Dear Old U.Va.

sports.espn.go.com/.../story

Perhaps we can start talking names for the new coach?

The talking has already started. Tiki and I were discussing things earlier in the day. There's lots of "who knows if its good"-type info floating around out there. Nothing I can really talk about though.

Tim Murphy is an interesting, if unexciting, choice. Charlie Strong is both interesting and exciting, but unlikely. Mike London is an obvious name to discuss, though I think it ends there. Is Dooley's name really getting mentioned?

The rumors that we already have the HC/OC/DC in place are interesting. If true, that'd almost guarantee its an assistant, not a current head coach. Which rules out all but Strong above, and I think he's out for other reasons. If false, well it just further confuses the matter.

I think we're still a couple weeks from any real information leaking. Then again... I've been wrong before.

My take on names out there-

First, I want to say this, not as a racial statement, but rather as what I believe. Craig Littlepage will hire a minority coach. I do not think that we will hire them merely because they are a minority but rather the names I have heard are the best options out there and that this is the time for a totally new image. You may ask why I even bring race up. As the flagship school of the commonwealth and a fairly progressive university, I believe that this is an optimal opportunity to make a progressive choice. To crack the stranglehold that VT has on recruiting we need someone young charismatic and good. In my mind, the two leading men are Charlie Strong and Mike London. Both Strong and London fit that mold. I have good information, (I am on the inside for once) that we have contacted Strong and that he would be open to the conversation. I have to imagine that London is also on the short list, however, I am not 100% sure he would take the job. I have decided that I would be thrilled with either of these choices. I would be happy to give them 5 years with no expectations to right the ship, develop recruiting inroads and honestly to let them take there lumps. After that I would only want to see trends. Do we have a good recruiting base, are we recruiting the right STUDENT athletes and do they fit a true identity of the team. The thing that sells tickets is wins and absent of them, hope. If we are building for the future than there is always hope, and that extends to our coach too.

Tuberville is not in my list of candidates:

I do not believe at all that we will go after Tuberville. I want a coach that will be here for a while and can build the team in a mold that will succeed. I really believe that Tuberville would use UVA as a stepping stone back to the SEC. I have actually met Tuberville several times, when I was in highschool I even held the wire to his headphones when UM was playing at Syracuse. While Tuberville is a great defensive mind ala Groh and Wannstedt, he desperately would need a good hire for OC. In the end, I just don't see it.

I wonder if there are any offensive coaches actually getting consideration. Strong, London, Tuberville are all defensive guys. Murphy just seems to be a true HC (maybe that's what we need, with two good coordinators?). Dooley is an offensive guy I guess.

Nice post. I hope your insider information is correct. I grew up in Gainesville, FL, before coming to UVa. I have to be honest that I was very disappointed at my first UVa football game. Really, suits and ties? Really, a fight song set to Auld Lang Syne? But I grew to love it over the years and miss it now (even in the bad times). I actually like that Al Groh did transform us a little bit to a t-shirt sort of student section. I have always dreamed a UF assistant (football or basketball) would come to UVa and turn the program around. Seemed very feasible for basketball (sort of thought Anthony Grant might come to UVa), but have never felt the same way about football. The environment in Gainesville (even before Urban Meyer and Steve Spurrier) has always been intense. I just find it hard to believe that a coach from that environment would be willing to end up in C'ville ... unless they really like the town, the academic environment, or think it could be a good first job / stepping stone. Maybe I am wrong, so I hope your insider info is correct and that he is at least considering it. My only worry is that someone else will jump on him first. Colorado is going to need a coach, but that may be WAY out of Charlie's element. Louisville might be searching for one ... perhaps a better fit, but also not a historically strong football school. Maryland will need one, but I imagine that is not as desirable as UVa. Anyway ... I can still dream I guess!