Ron Sanchez hired as new Charlotte 49ers head coach

UNC Charlotte announced Monday the hiring of Virginia associate head coach Ron Sanchez as the new 49ers head men’s basketball coach. This is the first head coaching gig for Sanchez, who has been on Tony Bennett‘s staff for the past twelve years.

“I would like to thank Chancellor Dubois and Director of Athletics Mike Hill for this incredible opportunity,” Sanchez said in a statement. “I am honored and humbled that they have entrusted me with their men’s basketball program.”

In addition to his extensive collegiate resume, Sanchez, a native of the Dominican Republic, has experience on the international level. He served as an assistant with the DR national team for the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.

His first coaching jobs were at alma mater SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Delhi. He then spent two years as a volunteer assistant for Indiana head coach Mike Davis, where he was part of the Hoosiers’ staff during their run to the 2002 NCAA Tournament final.

An official press conference is expected next week.