Mike London came to Virginia four years ago with a definite vision for turning around the moribund Cavaliers who had limped to an 8-16 record in the final two years of Al Groh’s regime. So far, London sandwiched an 8-5 year in 2011 and a Chick-fil-A Bowl bid in the middle of two 4-8 seasons.
Now, as he enters his fourth season, Virginia will be one of the youngest teams in the country, but a team that is accruing talent to the point of where the Cavaliers are now beginning to control the landscape in fertile Tidewater Virginia, where rival Virginia Tech used to rule the high school landscape.
London looks at his roster and sees only six seniors and 60 Cavaliers that are in his freshman and sophomore class. He likes the nucleus and is ready to put his squad on the field and see the fruits of his recruiting labor.
To supplement the youth, he made numerous staff changes, including hiring former NC State and Boston College coach Tom O’Brien, who worked as an assistant at Virginia from 1982-1996, and Steve Fairchild, a man with seven years of NFL experience and was the head coach at Colorado State from 2008-2011.
“I think I have one of the best staffs in college football, and when you look at it from that standpoint and program itself, it attracts those types of young men,” London said.
London has a certain comfort level with O’Brien coming back into Charlottesville considering O’Brien hired him to his staff at Boston College. London noted that the previous experience together made it an easy hire.
“One of the great things about him is process,” London said. “He has had to make decisions academically, socially, and has a valued amount of experience, and managing players indifferent scenarios – he’s been there, done that.”
London has laid the groundwork for a revival of football in Charlottesville. With the youth and a new, experienced coaching staff in control, the 2010 bowl season, where Virginia tied for second in the league, could start to be a norm.
“There is a good young nucleus of players who are talented,” London said. “Now, take newcomers with the new scheme and teach how we want them to play. We have very few senior leadership guys who know how we want things done. Some of those older players have to step up into those roles.”
London scripted the transition in the staff as he noted there were 15 spring practices and Virginia has a new coordinator at all positions. The task with so many freshmen and sophomores is for the staff to define the players that really contribute to positions.
“The idea is to teach system, and then you go back and say this player might be good not his side because of who is and what he is,” London said. “Week Two of August practices will be critical to figure those out. We will put in the schemes and systems and go with a learning curve and go forward.”
The quarterback battle between David Watford and Greyson Lambert will be heated during fall camp. Watford edged Lambert out in the spring, but there is always room for change if London sees things go the other way in August.
“I think the impact was inability to put points on the board and not sustain long drives, which showed execution or lack thereof,” London said of last season’s offensive woes. “There is no quarterback controversy going into this season. Early on in August camp, you will know who the quarterback will be. David has the most experience. But it won’t be handed to him. Grayson Lambert has a shot as well.”
In addition to the talent and focus both players bring to the quarterback position, London notes that their leadership and respect from their teammates is as big of a dynamic.
“I had the guys vote on leaders and the number one vote-getter was Watford,” London said. “Lambert was 10 to 12. They have a guy that touches the ball on every offensive play to be the number one guy and then another is one of the top leaders on team. Guys respect these two immensely.”
In the offseason, London had a group of Navy SEALS, who didn’t know anything about the personnel on the Virginia team, come in and work with the Cavaliers to see what their takes on the intangibles of the team were. At the end of the day, Watford rated highly with these guys, especially in leadership skills.
“The fact that he (Watford) played as a freshman and not once has he complained proved he wanted to do what’s best for team,” London said. “He just closed his mouth worked out, lifted, ran, and studied.”