Almost everything has changed since UVA football head coach Al Groh finished the 3-9 2009 season by reading the bizarre poem “The Guy in the Glass” to media in the bowels of Scott Stadium. After firing Groh and conducting a national search for his replacement, the University awarded former assistant coach Mike London a five-year, $1.7 million annual contract to try and resurrect the Wahoos from the college football graveyard.
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Trent Thurston interviews VA football head coach Mike London. |
London’s test begins Saturday, September 4, when Virginia opens its season at home against London’s former team, the Richmond Spiders, at 6pm. To accompany the new head coach, Virginia has redesigned uniforms, a nearly brand new coaching staff and a shot at shaking the goat horns from last year’s helmets.
Since London was hired in early December, he has worked the state tirelessly to smooth over relationships with the Commonwealth’s powerhouse high school programs. London focused recruiting efforts in the football-crazy Tidewater region, Richmond, and the fertile Northern Virginia areas.
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Only one coach from the Al Groh years remains under new UVA football head coach Mike London, who will earn $1.7 million per year with the Hoos. |
And his efforts have paid off. London’s 2010 recruiting class is made up almost entirely of players from Virginia. Compare the new Hoos to Groh’s nine seasons in Charlottesville, when Virginia Tech out-hustled UVA in signing top-tier recruits and bested UVA in eight of nine meetings.
Gone is Virginia’s 3-4 NFL-style defense, replaced by a more college-friendly 4-3 Stack defense. Defensive coordinator Jim Reid prefers faster guys, as opposed to the bulky players favored by Groh. Expect Reid’s defense to be hard-hitting, smart and led by NFL prospect and returning senior Ras-I Dowling—a big, physical cornerback.
Nate Collins, who led the Hoos’ quarterback assault with six sacks in 2009, graduated and will be sorely missed. But defensive end Cam Johnson is poised for a breakout type of season, and linebacker Steve Greer, who led Virginia in tackles with 92 in 2009, is healthy again after battling injuries.
The Wahoos should avoid quarterback controversy this season with senior Marc Verica under center, and under the watch of new offensive coordinator and QB guru Bill Lazor, who brings an NFL coaching pedigree to the Hoos. While the line protecting Verica up front may be inexperienced, the long wait for top recruit Morgan Moses is over, and he should contribute early at guard before moving on to right tackle next season.
For its ground attack, Virginia would like to use as many as four running backs. Sophomore Perry Jones has earned the title of starter at tailback, and true freshman Kevin Parks might crack the rotation early instead of redshirting for a year. Both Joe Torchia and Colter Phillips hope to get the tight end position back in play for the Wahoos after almost taking the position totally out of the offense last season in Gregg Brandon’s anemic spread offense.
Virginia is picked by nearly everyone to finish dead last in the Coastal Division, but six wins in 12 games seems reasonable, if Verica stays healthy and the Hoos find an 800-yard rusher in their stable of tailbacks. At the least, Virginia should nab four wins, among games against Richmond, Virginia Military Institute, Maryland, Eastern Michigan and North Carolina. Unlike the Hokies, the Tar Heels just don’t win in Charlottesville.
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