Virginia Cavaliers football
Encyclopedia
Virginia Cavaliers
football is a college football
program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference
. Established in 1888 playing local YMCA
teams and other state teams without pads, the Virginia football program has evolved into a multimillion dollar operation that plays in front of 61,500 fans at Scott Stadium
in Charlottesville, Virginia
.
The Cavaliers have three major rivals in football: Maryland
, North Carolina
, and Virginia Tech
. The ACC's longest series is the South's Oldest Rivalry
between Virginia and North Carolina. The Cavaliers also compete for the Commonwealth Cup
against Virginia Tech and play in the Beltway Brawl against Maryland. While Virginia has played North Carolina more times (116) than any other rival, all of these programs—Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech—consider Virginia to be their longest-standing rival.
The story of football at UVA actually begins in the fall of 1886, when two graduate students at the University, former Yale student Charles Willcox who was attending medical school at UVA, and former Princeton student, Richard Reid Rogers who matriculated to the law school, introduced the sport at Mr. Jefferson's University. After seeing the success of Princeton and Yale during their undergraduate careers, these two men brought a wealth of knowledge about this burgeoning sport to an area of the country that had no college football teams: the South.
Students at UVA were playing pickup games of the kicking-style of football as early as 1870, and some accounts even claim that some industrious ones organized a game against Washington and Lee College in 1871, just two years after Rutgers and Princeton's historic first game in 1869. But no record has been found of the score of this contest. In 1874, University students were introduced to the sport of rugby when they played to a scoreless tie against a team of Englishmen from Albemarle County. Eight years later, in November, 1883, a football club was reorganized, a constitution drawn up, and officers elected. 75 men competed against one another, but not against another collegiate club. The University Magazine describes how "pluck is cultivated by throttling one's competitor and violently throwing him to the ground."
Finally, in the fall of 1887, Willcox and Reid, after garnering interest in their fellow students throughout the year, helped Virginia put its first regularly organized team in the field. But, being the first, and only, collegiate team in the South, they had had no one to play. Fortunately, Pantops Academy, a boys' school founded just up the road from the UVA Grounds, agreed to a game on November 13, 1887. After playing to a scoreless tie, a rematch was scheduled for March of 1888. The historic first touchdown was scored by quarterback Herbert Barry and the University won 26–0.
The following season, on December 8, 1888, UVa would play their first intercollegiate game, a 26–0 loss to Johns Hopkins. The loss did not dampen their enthusiasm for the sport. Virginia returned the favor with a 58–0 drubbing of Hopkins the following season when they went 4–2, with a 180–4 margin in its victories and two close losses to an eight-win Lehigh team and Navy.
, who wrote disparagingly of the arrival of "professional athletes in disguise" from all over the country. School President Edwin Alderman
, though a tireless proponent of college football, was significantly alarmed to appoint an investigating committee in 1904, and a strict athletic code was written in 1906.
halfback
named Eugene N. "Buck" Mayer. Season tickets were $7.50 for students and $9.50 for alumni when 8,000-seat Lambeth Stadium opened in 1913, with a price tag of $35,000. The season began with three home shutout victories for Virginia, followed later in the season by a home game with Vanderbilt
that was billed as The Football Classic of the South. Trainloads of alumni rolled into Charlottesville
to watch Virginia crush the Commodores, 34–0, at Lambeth's dedication.
—a "Rally 'Round the Rotunda
" won by UVA, 28–0, in a drizzle, as Bobby Gooch "general-led his men with rare ability," the Alumni News gushed.
Betting was heavy on Yale
for a 1915 game that ranked as the biggest all-time win at that stage of Virginia's history. No Southern team had ever defeated the Ivy League
power until Virginia—led by quarterback Norborne Berkeley and Buck Mayer—won 10–0 in New Haven
. Headlines in the Charlottesville Daily Progress read, "Yale Bowl a Soup Tureen—Virginia Eleven Serves Dish of Bulldog Stew!"
The University's first-ever losing football season occurred the next year, including a 61–3 payback at Yale
. "Played them too early in the season," moaned a 1916 Alumni News. Questions about the role of athletics were cast aside in 1917, dwarfed by a larger battlefront now known as World War I. Athletics were curtailed in 1917 and 1918 "in an effort to adapt this University to the stern necessities of a people at war," according to the Corks & Curls.
