The shockwaves from Tony Bennett’s abrupt retirement are still reverberating through the world of college basketball, leaving coaches, players, and fans grappling with the implications of his decision. As the sport navigates an era of unprecedented change, two of the Big 12’s most prominent coaches, Bill Self of Kansas and Scott Drew of Baylor, have stepped forward to share their perspectives on Bennett’s departure and the evolving landscape of the game they love.
A Changing Game
In recent years, college basketball has undergone a metamorphosis, shaped by forces both on and off the court. Conference realignment, the transfer portal, and the influx of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money have transformed the sport, presenting coaches with new challenges and opportunities alike.
In any profession there’s always going to be change. We’ve just had an enormous amount in the last couple of years.
– Scott Drew, Baylor Head Coach
Drew, who led the Bears to a national championship in 2021, acknowledges the difficulties posed by the rapidly shifting landscape. “We’re still going through transition right now, and it’s probably going to take time for everything to settle,” he noted, lamenting the loss of talented coaches like Bennett in the process.
The Toll on Coaches
For many coaches, the demands of the modern game have become overwhelming. The constant pressure to recruit, retain players, and navigate the complexities of NIL deals has left some feeling burned out and disillusioned.
The game and college athletics is not in a healthy spot. There needs to be change.
– Tony Bennett, Former Virginia Head Coach
Bennett’s sentiments echo those of Jay Wright, another coaching legend who stepped away from the game in recent years. Wright, who led Villanova to two national titles, cited burnout as a primary factor in his decision to retire at the age of 60.
Finding Balance
Amid the turmoil, some coaches remain optimistic about the future of college basketball. Bill Self, who has guided Kansas to two national championships, believes that the sport will eventually find its equilibrium.
I do feel like it’s a very uncertain world we’re living in right now from a college athletics standpoint, but I do think it will balance out.
– Bill Self, Kansas Head Coach
Self acknowledges the challenges faced by coaches in the current environment but maintains that adaptation and creativity will be key to navigating the new normal.
Embracing Opportunity
For some coaches, the changing landscape presents an opportunity to innovate and thrive. Kansas State’s Jerome Tang, who led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in his debut season, views the transfer portal and NIL as tools to rapidly reshape his roster and compete at the highest level.
All these changes, we’re all facing it, so you adapt or you get left (behind). For me, it’s a challenge every day.
– Jerome Tang, Kansas State Head Coach
Tang’s embrace of the new reality reflects a growing sentiment among younger coaches who see the current upheaval as a chance to make their mark on the sport.
The Road Ahead
As college basketball grapples with the loss of another iconic coach and the ongoing evolution of the sport, the path forward remains uncertain. Will more coaching legends follow in the footsteps of Bennett and Wright, stepping away from the game they love? Or will a new generation of innovators rise to the challenge, harnessing the power of change to usher in a new era of excellence?
Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the game of college basketball is at a crossroads, and the choices made by coaches, administrators, and players in the coming years will shape the future of the sport for generations to come.
As the Big 12’s coaching luminaries grapple with the implications of Bennett’s retirement and the shifting sands beneath their feet, they do so with a mix of trepidation and resolve. For while change is never easy, it is often necessary—and those who adapt and persevere will be the ones who write the next chapter in the storied history of college basketball.
