The University of Virginia football team finished 3-9 last year. Bad. Very damn bad. As bad as it had ever been in the modern era of college football at the University. Worse than George Welsh’s first two seasons. Why, well the Hoos play 12-13 games now instead of 11, and Virginia has dumped more than 150 million bucks into the football program in the last ten seasons. In 2009 the only bright spot (other than prickly Al Groh being canned) was beating 2-3 of their natural rivals: UNC, and Maryland. Let’s not even talk about what the Hokies did to the Hoos for what seemed like the 500th straight time.
Fast forward to yesterday. New coach. New uniforms (coming for the first game), new attitude. Almost and entirely new coaching staff New Head Coach Mike London, who himself is from the land we football recruiting junkies like to call the "757" area code did something ingenious: He held a scrimmage at ODU’S Foreman field in front of a little more than 2000 fans. The Tidewater Region of Virginia is one of the greatest producers of football talent in the entire world. It’s up there with much bigger metropolitan areas. Folks love their football in the Norfolk area.
Now you might sit back and say why is this even news? Especially with the current success of the baseball, and lacrosse programs at the University. It’s not even football season. But this was absolute brilliance on the part of UVA’s Jon Oliver and Mike London. Because in revenue generating football, it’s always football season. Football pays for a lot of stuff in the athletic department back in Charlottesville.
Coach London, who graduated from Allen Iverson’s Bethel High School in Hampton and his staff also held a high school coaching clinic before the scrimmaged in which 80 high school head-coahces were in attendance. Also in attendance, and a bit nervous, were almost the entire "Compliance Department" which handles the rigid rules of the NCAA. No one from the UVA coaching staff was allowed to say anything to any of the potential recruits that were there.
The atmosphere was awesome there on Saturday. I arrived at Foreman field around 11:30 before the players had arrived from the hotel. Coach London and his entire staff and players spent the night in an area hotel the night before to get the kids used to traveling and to change things up a bit. Team-building is another word for it I guess. When I got there I was amazed. No charge to park, no charge to get in. Everyone that I came into contact with from ODU’s coaching staff, to the people working the beer taps were amazing. "Thank you for coming" was heard from every single person there. And it wasn’t a fake, just paying lip-service type of BS, the employees of Old Dominion were simple outstanding. There were kids and their dads all over the field just hanging around and waiting for the Hoos to get out there on the field. Excited to see something that has never been done in my lifetime. The stadium sold beer and wine, which was awesome. How cool would it be if they could do that at Scott Stadium. How much revenue could be created if they did this? There was music being played over the PA system. The UVA administration was in a great mood. All the way from Craig Littlepage, to SID Jim Daves, to former UVA Coach and current UVA staffer’s Tom Sherman and Gerry Capone . There was an air of excitement in the atmosphere.
The All-ACC cornerback from Chesapeake, Ras-I Dowling said, "This was a homecoming for us." Former UVA great wide-out Pete Allen was there on the sideline. He said to me, "This is awesome, I’m so proud to be a Cavalier again". Coach London took the mic when there was a little break in the action to address the crowd. He hammered home the point that he cannot do this task without the fans help. He thanked all of us for coming and then the 11-11 action began.
The Hoos practice was not all that exciting, as they ran a bunch of punt formations, field goal attempts, and special teams plays. There was about 45 minutes of 11-11 action at the end of the practice. The kicker with the most accuracy on Saturday appeared to be Robert Randolph. The quarterback/center exchange was problematic to say the least, but the quarterback who looked to throw the best deep ball seemed to be rising fifth-year senior Marc Verica. The Orange County product Quintin Hunter looked to me like a guy that could be perfect for the wild-cat formation. Hunter looks like a leader out there. Also on offense, former Groh dog-house occupant Keith Payne is a beast out there. He delivered a couple of nice blows out there while running with purpose. I’m really excited about the potential play-making ability of Tim Smith and Matt Snyder at the WR position. Virginia is deeper at that position then they have been in more than 12 years. Perry Jones looked quick in the backfield and he has a great passion for football.
Defensively, the units linebackers appeared to be a bit slower than last season. Steve Green was not in uniform as he is still nursing an injury. But man, Cam Johnson is a huge man. Johnson has now moved to DE, which is the perfect place for him in this new 4-3 defense. Ras-I Dowling looked great out there, so did Rodney McCloud and Trey Womack. I think that the DB’s are going to be one of the great strengths of this team in 2010. he defensive line was a bit hobbled out there with several key guys missing from action, but in 2010 Virginia will be young and hungry up front.
I understand that it’s still early, but Virginia’s football program is simply doing the right things. I don’t expect greatness out of this club next season, but I definitely feel the Hoos will win at least 5 games. The foundation is being built the correct way, and I’m certain of one thing: Mike London is up to the task. He freaking gets it! The Hoos will hold its annual Spring Football Festival on Saturday, April 10 at Scott Stadium. Pre-game stuff for the fans will begin at noon, and the Spring Game will begin at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Go Hoos!