The war ended, enrollment began to rebuild, and football practice resumed in 1919 with only two lettermen. "All Trains Lead to Charlottesville!" proclaimed posters promoting the "Great Post War Gathering of Virginia Alumni" for the November 15, 1919, home game with Vanderbilt
. UVA lost, 10–6, and dropped the traditional Thanksgiving Day game with North Carolina
to finish the "start-up" season at 2–5–2.
In December 1919, Dr. Rice Warren was hired as coach in 1920. Warren led the 1920 squad to a 5–2–2 record. UVA also joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
in 1920, but left with many SIAA teams to form the Southern Conference
in 1921. Rice Warren's tenure ended before the 1922 season, and new coach Thomas Campbell
guided the team to a 4–4–1 record—not so mediocre considering the '21 team had managed only three points in its final four games.
around 1923, and the leader of the first "official Cavs" was Earle "Greasy" Neale. Although his 1923 record was 3–5–1, his teams enjoyed winning records from 1924–27 before falling to 2–6–1 in 1928. Student indifference ran high, participation ran low, and Neale resigned after the '28 season.
Earl Abell
took the football reins for two years in the midst of another athletic department reshuffle. The position of athletic director was created, and James G. Driver
—a three-year letterman at UVa—was named Athletic Director.
Lambeth Field was outgrown by the spring of 1930, as varsity and first-year teams in football
, baseball
, track
, and lacrosse
attempted to practice there. UVA historian Virginius Dabney
related that spring football workouts were stopped due to the javelins and discus throwers.
The University began negotiating to obtain land for a new sports site, and plans were finalized for Scott Stadium
to open in October 1931. Land for practice fields between Ivy Road and the C&O Railroad tracks also was acquired.
Support for UVA football had become spasmodic—even fraternity brothers were betting openly against the Cavaliers—around 1930, but in 1931, a dynamic new coach named Fred Dawson
buoyed spirits. Losing seasons and a lack of athletic scholarships took a toll on Dawson's enthusiasm, however, and he quit after '33 and was succeeded by Gus Tebell
.
Just as frustrated at the dearth of notable wins was University President Edwin Anderson Alderman
, who impaneled a committee to study the situation. Virginia decided in 1936 to resign from the Southern Conference
, which prohibited players from being paid, in order to be able to offer sports scholarships.
Tebell bowed out after three losing seasons, succeeded in 1937 by Frank Murray
. Although the Cavaliers went 2–7 during Murray's first year, the team produced a state championship and near hysteria in the student body in 1938 with a 4–4–1 record.
William McGarvey Dudley, a 168-pounder from Bluefield, Virginia
, is often called the best ever to wear a Virginia uniform. Dudley, who wore jersey number 35, ran, passed, kicked, blocked, tackled, and intercepted his way to All America honors.
Under Murray, the 1940 team—running out of a T-formation—went 4–5, but improved to 8–1 in 1941, the only loss a 21–19 upset at Yale
. In his final game as a Cavalier, Dudley scored 22 points at North Carolina
in a Thanksgiving
classic broadcast nationally. After a 28–7 UVA win, his teammates carried him off the field. Dudley finished fifth in the 1941 Heisman Trophy
balloting. Murray's 1942 squad dropped to 2–6–1, having lost 29 players to graduation and "scholarshipping for Uncle Sam."
Until the war ended in 1945, UVA football functioned with makeshift teams—guest stars from other schools enrolled in the University's military units and were thus eligible to play. In spite of a 7–2 season, Frank Murray left, succeeded in 1946 by Art Guepe, who coached seven years with a winning record.
, George Neff, and Bob "Rock" Weir. The game was significant because UVA was facing its first-ever black player—Harvard's Chester Pierce. The gridiron success of the late '40s continued into the early '50s, as Guepe teams—with Papit, Joe Palumbo
, and Tom Scott
winning All-America honors—lost only five games from 1950 through 1952. Virginia routinely finished ranked in the top ten schools in the country.
