Cavaliers and Spiders swap staff members
Devising a gameplan for a season opener often requires more homework than usual. But not so for Virginia rookie coach Mike London. His debut with the Cavaliers on Saturday comes against the team he coached the last two seasons — Richmond.
“I don’t know if it’s a huge advantage,” London said. “But you do have a sense of evaluations because you were there, and you can make some assessment as to skill level and ability.”
While London knows most of the Spiders, he’s not so familiar with the coaching staff. In an odd twist, Richmond’s brain trust — coach Latrell Scott, offensive coordinator Wayne Lineburg and defensive coordinator Bob Trott — all were assistants last year at Virginia under Al Groh.
“I’m sure they are saying that on the [other] side, too, about knowing players and their perceived weaknesses and strengths,” London said.
In all, the Spiders have seven coaches with ties to Virginia. The Cavaliers have six coaches with ties to Richmond, including three who London brought with him when he was hired. It’s an unusual situation as many of the coaches now will compete against players they formerly coached and recruited.
“I would not be human if I sat here and said it’s just another game. It’s not another game. It’s my alma mater,” London said. “But as things happen sometimes, opportunities and doors open, and now I’m here wearing the orange and blue.”
London guided Richmond to an FCS championship in 2008 and the quarterfinals last year. Four starters return on either side of the ball. The most ballyhooed addition is quarterback Aaron Corp, a transfer from USC, who has an inviting target in 6-foot-3 Kevin Grayson, who is set to become the school’s all-time receiving leader.
London has a daunting task as he tries to turn around a team that went 3-9 last year. The Cavaliers have lost four straight season-openers, including last September in Charlottesville against a William & Mary team that Richmond beat later in the year.
“I’ve been on both sides of this game,” Scott said. “The whole [Appalachian] State-Michigan thing a few years back has made everyone leery of FCS teams. These kids know they have they have the opportunity to win a game like this if they do the right things. On the flip side, Virginia also knows if they don’t play well, they could lose.”
