So Brian has left the country and put me in charge of StreakingTheLawn.com for the week. I was preparing my unilateral declaration of Ladies' Week here at STL. But since my blog debut coincides with the imminent announcement of Mike London's move back to 'Hooville, it seems that I'll be beefing up on my London trivia instead.
This announcement should come as no surprise to STL readers, based on the week's poll results. But for those of you who are still familiarizing yourself with London and his accomplishments, here are a few of the highlights:
Before taking the top spot at UR Football, London had spent six of the previous seven seasons molding one of the nation's top defenses at the University of Virginia, most recently as the Cavaliers' defensive coordinator. He was instrumental in the development of five defensive players drafted in the NFL, most notably second-overall selection Chris Long in 2007.
After spending the 2005 season as the defensive line coach with the NFL's Houston Texans, he returned to Al Groh's staff in 2006.
A native of Hampton, Va., London played defensive back at Richmond from 1979-82. Under head coach Dal Shealy, he led the Spiders with six interceptions as a senior captain in 1982. In addition to earning All-State honors, he was chosen the team's MVP and received the Coaches Award. In 1982, the Virginia Peninsula Sports Club selected him as the male in-state Athlete of the Year.
London broke into the coaching ranks in 1988, spending two seasons with Richmond as the outside linebackers coach and admissions liaison, followed by four years (1990-93) as the defensive line coach at William & Mary.
He returned to Richmond for three more years (1994-96) as the outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator on Jim Reid's staff, coaching All-America LB Shawn Barber, who was a fourth-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins in 1998 and played 10 years in the NFL.
Prior to his first coaching stint at UVa, London served as defensive line coach at Boston College from 1997-2000, where he helped lead the Eagles to two bowl appearances.
He graduated from Richmond in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and a year later received a degree in law enforcement from the Richmond Police Academy, serving as a detective for the street crimes unit from 1985-87. The Dallas Cowboys signed him as a free agent in 1983.
Mike and his wife Regina have seven children, Michael, Jr., Brandon, Kristen, Ticynn, Korben, Jaicyn and Madicyn.
His son, Brandon, led Massachusetts in receiving in 2006 and finished his career as the school's second-leading receiver. He was signed to the Miami Dolphins active roster on Aug. 31, 2008 after spending the 2007 season on the New York Giants practice squad. One of London's daughters, Kristen, is a senior guard on the UVa women's basketball team. His younger brother, Paul, was a DB at UVa from 1991-95.
And for those who, like me, require graphics, I offer this handy chart of London's coaching record:
| Year(s) | School/Team | Position | Post-Season |
| 1988-1989 |
Richmond | OLBs | -- |
| 1990-1993 |
William & Mary | Defensive Line | 1990 I-AA Playoffs (Qtrs.) |
| 1993 I-AA Playoffs (1st Rd.) | |||
| 1994-1996 |
Richmond | OLBs / Recruiting Coordinator | -- |
| 1997-2000 |
Boston College | Defensive Line | 1999 Insignt.com Bowl |
| 2000 Aloha Bowl | |||
| 2001-2004 |
Virginia | Defensive Line / Recruiting Coordinator (02 - 04) | 2002 Continental Tire Bowl |
| 2003 Continental Tire Bowl | |||
| 2004 MPC Computer Bowl | |||
| 2005 | Houston Texans | Defensive Line | -- |
| 2006-2007 |
Virginia | Defensive Coordinator | 2008 Gator Bowl |
| 2008-2009 |
University of Richmond | Head Coach | 2008 FCS National Championship Winners |
| 2009-?? | Virginia | Head Coach |
Courtesy of RichmondSpiders.com