Mike London Announces Coaching Staff Changes

Today Virginia Head Coach Mike London announced wholesale changes to his coaching staff. After the news earlier in the week that running backs coach Mike Faragalli would not be retained, London announced the firings of three more coaches on Sunday. Virginia will part ways with defensive coordinator Jim Reid, defensive line coach Jeff Hanson and tight ends coach and former UVa great Shawn Moore. London also announced that Anthony Poindexter will remain on the staff, but he will no longer coach the special teams unit. The buyout of the four assistants will cost the university 1.36 million dollars altogether, and London will seek replacements immediately.

Jim Reid came to Virginia from the Miami Dolphins, after having previously being the head coach at both Richmond and VMI. Reid oversaw the transition from Al Groh's 3-4 scheme to the 4-3 scheme that the Cavaliers have run over the past three seasons. Virginia's defense was inconsistent during Reid's tenure as defensive coordinator, showing signs of progress at times, and struggles as well. Reid is also responsible for heading up the recruitment of many players who have signed with the Cavaliers in the London era, specifically from both the Richmond area and New England.

Jeff Hanson came to UVa with Mike London, after being on London's staff at Richmond. Hanson was on the staff for Richmond's 2008 FCS National Championship season. Known as a fiery coach, Hanson was Virginia's recruiting coordinator over his three years in Charlottesville, helping the Hoos sign 2 straight nationally ranked recruiting classes.

Shawn Moore came to Virginia from the high school ranks, coaching at St. Albans School in the DC area before joining London's staff. Moore, who famously quarterbacked the Cavaliers in the early 1990's, originally joined the staff as the wide receivers coach, before switching to tight ends in the spring. Moore oversaw the development of Virginia standout wide receiver Kris Burd, and helped Virginia land some nice prospects from his recruiting territory: Northern Virginia and New Jersey. Shawn Moore's son Mike is a freshman defensive end for the Cavaliers.

So where do all these changes leave the Cavaliers? Returning are offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, offensive line coach Scott Wachenheim, defensive backs coach Chip West, linebackers coach Vincent Brown and Anthony Poindexter, who will no longer coach special teams. Graduate Assistant Marques Hagans will probably join the staff as a full-time member going forward, most likely as a wide receivers coach. So Mike London will need to find new coaches to lead the defense and special teams, as well as several positional groups. Obviously with all the turnover, London also needs to keep his recruiting class intact as well. This sets up to be a pretty tumultuous off-season in Charlottesville.