national championship.

With Bennett’s unexpected departure, Virginia was left with no choice but to name an assistant coach as the interim head coach for the 2024-25 season. Ron Sanchez ultimately served in that role, leading Virginia to a 15-17 record and an 8-12 mark in conference play.

Evidently, Virginia wasn’t satisfied with Sanchez’s success this season and is now targeting Odom. The 50-year-old also has head coaching experience at Utah State (2021-23), UMBC (2016-21) and Lenoire-Rhyne (2015-16). He led the former two schools to one NCAA Tournament each.

Odom’s NCAA Tournament appearance with UMBC was particularly memorable since he led his team to knock off No. 1 seed Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. UMBC was the first 16-seed to ever upset a 1-seed.

Now, it appears Ryan Odom may have a full-circle moment and take over the program he once hurt so deeply. As of this report, no contract has been signed.