CHARLOTTESVILLE—Some U.Va. fans like the Tony Bennett hire.  Others are less enthusiastic.  Everyone agrees, though, that a coach without roots in the ACC or this state will need a strong staff if the Cavaliers are to thrive.

One possibility for an assistant’s job at Virginia, several people have told me today, might be Liberty University head coach Ritchie McKay, a longtime friend of Bennett.

McKay also has been head coach at New Mexico, Portland State, Colorado State and Oregon State.  He’s been an assistant at Washington, Queens College in North Carolina, Bradley and Seattle Pacific, his alma mater.

As a head coach, his career record is 204-186.

In two seasons under McKay, the Flames are 39-28, including a 23-12 record in 2008-09.  Their most notable win under McKay came Nov. 25, when they stunned U.Va. 86-82 at John Paul Jones Arena.

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