The Guepe years ended after the 1952 season, when the coach was wooed away by Vanderbilt
in the wake of University President Colgate Darden's refusal to allow Virginia to participate in any postseason football play. Virginia had just escaped being banned permanently from the NCAA for granting athletic scholarships to student athletes, which was illegal at that time. The NCAA's "Sanity Rules" mandated that college athletes were required to work for their tuition, though this rule was often openly flouted (for instance, prior to the 1950 Rose Bowl, it was revealed that at least 16 Ohio State Buckeye football players had cushy jobs with the state of Ohio, including a running back on the payroll of the state’s transportation department as a tire inspector).
President Darden made a principled argument against the statute, noting the example of teams such as Ohio State, and stated unequivocally that his school had no intention of following the Code as it enabled the powerhouse schools of the Big Ten and SEC to ignore academics and essentially pay to retain football talent. While UVA (along with traditional UVA rivals Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Maryland, and Boston College) escaped being banned from NCAA play, President Darden was concerned about the effect of "big time football" on the academical status of the University. After the 1951 football season, in which UVA only lost one game, the Virginia Cavaliers found themselves invited to the Cotton Bowl, which President Darden promptly declined, setting a precedent not broken for thirty years.
Also in 1951, professor Miles Gooch wrote the "Gooch Report", which requested that UVA abolish its football program and discontinue giving athletic scholarships. While President Darden was opposed to entirely abolishing the football program or athletic scholarships, he did diminish the number of athletic scholarships given by 80%. The next year, the Cavaliers' record plunged to 1–8.
on opening day of the 1961 season. Virginia beat William & Mary
21–6.
's last year, UVA's football program was integrated for the first time, with the signing of Harrison Davis, Stanley Land, Kent Merritt, and John Rainey. Blackburn was replaced by Don Lawrence
, who suffered through three consecutive losing seasons between 1971 and 1973. Lawrence was succeeded by Ulmo Shannon "Sonny" Randle, UVa '59. Astroturf
was laid at Scott Stadium in May 1974 and the team still had a losing season, going 4–7.
After a disastrous 1–10 season in 1975, Athletic Director Eugene Corrigan fired Randle and hired Dick Bestwick
in 1976. Bestwick proved to be popular with players, alumni, and faculty until the team suffered five losing seasons in six years. Bestwick was dismissed by Athletic Director Dick Schultz
after the 1981 season.
. He spent years as an assistant coach under Joe Paterno
and brought a winning tradition in his 19 years at the helm.
After going 2–9 and 6–5 in his first two campaigns, Welsh guided the Cavaliers to an 8–2-2 season in 1984 with a 27–24 Peach Bowl win over Purdue
representing UVA's first-ever bowl appearance and win.
Many UVA firsts continued under George Welsh:
In 1985 and 1986 the Cavs did not go to bowl games. In 1987 they started 3–4 but would win the last five games to finish 8–4 with an All-American Bowl win over BYU. In 1988 the Cavs started 2–4 but would win their last five games to finish 7–4 with no bowl game. The 1989 season was the greatest season in school history, with a record of 10–3 overall, and the winning of the program's first ACC championship. Virginia would go on to lose the Florida Citrus Bowl, the first New Year's Day bowl in school history.
Virginia, wearing new uniforms for the first time in 10 years and only the second time in head coach George Welsh's tenure, enjoyed one of the finest seasons in their history in 1994.
Most noticeably, the team switched from white helmets with orange and blue stripes down the middle to dark blue helmets with a "V" over two crossed sabres on the sides. The V-Sabre logo was designed by Coach Welsh's son Matt. The rest of the uniform changed from predominantly orange and white to predominantly blue and white.
Representing a major athletic facility improvement, the artificial turf
at Scott Stadium
was removed and replaced with natural grass before the start of the 1995 season. Artificial turf was first installed at Scott Stadium in 1974. David A. Harrison III Field was dedicated September 2, 1995, at Virginia's home opener against William & Mary. In 1995, the Cavaliers won their second ACC title.
