There is going to be a lot of change next season when the 2025-26 college basketball season begins in terms of coaches in the ACC. It started back in October when Tony Bennett stepped down as Virginia's coach, which was a big surprise. Next, right after Christmas, Miami's Jim Larranaga stepped before conference play began in full.
North Carolina State fired Kevin Keatts on Sunday morning just one year after he took the Wolfpack through a memorable run through March, then Leonard Hamilton's tenure at Florida State ended with a loss to Syracuse in Charlotte as he goes off into retirement. They won five games in five days to win the ACC Tournament, then they made it to the Final Four with a run through the NCAA Tournament. After finishing in 16th place this season and missing the ACC Tournament, they decided to move on from him.
On Wednesday, just three hours after being eliminated in the second round of the ACC Tournament by Georgia Tech, 66-60, Virginia fired interim coach Ron Sanchez. He was left in a tough situation when Bennett stepped down abruptly, and after finishing the season 15-17, he was quickly relieved of his duties.
Now the question is, where do the Cavaliers go from here? With the transfer portal opening on March 24 and things happening quickly, you have to think that this would be a quick hiring process. Ryan Odom at VCU is someone who could be a candidate and last Wednesday, Richard Pitino at New Mexico is someone who could be a candidate.
You would have to think that NC State and Virginia would be some sought-after jobs and could draw some interesting candidates. Recruiting and the transfer portal will likely speed up the process, and the Virginia hiring is one Virginia Tech fans should watch closely.