OT - London out at UVA

Submitted by blue_n_VA on

Not a huge surprise but Mike London has stepped down at UVA. Add UVA to the long list of institutions looking for a new football coach. I'm hoping they land a successful up and comer. There isn't a glaring reason as to why they shouldn't be able to at least be competitive in the ACC (assuming they make a good hire).

Great school with many other successful programs and decent facilities.

Tater

November 29th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^

Golden tried to make everyone "equal" at YTM, even though it's a fait accompli that the Dade/Broward or "State of Miami" clique runs the team.  Eventually, he failed.  Since the Dade/Broward clique is going to run the team anyway, I think YTM should hire Mario Cristobal, who was born in Miami, played and coached at YTM and is pretty much a beloved presence there.

Cristobal has the talent to get the most out of the job and the charisma to turn the Dade/Broward clique into an asset instead of an enemy, as Golden did.

DonAZ

November 29th, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^

The effects of the playoff system and the inevitable shaking-out and ultimate separation of the super-conference from the others.  Nothing earth-shattering this year or next, but that's the direction. 

If you're an AD you do not want to be on the outside looking in when the super-conference is formed.  And it won't take a formal announcement; it will first be determined via consensus. Hence all the desperate coaching moves.

/opinion

This is why I'm happy we have Harbaugh when we do.

wahooverine

November 29th, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^

I have mixed feelings about this proposition as a Virginia alum. They're a charter member of the ACC. In the B1G they'd get to face their natural rival Maryland again (MD Is VA's Ohio) but would face UM (where I attended 3 years of grad school) causing me considerable fan conflict. Would very much bolster the conference in every sport if they can make a good hire in football. There is no reason UVA can't be as good or better than VT. UVA is coming off a similar two bad coaching hires in a row situation. Got to get this right.

blue_n_VA

November 29th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^

I imagine it wouldn't have a negative impact for us. Nothing to back that up, just speculation. Obviously the more jobs like this one come open, the greater the chance of him leaving. Schools like Maryland may be more willing to jump on him so they aren't let without. On the flip side, if Maryland chooses someone else, Durkin has another job he can interview for.

wahooverine

November 29th, 2015 at 12:02 PM ^

Got to knock this hire out of the park like they did with Handsome Tony Bennett. Come on Craig Littlepaige this is your legacy. Literally everything else is in place for every other sport.

BlueMk1690

November 29th, 2015 at 12:07 PM ^

but you get the distinct sense that UVA doesn't really care enough about football to be competitive in an environment where everyone else is extremely invested.

They'll probably make a half-assed hire and continue on in their perpetual mediocrity.

LSAClassOf2000

November 29th, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^

SBNation has a rather comprehensive run-down of the carousel here - LINK

It also includes a long list of which teams were in a position potentially (although much of it was just based on rumors) to lose or gain personnel depending on the situation. It is rather interesting to reflect on just how much activity there has been on this front already and how many teams could potentially be involved in some manner. 

bronxblue

November 29th, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^

This isn't a surprise - London has been scuttling at UVa for a couple years now.  But it's telling that VT already picked up Fuentes from Memphis before the season even ended; teams need to move fast to get a good coach or else they'll just be chasing the same also-rans.

L'Carpetron Do…

November 29th, 2015 at 1:31 PM ^

Wow, UVA and UGA are going to have to compete with open jobs at USC, Miami and South Carolina (and possibly LSU?).  I'm sure those teams have already gone deep into their coaching search and UVA and UGA are behind the 8-ball and just starting now.

Teams like Rutgers, Maryland and Illinois are even in bigger trouble because there is really no way they can compete with those other programs. 

I think V-Tech did the right thing by locking up a coach right at the end of the season.

I never understand why teams like Georgia and Nebraska last year would fire a coach who has had success.  Richt is a good coach, starting over isn't a good idea.  Pellini didnt have a great year last season but by no means should've been fired - and look how it cost them.