Citing concerns about his health as a primary reason for his decision, Welsh announced his retirement in a press conference on December 11, 2000, where he said simply "I am now, and forever will be, a Wahoo." Welsh stepped down at Virginia at the age of 67 after establishing himself as the winningest coach in UVA and ACC history. He compiled a 19-year record of 134–86–3 at Virginia, including a conference-record 80 ACC wins. Welsh led the Cavaliers to 12 bowl games and 14 consecutive years of winning at least 7 games.
head coach and former Virginia player Al Groh
. His first year was a rebuilding year with the team going 5–7. Groh then led the Cavaliers to four consecutive winning seasons from 2002 to 2005, including a 3–1 record in bowl games. The 2002 squad saw the breakout season of quarterback Matt Schaub
, who led the Cavaliers to a 9–5 season capped by a 48–22 blowout of West Virginia
in the Continental Tire Bowl
. The 2003 team faced adversity with an early season injury to Schaub, but the team rallied to finish the year 8–5, including a victory over Pittsburgh in the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl
. The 2004 team reached #6 in national polls after a 5–0 start, the Cavaliers' highest ranking since 1990, but they lost 36–3 at #7 Florida State and finished 8–4 after an upset loss to Fresno State in the MPC Computers Bowl
. The 2005 team finished with a 7–5 record, but included Virginia's second-ever victory over Florida State and a win over Minnesota
in the Music City Bowl
. The 2006 squad's
record slipped to 5–7. In 2007 the team
went 9–3 for the season, including a 48–0 shutout of the University of Miami in the Hurricanes' last home game in the Orange Bowl Stadium
, as well as setting an NCAA record for wins by two points or fewer (five). Gaining an invitation to Jacksonville, Florida
, for the Gator Bowl
, they subsequently lost 28–31 to Texas Tech
. For 2008, the team
started with several big losses, but went on to win four games in a row before losing the last four of the season, finishing 5–7. Virginia's 2009 campaign under Groh started with a stunning 26–14 loss to William & Mary
of the FCS (formerly I-AA). It was UVA's first loss to a I-AA team since losing to William & Mary 41–37 in 1986. The 2009 team
ended 3–9 and Groh was fired following the last game of the season, a loss against rival Virginia Tech
.
was named head coach of the Cavaliers on December 7, 2009. London, who was previously head coach at the University of Richmond
, was an assistant coach under Al Groh from 2001–04 and again from 2006–07. London became one of only 10 black head coaches at the Division I-A level. In his first season with the Cavs, the team went 4–8 overall and 1–7 in conference play.
ACC Championship
had referred to the Cavaliers as "White Meat" back in the 1960s and they hadn't lost to Virginia since. Despite Welsh's success, the Tigers' record against the Cavaliers stood at 29–0 after Clemson defeated the 1989 Virginia team that captured the ACC championship. Behind a high-powered offense with Shawn Moore
, Herman Moore
, and Terry Kirby
and a strong defensive effort led by Chris Slade, the Cavaliers finally defeated Clemson, which was ranked in the top ten at the time, in the second game of the 1990 season. The win propelled the Cavaliers' rise in the polls, which culminated in a number-one ranking in late October.
. Playing on national television in the first-ever Thursday night game in Charlottesville
, Virginia stopped the Seminoles at the goal line on the game's final play to preserve the win. With the victory, the Cavaliers ended FSU's four-year, 29-game winning streak against ACC teams since joining the conference in 1992. Florida State became the highest-ranked team to ever fall to the Cavaliers. Virginia and Florida State were later crowned co-ACC champions after finishing the season with identical 7–1 conference records.
intercepted a Tar Heel pass in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Tim Sherman then led the Cavaliers to another ten points, capped by Rafael Garcia's late game field goal, and the defense shut down the demoralized Tar Heels for a stunning 20–17 comeback victory. The defeat cost North Carolina a bid to the Bowl Alliance
; coach Mack Brown
left UNC for Texas after another highly-ranked Tar Heel team in 1997 also failed to receive a Bowl Alliance bid.
in the greatest comeback in school history. Down 29–7 at the half, the Cavaliers outscored the Hokies 29–3 in the final two quarters. UVA capped its historic rally with a game-winning 47-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Brooks to wide receiver
Ahmad Hawkins
with 2:01 left to play.
