Mike London wasn’t going to stay at the University of Virginia forever. In fact, his second stint in Charlottesville was more like a nice addition to a resume University of Richmond Athletic Director Jim Miller wanted to get his hands on (again)
This past weekend, UVA’s former defensive coordinator was named the head coach at the University of Richmond after Dave Clawson bolted for the University of Tennessee a week earlier to take over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Knoxville.
London inherits a team that went 11-3 last season and reached the semifinals of the I-AA playoffs. Needless to say, expectations are high for 2008. Here are just a few reasons why Spider fans should be very pleased with this hiring:
The 757
Hailing from Hampton, VA, a hotbed for college football recruits in the state, London has good connections in the area with high school coaches and is known for his ability to recruit. Granted many of the top players from this region choose big time programs in the ACC, SEC, Big East, etc, but London can create a list to work with and find players that fit his program.
A Spider from the Start
London knows UR. He played defensive back at Richmond from 1979-82. He led the Spiders with six interceptions as a senior captain in 1982. He also racked up some accolades in earning All-State honors, chosen as the team's MVP and received the Coaches Award. London knows what it takes to succeed on the field and in the classroom after receiving a degree in sociology. And at Richmond, the term “student-athlete” is pretty accurate.
New Digs
Let’s face it, UR Stadium isn’t exactly the kind of place that’s going to win over recruits that are on the fence. But that’s all going to change in 2010 when the team begins to play home games on campus. The stadium will be configured on the site of the existing First Market Stadium (adjacent to the Robins Center), where the men's and women's soccer teams play now and the football team practices most of the time.
Working on Sundays
While it might have been for only one season, London knows what life is like in the NFL, serving as the defensive-line coach for the NFL's Houston Texans in 2005. For promising high school and college players the ultimate goal is making to the big show. London can relay his experience in the NFL to his players.
A Different Face, A Different Race
While this shouldn't be an issue, it is. By accepting the position to lead the Spiders football program, London becomes the first African-American head coach of a major program in the school’s long athletic history. But stats like this aren’t uncommon on college campuses. In 2007 only 13 of 241 head coaches on the I-A and I-AA levels were black. Click here to read why RTD columnist Bob Lipper thinks UR found a “beacon” in hiring London.
This past weekend, UVA’s former defensive coordinator was named the head coach at the University of Richmond after Dave Clawson bolted for the University of Tennessee a week earlier to take over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Knoxville.
London inherits a team that went 11-3 last season and reached the semifinals of the I-AA playoffs. Needless to say, expectations are high for 2008. Here are just a few reasons why Spider fans should be very pleased with this hiring:
The 757
Hailing from Hampton, VA, a hotbed for college football recruits in the state, London has good connections in the area with high school coaches and is known for his ability to recruit. Granted many of the top players from this region choose big time programs in the ACC, SEC, Big East, etc, but London can create a list to work with and find players that fit his program.
A Spider from the Start
London knows UR. He played defensive back at Richmond from 1979-82. He led the Spiders with six interceptions as a senior captain in 1982. He also racked up some accolades in earning All-State honors, chosen as the team's MVP and received the Coaches Award. London knows what it takes to succeed on the field and in the classroom after receiving a degree in sociology. And at Richmond, the term “student-athlete” is pretty accurate.
New Digs
Let’s face it, UR Stadium isn’t exactly the kind of place that’s going to win over recruits that are on the fence. But that’s all going to change in 2010 when the team begins to play home games on campus. The stadium will be configured on the site of the existing First Market Stadium (adjacent to the Robins Center), where the men's and women's soccer teams play now and the football team practices most of the time.
Working on Sundays
While it might have been for only one season, London knows what life is like in the NFL, serving as the defensive-line coach for the NFL's Houston Texans in 2005. For promising high school and college players the ultimate goal is making to the big show. London can relay his experience in the NFL to his players.
A Different Face, A Different Race
While this shouldn't be an issue, it is. By accepting the position to lead the Spiders football program, London becomes the first African-American head coach of a major program in the school’s long athletic history. But stats like this aren’t uncommon on college campuses. In 2007 only 13 of 241 head coaches on the I-A and I-AA levels were black. Click here to read why RTD columnist Bob Lipper thinks UR found a “beacon” in hiring London.
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