NCAAM teams
Jeff Goodman, ESPN Insider 6y

Charlotte hires Virginia assistant Ron Sanchez as head coach

Men's College Basketball, Charlotte 49ers, Virginia Cavaliers

Charlotte has hired Virginia assistant Ron Sanchez as its next head coach, the school announced Monday. He will be introduced at a news conference next week.

"Ron Sanchez embodies everything we could possibly want in a head basketball coach," Charlotte athletic director Mike Hill said in a statement. "His reputation is impeccable as a teacher, leader, assessor and developer of talent, and recruiter. Most importantly, he is a man of high character and integrity."

Sanchez was an assistant coach on Tony Bennett's staff for three years at Washington State and the past nine in Charlottesville. Virginia was upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament last week by 16th-seeded UMBC after winning both the ACC regular-season and tournament titles.

"I have waited a long time for the right fit and I truly believe in the leadership of this department," Sanchez said. "I cannot be more excited to get started. Obviously, I would not be here without the help of both Dick and Tony Bennett. I learned so much from them during my time at Washington State and Virginia. My wife and children are also very excited to be part of the 49ers family."

Sanchez becomes the 11th men's basketball coach in Charlotte history and will have the task of rebuilding a struggling program. Charlotte has not won 20 games in a season since 2013 and has not made the NCAA tournament since 2005.

Sanchez will replace former NBA player Mark Price, who was fired midway through the season after 2½ years at the helm. Houston Fancher served as interim coach, but he was not retained.

Longtime athletic director Judy Rose was replaced by Hill, who came over from Florida and was looking for a young assistant to revive the program following a 13-17 season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

^ Back to Top ^