College Football Hall of Fame
NFL Hall of Famers
Virginia Cavaliers
The Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
football is a college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. Established in 1888 playing local YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
teams and other state teams without pads, the Virginia football program has evolved into a multimillion dollar operation that plays in front of 61,500 fans at Scott Stadium
Scott Stadium
Scott Stadium , located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is the home of the Virginia Cavaliers football team. It sits on the University of Virginia's Grounds, east of Hereford College and first-year dorms on Alderman Road but west of Brown College and the Lawn...
in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
.
The Cavaliers have three major rivals in football: Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
, and Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
. The ACC's longest series is the South's Oldest Rivalry
South's Oldest Rivalry
The South's Oldest Rivalry is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Virginia Cavaliers football team of the University of Virginia and the North Carolina Tar Heels football team of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...
between Virginia and North Carolina. The Cavaliers also compete for the Commonwealth Cup
Commonwealth Cup
The Commonwealth Cup is an American college football rivalry game played between the Virginia Cavaliers football team of the University of Virginia and the Virginia Tech Hokies football team of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Typically, this series is played on a Saturday...
against Virginia Tech and play in the Beltway Brawl against Maryland. While Virginia has played North Carolina more times (116) than any other rival, all of these programs—Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech—consider Virginia to be their longest-standing rival.
Conference affiliations
- IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
(1888–1894) - Southern Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationThe Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association was one of the first collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Twenty-seven of the current Division I FBS football programs were members of this conference at some point, as were at least 19 other schools...
(1894–1921) - Southern ConferenceSouthern ConferenceThe Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
(1921–1937) - IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
(1937–1953) - Atlantic Coast ConferenceAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(1953–present)- Coastal Division (2005–present)
Beginnings
Students at UVA were playing pickup games of the kicking-style of football as early as 1870, and some accounts even claim that some industrious ones organized a game against Washington and Lee College in 1871, just two years after Rutgers and Princeton's historic first game in 1869. But no record has been found of the score of this contest. In 1874, University students were introduced to the sport of rugby when they played to a scoreless tie against a team of Englishmen from Albemarle County. Eight years later, in November, 1883, a football club was reorganized, a constitution drawn up, and officers elected. 75 men competed against one another, but not against another collegiate club. The University Magazine describes how "pluck is cultivated by throttling one's competitor and violently throwing him to the ground."
Finally, in the fall of 1887, Willcox and Reid, after garnering interest in their fellow students throughout the year, helped Virginia put its first regularly organized team in the field. But, being the first, and only, collegiate team in the South, they had had no one to play. Fortunately, Pantops Academy, a boys' school founded just up the road from the UVA Grounds, agreed to a game on November 13, 1887. After playing to a scoreless tie, a rematch was scheduled for March of 1888. The historic first touchdown was scored by quarterback Herbert Barry and the University won 26–0.
The following season, on December 8, 1888, UVa would play their first intercollegiate game, a 26–0 loss to Johns Hopkins. The loss did not dampen their enthusiasm for the sport. Virginia returned the favor with a 58–0 drubbing of Hopkins the following season when they went 4–2, with a 180–4 margin in its victories and two close losses to an eight-win Lehigh team and Navy.
Lambeth Field
Work began in 1901 on 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) Lambeth Field, propelling sports development at UVA. Lambeth Field was named after William Lambeth, a professor at the University of Virginia, and one of the participants in the major rules committees that were enacted to make football a safer sport. The trend was not welcome in all corners, however, according to University historian Philip Alexander BrucePhilip Alexander Bruce
Philip Alexander Bruce was an American historian who specialized in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Author of over a dozen volumes of history, Bruce's scope ranged from the first Virginia settlements to the early 20th century...
, who wrote disparagingly of the arrival of "professional athletes in disguise" from all over the country. School President Edwin Alderman
Edwin Alderman
Edwin Anderson Alderman served as the President of three universities. The University of Virginia's Alderman Library is named after him, as is in Wilmington and Alderman dorm at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...
, though a tireless proponent of college football, was significantly alarmed to appoint an investigating committee in 1904, and a strict athletic code was written in 1906.
