Fans Try (Unsuccessfully) To Keep Bennett At WSU

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Story Published: Mar 31, 2009 at 9:42 PM PST

By Keith Leventhal

If you are a Washington State basketball fan, this is a week you will not forget.

Head coach Tony Bennett surprised everyone Monday when he announced he was leaving WSU and going to the University of Virginia.

And there were some fans in Pullman that tried to keep coach Bennett in town.

Several fans got together at the Pullman airport Monday night and made a last ditch effort to convince Bennett to stay with the Cougs.

Of course, Bennett just waved and smiled...then got on the plane and headed east.

Many of those who came to the airport were students...and they weren't real happy with the way this whole thing played out.

WSU fan Steve Yelenich says, "There's a lot of angry people, just the fact that he kind of came out of nowhere and did it, and especially, like we said earlier, he's turned down some better jobs and it seems like he's not really taking a step up."

WSU studen Kevin Kefe adds, "Its a little bitter, I mean, I think he should have maybe said something, I mean, just, he's just taking off tonight, I think he just could have left on maybe better terms."

The Cougs aren't going to waste any time finding Bennett's replacement.

Washington State athletic director Jim Sterk said they hope to hire a new coach within a week.

And right now, the top candidates are Portland State's Ken Bone, Bill Grier from San Diego, St. Mary's coach Randy Bennett, and Gonzaga assistant Ray Giacoletti.

Meanwhile, we're learning a little more about why Bennett decided to take the Virginia job.

And one of the big reasons is...lots and lots of money.

Bennett will reportedly sign a 5 year contract that will pay him $1.7 million per season...he was making about a million dollars a year with the Cougs.

In addition, he will also get a $500,000 signing bonus...and if he stays all 5 years, he'll get another $500,000.

That's a total package of just under $10 million...and apparently that was enough to lure him away from Pullman.

Virginia will officially introduce bennett at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

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