Virginia announces Clint Sintim as new Defensive Line Coach

The Virginia Cavaliers announced Saturday evening that former Cavalier Clint Sintim will finally be returning to grounds as the new defensive line coach, a position that opened up earlier this week when predecessor Vic So’oto announced he’d be returning home to family in California in the same position at USC.

A linebacker at Virginia during the 2005-2008 seasons, Sintim was drafted in 2009 in the second round by the New York Giants, where he stayed for three seasons until the 2011 season, which plagued him with injuries.

Most recently, he was the outside linebackers coach and co-special teams coordinator at Delaware under head coach Danny Rocco, also a former UVA LB coach from 2001-2005.

“When we elevated Vic So’oto several years ago to be the defensive line coach, I thought he was a rising star,” Mendenhall said in Saturday’s release. “In naming Clint Sintim to that same position, I think we have identified another rising star in our profession and certainly someone who Virginia football fans are well-acquainted with. I love Clint’s passion for his alma mater and desire to want to match the goals and standards we have worked to establish at Virginia to teach and develop young men”

Sintim said in the same release, “Virginia has a special place in my heart, and I am beyond humbled to come back to UVA to be a part of Coach Mendenhall’s staff. I have watched Coach and his staff take Virginia from a 2-10 record to competing in the Orange Bowl in only a few years. I am excited to play a role in helping this team continue to build and put Virginia on a national stage.”

At Virginia, Sintim earned freshman All-American honors in 2005 and as in both his junior and senior seasons, led the nation’s linebackers in sacks with nine each, once again named an All-American his senior season. He sits second in the program’s annals in total sacks, and third for tackles for loss.

Welcome back, Coach Sintim!