Coaching Carousel
Between 1900 and 1915 saw Virginia change coaches 10 times and achieve 10 winning seasons with help from a quarterback named Robert K. "Bobby" Gooch and a Walter Camp All-AmericaAll-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
halfback
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
named Eugene N. "Buck" Mayer. Season tickets were $7.50 for students and $9.50 for alumni when 8,000-seat Lambeth Stadium opened in 1913, with a price tag of $35,000. The season began with three home shutout victories for Virginia, followed later in the season by a home game with Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores are the NCAA athletic teams of Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The university fields 16 varsity teams , 14 of which compete in the Southeastern Conference...
that was billed as The Football Classic of the South. Trainloads of alumni rolled into Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
to watch Virginia crush the Commodores, 34–0, at Lambeth's dedication.
1900–1920
For years hence, it was traditional to designate "a greatest home game" each season. In 1914, it was GeorgiaGeorgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...
—a "Rally 'Round the Rotunda
The Rotunda (University of Virginia)
The Rotunda is a building located on The Lawn in the original grounds of the University of Virginia. It was designed by Thomas Jefferson to represent the "authority of nature and power of reason" and was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Construction began in 1822 and was completed in 1826, after...
" won by UVA, 28–0, in a drizzle, as Bobby Gooch "general-led his men with rare ability," the Alumni News gushed.
Betting was heavy on Yale
YALE
RapidMiner, formerly YALE , is an environment for machine learning, data mining, text mining, predictive analytics, and business analytics. It is used for research, education, training, rapid prototyping, application development, and industrial applications...
for a 1915 game that ranked as the biggest all-time win at that stage of Virginia's history. No Southern team had ever defeated the Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
power until Virginia—led by quarterback Norborne Berkeley and Buck Mayer—won 10–0 in New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
. Headlines in the Charlottesville Daily Progress read, "Yale Bowl a Soup Tureen—Virginia Eleven Serves Dish of Bulldog Stew!"
The University's first-ever losing football season occurred the next year, including a 61–3 payback at Yale
YALE
RapidMiner, formerly YALE , is an environment for machine learning, data mining, text mining, predictive analytics, and business analytics. It is used for research, education, training, rapid prototyping, application development, and industrial applications...
. "Played them too early in the season," moaned a 1916 Alumni News. Questions about the role of athletics were cast aside in 1917, dwarfed by a larger battlefront now known as World War I. Athletics were curtailed in 1917 and 1918 "in an effort to adapt this University to the stern necessities of a people at war," according to the Corks & Curls.
The war ended, enrollment began to rebuild, and football practice resumed in 1919 with only two lettermen. "All Trains Lead to Charlottesville!" proclaimed posters promoting the "Great Post War Gathering of Virginia Alumni" for the November 15, 1919, home game with Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores are the NCAA athletic teams of Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The university fields 16 varsity teams , 14 of which compete in the Southeastern Conference...
. UVA lost, 10–6, and dropped the traditional Thanksgiving Day game with North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
to finish the "start-up" season at 2–5–2.
In December 1919, Dr. Rice Warren was hired as coach in 1920. Warren led the 1920 squad to a 5–2–2 record. UVA also joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association was one of the first collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Twenty-seven of the current Division I FBS football programs were members of this conference at some point, as were at least 19 other schools...
in 1920, but left with many SIAA teams to form the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
in 1921. Rice Warren's tenure ended before the 1922 season, and new coach Thomas Campbell
Thomas Campbell (coach)
Thomas J. Campbell was a college football head coach. From 1916 to 1919, he served as the head coach at North Carolina, where he compiled a 9-7-1 record. His 1916 team went 5-4, whereas his 1919 team went 4-3-1. From 1917 to 1918, he had served in the military for World War I, and the football...
guided the team to a 4–4–1 record—not so mediocre considering the '21 team had managed only three points in its final four games.
Beginning of the Cavaliers
University teams became the Virginia CavaliersVirginia Cavaliers
The Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
around 1923, and the leader of the first "official Cavs" was Earle "Greasy" Neale. Although his 1923 record was 3–5–1, his teams enjoyed winning records from 1924–27 before falling to 2–6–1 in 1928. Student indifference ran high, participation ran low, and Neale resigned after the '28 season.
