Virginia Men’s Basketball promotes Jason Williford and Orlando Vandross

The University of Virginia announced Tuesday afternoon that Coach Bennett has promoted Jason Williford to Associate Head Coach and Orlando Vandross to Assistant Coach.

Williford was bumped up from the assistant coach position which he has occupied for all nine seasons along Tony Bennett. An alum of the Virginia basketball program, Williford has been a mainstay in Charlottesville. Said Bennett in Virginia’s press release: “One of the best decisions I made when I first got the job here was to hire Jason Williford. His loyalty to our program, his passion for the players and his ability to recruit made this an easy decision.”

Vandross has been the director of recruiting and player development for his three years at UVA before the promotion to assistant coach. “I am really excited for Orlando and this opportunity. Throughout his coaching career, he has built many relationships in the recruiting world that can benefit our program,” Bennett said. “Orlando’s helped us get involved with a lot of players during his three years at UVA. He’s driven, has strong character and extensive knowledge of the game.”

Bennett and Vandross visited one of those players - 2019 C DJ Burns - recently.

These positions opened up thanks to the departure of Ron Sanchez, who left Virginia to become the head coach at Charlotte.

This news comes just one day after the Hoos announced WNBA legend Tina Thompson will be Virginia’s next women’s head coach.