The seeds of Mike London’s coaching career were planted on the night that he nearly lost his life. A Richmond police detective on the street crimes unit in the late ’80s, London had chased a van down a dark alley. One thing led to another, and he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun. The trigger was pulled. London heard a click. But the gun didn’t fire.
After the brush with death, London reconsidered his future in law enforcement. Football had been a constant through much of his life: He played at Bethel High School, the University of Richmond and was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 1983. “I decided maybe coaching is a good thing to do,” he says. In his new career, London went on to serve as an assistant coach for William and Mary, Richmond, Boston College, the Houston Texans and U.Va.
In 2008, he landed his first head coaching job at his alma mater, the University of Richmond, and won the Football Championship Subdivision national title in his first season there. London, 49, received several National Coach of the Year awards and compiled a 24-5 record in two seasons.
On Dec. 7, the University of Virginia announced that Mike London would be its new football coach, signing him to a five-year contract that pays $1.7 million annually.
“I’m blessed and I’m honored to be back involved with a university that I have a familiar background with,” said London, who was former head coach Al Groh’s defensive coordinator in 2006 and 2007, and recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach from 2001 to 2004.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Groh,” London said. “He allowed me to grow within this system, this university. But I’m my own man. I’m my own person ... I’m looking to do my own things and make my own way.”
NEXT: Littlepage’s search critieria and London’s coaching philosophy
Comments
Let's hope that Coach London breathes a breath of fresh air into a program that had grown stale. Go Cavs !
Al Groh is finally gone! His coaching abilities (or lack thereof) made UVA's football program a laughing stock in the ACC. I just hope that Mike London can put UVA football back in the limelight.........Let's Go Hoos!!
The thing about Groh is that I think he is great at both recognizing and developing individual talent. He just isn't a good game day coach. Here's to hoping the UVa program turns a corner. I'd be happy if we were "competitive." I'd love a national title, but I'm realistic.
Just bring a winning season and beat Clemson and Va. Tech for once !!
I feel bad for Al Groh, but that's life. I am very encouraged by the choice of Mike London. I bet with some success on the field, Mike will be able to recruit some amazing talent in the next few years. Good Luck Mike.
From: Steve Doniger '58 Al Groh was a winner as a person, but a loser as a coach. Best of luck to him, but let'smove on. Go Cavs!
Best luck Al Groh. Recruiting and winning became a problem with him after some good and some bad seasons. Hope Mike London has success in both areas.
Al Groh was an alumnus; when he was hired he called it a dream come true, and that he intended to spend the rest of his career there. We should never speak so ill of another Hoo as I've seen many other alumni do. It is with great sadness that I bid Coach Groh farewell and good luck, but I am *also* very excited to greet this new coach. I hope to see second half knockout blows become UVa football trademarks once again, like in the beginning of the Groh era, not second half collapses like the end of the Welsh and Groh tenures.
One of the keys to victory will be getting some recruiting pull in the Tidewater area. We lost all of our recruiting power there to Tech. That area consistently puts out great football talent and deep down they want to go to the better school in Virginia to play football. Go Hoos! Fair Winds and Following Seas Coach Groh! Welcome Coach London!
Despite his losses, Al Groh ran a football program with integrity and respect. Let's at least recognize him for that. Now let's hope that coach London will put some new life and spirit into UVA football, we need it.
Leave a Comment