It's official: London is Virginia's head football coach

Update:

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Mike London is the new head football coach at the University of Virginia, U.Va. Athletics Director Craig Littlepage announced today. London returns the university after twice serving stints as an assistant coach. He becomes the 39th head coach in the program's history.

"Coach London's experience as a championship head coach, combined with a variety of college and pro assistant coaching assignments position him for success at the University of Virginia," Littlepage said. "He understands how to develop and implement a program that prioritizes the academic achievement of his players and winning at the highest levels of college football. Mike London is a coach around whom we can all rally as he goes about the task of building a successful football program at Virginia."

In two seasons at Richmond, London led the Spiders to a 24-5 record. His first year at the helm his team went 13-3 and won the Football Championship Series national title. This year's Spider team, ranked nine consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the FCS polls, went 11-2 and reached the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.

"We are pleased to welcome Mike London back to the University," said University President John T. Casteen III. "Mike's personal values and commitment to excellence -- combined with his understanding of University culture and his proven ability to build a strong team -- will make the London era in Virginia football a good time, perhaps the best of times, for players, fans, and the University generally."

"Words cannot express my gratitude and heartfelt emotions for this opportunity," London said. "To be the head football coach at as prestigious of an institution as the University of Virginia is a dream come true. Over the years, a lot of people have helped me to make this possible. I have been fortunate to stand on the shoulders of many coaches, players, administrators and University communities in which my family has lived. We are excited about this new opportunity and endeavor. We look forward to establishing a renewed relationship with our new community and football family."

The parties have agreed to a contract that will pay London $1.7 million annually for five years. London's financial agreement is the responsibility of the Department of Athletics. The department is a stand-alone auxiliary that relies on a number of different revenue streams, including ticket and merchandise sales, student fees, ACC television revenues, and philanthropic gifts to support its day-to-day operations. The department does not receive state funding.

Earlier:

Time, apparently, was of the essence.

Just a day after coach Mike London’s second season at the University of Richmond ended with a playoff loss, the 49-year-old was offered and took little time to accept the vacant coaching position at the University of Virginia, according to the Charlottesville Daily Progress.

London will be announced as the school’s 45th head coach at a press conference at the John Paul Jones Arena at 1 p.m today.

After Virginia asked Richmond officials for permission to speak formally with London, the Cavaliers’ former defensive coordinator, about the job, he called a players meeting.

At that time, the Daily Progress said, London delivered an emotional speech about the Virginia situation and how he was torn.

London, who compiled a 24-5 record at Richmond and won the 2008 Football Championship Subdvision title, replaces former coach Al Groh.

It was under Groh that London was first hired at Virginia in 2001 as the recruiting coordinator and the defensive line coach.

He left the Cavaliers’ program after the 2004 season to take a post as the defensive line coach with the Houston Texans in the National Football League, but returned to Charlottesville a year later as the defensive coordinator.

After two years at Virginia, London was hired as the head coach at the University of Richmond, where he played college football from 1979 to 1982.

London completed his second season at Richmond late Saturday evening, losing 35-31 to Appalachian State.

Following the contest, London spoke with the media about his time coaching the Spiders.

“I’ve been really blessed to be the head coach of this football team,” London said. “That’s a hurt locker room in there, but I’ll tell you what — 11-2, conference champions, had the year we had.

“I’m so proud of those guys. Coaches, players, the fans that came out to this game, particularly the students. Words can’t describe the gratitude I have for being a part of something like this and being a part of this team.”

Following his title-winning season in `08, London was named the Black Coaches Association Male Coach of the Year and was the AFCA National Coach of the Year.

He was also given a contract extension at Richmond, a deal that was extended through the 2014 campaign.

London will become the third African-American head coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference, joining Miami’s Randy Shannon and former Wake Forest coach Jim Caldwell.

The news was received in grand fashion amongst former players who were mentored by London at Virginia.

“It’s unreal,” former defensive end Brennan Schmidt said. ”That’s fantastic. He was the best coach that I ever came across. He was a player’s coach.

“He wants to see you grow as a man.”

Former safety Byron Glaspy added: “I don’t think you can say enough positive things about London. Everybody related to him. He sets a great example for players of being a man in general.”

Groh was fired on Nov. 29 after Virginia finished a 3-9 season, the program’s worst record since going 2-9 in 1982.

Under Groh, the Cavaliers went 59-53 and went to five bowl games.

In the release announcing today’s press conference, Virginia officials stated that the event is not open to the public. It will be televised live on the school’s Web site.