In the aftermath of Tony Bennett’s departure from Virginia, ideas of the long-term future of Virginia hoops are adrift.

Ron Sanchez will handle the interim job, after all, Bennett really didn’t leave Virginia time to search out a permanent replacement. But beyond that, UVA could make things really interesting.

After the retirement of Tony Bennett, could Dawn Staley follow him at UVA? (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

In fact, some have suggested that the Cavs could hire a legend, a women’s basketball legend. USC coach Dawn Staley has become the dominant force in the women’s game, and many wonder if Staley would consider a career shift. No female coach has led a Division I men’s basketball program but Staley could be the trailblazer.

Whether it’s Virginia and Staley, sooner or later, some school will make the dive. Here are three reasons why Staley would have an immediate impact on Virginia.

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3 reasons why Dawn Staley would succeed at Virginia

Could legendary women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley make the jump to the men’s game? (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

#1. It moves the needle, and Staley could handle that.

It’s probably painful for Cavaliers fans to admit, but Virginia isn’t exactly a marquee program. Even with an NCAA title in the recent past, the ACC is largely about Duke and North Carolina. Everybody else in the league, even teams that have won championships, can get forgotten.

Whatever program has the foresight to turn a men’s basketball program over to a woman will immediately be at the center of college basketball. The inevitable 30 for 30, Netflix series and wall-to-wall ESPN coverage are all but guaranteed. Women will be interested, men will be intrigued, and the media attention will be wild.

Staley has built a career out of being at the center of her sport. Few women would be better position to turn the attention into a positive for her team.

#2. Staley has been such a brilliant coach, and basketball is basketball.

As discussed, a massive public noise campaign will follow when a woman is hired to coach men’s basketball. It’s probably all an overstated phenomenon. After all, we’ve lived in a world where men have succeeded in women’s basketball (Geno Auriemma). We’ve lived in a world where coaches have switched back and forth between men’s and women’s basketball.

If Dawn Staley were a man, she’d have whatever basketball job she wanted. NBA, Kentucky, UNC, it would have all been hers. She took a team that had never been to a Final Four and built them into a force, winning three titles and making six Final Fours (USC has been to the last four Final Fours).

People who would attempt to minimize Staley’s success as “just” women’s basketball are missing the point. Are there subtle distinctions between the games? Of course. But five-on-five, 92-foot basketball with the same court dimensions is basketball. Someone who is a genius at it will be a genius at any level.

#3. Staley rises to challenges

Unlike Geno Auriemma at UConn, it’s hard to envision Staley just sitting comfortably at South Carolina forever. After all, she took over a 16-16 team that was five years removed from its last NCAA Tournament appearance. It took four years to get Carolina back in the NCAAs, and seven years to get them back to the Final Four.

But Staley has arrived at Carolina. They’re a power, she’s a legend and that could make the 54-year-old itch for a new challenge. Staley has always been a sucker for a challenge. The pint-sized guard who willed Virginia to basketball relevance could outdo even her own playing career. Staley, like most competitors, rises to challenges, and here’s a big one.