CHARLOTTESVILLE – Two weeks ago today, Tony Bennett was hired as men’s basketball coach at U.Va.  In his introductory press conference two days later, Bennett said that assembling a staff was among his top priorities, and it appears that task may be complete.

Virginia’s assistants will be Ritchie McKay (whose official title is associate head coach), Jason Williford and Ron Sanchez, from what I hear.  The director of basketball operations is likely to be Brad Soucie, who was on McKay’s staffs at Portland State, Colorado State, Oregon State, New Mexico and, most recently, Liberty.

After McKay left Liberty to join Bennett’s new staff at U.Va. early this month, Soucie took over as interim head coach.  He was a candidate to replace McKay on a full-time basis, but Liberty hired Dale Layer last week.

Soucie played basketball at Eastern Michigan for two seasons before transferring to Christian Heritage College, now known as San Diego Christian, in California.  According to his bio on Liberty’s Web site, Soucie made eight three-pointers in Eastern Michigan’s game against Pittsburgh in the first round of the 1986 NCAA tournament.

Sanchez was on Bennett’s staff at Washington State.  So was Ronnie Wideman, whose title there was men’s basketball operations assistant.  Wideman is expected to fill an administrative position at U.Va.

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