Ryan Odom Emerges as Top Contender for UVA Basketball Head Coach Role

RICHMOND, Va. — Ryan Odom, the current head coach of the VCU Rams, is widely regarded as the frontrunner to succeed Tony Bennett as the head coach of the University of Virginia men’s basketball team.

Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, UVA announced that interim head coach Ron Sanchez would not return, paving the way for an extensive search to find a new leader for the program.

Odom’s impressive track record includes guiding UMBC to a historic upset over Virginia in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament. He departed UMBC after compiling a 97-60 record, then transitioned to Utah State, where he notched a remarkable 26-9 record in his second season, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament once again.

Since taking over at VCU, Odom has maintained his success, amassing a 49-20 record over the past two seasons. In his first season, he led the Rams to a 24-14 finish and an NIT quarterfinals berth. This season, VCU finished first in the Atlantic 10 regular season, securing an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

“I think my background plays a role in how I approach this opportunity,” Odom remarked, reflecting on his deep ties to the program. His father, Dave Odom, served as an assistant coach at UVA during the 1980s. Ryan also spent his youth as a ball boy at University Hall.

The tremendous success Odom has experienced at multiple institutions has solidified his status as a desirable candidate. His coaching philosophy emphasizes a defensive strategy, while also creating advantageous offensive opportunities using high-volume three-point shooting.

Despite the interest from UVA, Odom’s future is not yet set in stone, as he has been connected to potential openings at NC State and Villanova. The upcoming NCAA Tournament may further influence his decision, as both teams will be monitoring his performance closely.

With the transfer portal opening soon, many UVA players are expected to consider their options, emphasizing the urgency of hiring a new coach. The university is striving to finalize a candidate before the portal opens on March 24.

Odom’s tenure at VCU not only reflects his ability to build competitive programs but also highlights his reputation as an adaptable coach capable of responding to the changing dynamics of college basketball.

“I love this team and the environment we’ve built here,” Odom stated. “But I also understand the nature of college athletics. We’ll see what happens next.”