Richmond, VA (WTVR), Virginia football head coach Mike London announced today four members of the Cavalier coaching staff have been relieved of their duties. Those coaches are associate head coach/defensive coordinator Jim Reid, defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator Jeff Hanson, running backs coach Mike Faragalli and tight ends coach Shawn Moore.
In addition to those moves, London announced safeties coach Anthony Poindexter will no longer be the Cavaliers’ special teams coordinator but he will remain on staff.
“After conducting a complete evaluation of the program and discussing my thoughts with administration, there are a number of areas we need to improve on and it starts with me as the head coach.” London said. “The decision to release these four coaches is very difficult, but one I feel is necessary in order to meet the goals we have set for the Virginia football program. I have coached with some of these men for many years, won a national championship with some, and I truly appreciate their dedication and commitment, and more importantly, their friendships. I wish them all the best.”
All four coaches were members of London’s staff since he took over the UVa program in December of 2009. Hanson and Faragalli were also members of London’s staff at Richmond during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The Spiders won the FCS National Championship in 2008. London was an assistant coach on Reid’s staff at Richmond during the 1995 and 1996 seasons.
Virginia was Moore’s first collegiate coaching position. He was a standout quarterback for the Cavaliers, finishing fourth in the 1990 Heisman Trophy voting.
“My primary task is to continue to evaluate this program and take the necessary steps to make us successful on the field.” London said. “This University and its fans deserve a program that competes for championships. In order to do that we need to make improvements in every aspect of our football operation.”
Virginia will begin an immediate search to fill all four positions. London did not specify a time frame for concluding the search, taking into account the fact that many of the possible candidates will be involved in postseason play. London said he would make no further comments until the search has been concluded.
