2) Chicago Bulls surprise head coaching targets: Tony Bennett
Going with another hire from the college hoops ranks might not be a favorite move among Bulls fans. Given the way that the Hoiberg era ended with GarPax in the Windy City, turning to the college ranks is a path with a lot of resistance. But there are a few names that stick out among current college head coaches that make more sense now than Hoiberg did when he was hired five years ago.
One of those names that does stick out is the Virginia Cavaliers reigning National Championship-winning head coach Tony Bennett. The 51-year-old Green Bay, WI, native has coached with the Virginia basketball program for more than a decade now. His college hoops coaching career has now gone on for more than a dozen years too.
Is this the type of hire that would work out better in translation from the college to NBA ranks?
Bennett surely would have more momentum backing him than just about any other hire that the Bulls could make out of the college level. He is a four-time ACC Coach of the Year, and two-time AP Coach of the Year. In each of the last seven seasons, Virginia had an AP high ranking of at least six. And they’ve won the ACC regular season title four times, the conference tournament twice, made two Final Fours, and won one title.
Bennett is known for playing a very tight defensive game and a pretty conservative offensive scheme. The Hoos had the best defensive rating in the entire country during the 2019-20 season (85.8) and allowed the fewest points per game in the country (52.4).
If Bennett is available to interview, then it should be something that the Bulls at least look into since he brings a sparkling resume from the collegiate ranks to the table.