Earl Abell
Earl Abell
Earl C. "Tuffy" Abell was an American football player and coach. He played college football as a tackle at Colgate University. He later returned to Colgate as an assistant coach in 1925, and took over the head coaching job in 1928. He spent the 1929 and 1930 football seasons as head coach of...
took the football reins for two years in the midst of another athletic department reshuffle. The position of athletic director was created, and James G. Driver
James G. Driver
-External links:* at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame...
—a three-year letterman at UVa—was named Athletic Director.
Lambeth Field was outgrown by the spring of 1930, as varsity and first-year teams in football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
, and lacrosse
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
attempted to practice there. UVA historian Virginius Dabney
Virginius Dabney
Virginius Dabney was a U.S. teacher, journalist, writer, and editor. He was the editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch from 1936 to 1969 and author of several historical books...
related that spring football workouts were stopped due to the javelins and discus throwers.
New stadium
Scott Stadium
Scott Stadium , located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is the home of the Virginia Cavaliers football team. It sits on the University of Virginia's Grounds, east of Hereford College and first-year dorms on Alderman Road but west of Brown College and the Lawn...
to open in October 1931. Land for practice fields between Ivy Road and the C&O Railroad tracks also was acquired.
Support for UVA football had become spasmodic—even fraternity brothers were betting openly against the Cavaliers—around 1930, but in 1931, a dynamic new coach named Fred Dawson
Fred Dawson
-References:...
buoyed spirits. Losing seasons and a lack of athletic scholarships took a toll on Dawson's enthusiasm, however, and he quit after '33 and was succeeded by Gus Tebell
Gus Tebell
-External links:...
.
Just as frustrated at the dearth of notable wins was University President Edwin Anderson Alderman
Edwin Alderman
Edwin Anderson Alderman served as the President of three universities. The University of Virginia's Alderman Library is named after him, as is in Wilmington and Alderman dorm at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...
, who impaneled a committee to study the situation. Virginia decided in 1936 to resign from the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
, which prohibited players from being paid, in order to be able to offer sports scholarships.
Tebell bowed out after three losing seasons, succeeded in 1937 by Frank Murray
Frank Murray
Frank J. Murray was an American football and basketball coach. He is one of the few head football coaches to have non-consecutive tenure at the same college or university. Murray was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.-Marquette:Murray was the 13th head football at the...
. Although the Cavaliers went 2–7 during Murray's first year, the team produced a state championship and near hysteria in the student body in 1938 with a 4–4–1 record.
WWII years
The 1940s were a time of mixed success for the Cavaliers—largely thanks to the large numbers of students who served in the armed forces—but it was also known as the era of "Bullet Bill."William McGarvey Dudley, a 168-pounder from Bluefield, Virginia
Bluefield, Virginia
Bluefield is a town in Tazewell County, Virginia, along the Bluestone River. The population was 5,078 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578...
, is often called the best ever to wear a Virginia uniform. Dudley, who wore jersey number 35, ran, passed, kicked, blocked, tackled, and intercepted his way to All America honors.
Under Murray, the 1940 team—running out of a T-formation—went 4–5, but improved to 8–1 in 1941, the only loss a 21–19 upset at Yale
YALE
RapidMiner, formerly YALE , is an environment for machine learning, data mining, text mining, predictive analytics, and business analytics. It is used for research, education, training, rapid prototyping, application development, and industrial applications...
. In his final game as a Cavalier, Dudley scored 22 points at North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
in a Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
classic broadcast nationally. After a 28–7 UVA win, his teammates carried him off the field. Dudley finished fifth in the 1941 Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
balloting. Murray's 1942 squad dropped to 2–6–1, having lost 29 players to graduation and "scholarshipping for Uncle Sam."
Until the war ended in 1945, UVA football functioned with makeshift teams—guest stars from other schools enrolled in the University's military units and were thus eligible to play. In spite of a 7–2 season, Frank Murray left, succeeded in 1946 by Art Guepe, who coached seven years with a winning record.
Post-war years
In 1947, Virginia defeated Harvard, 47–0, with a team that featured John PapitJohn Papit
John Michael Papit is a former American football halfback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at the University of Virginia and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1951 NFL Draft....
, George Neff, and Bob "Rock" Weir. The game was significant because UVA was facing its first-ever black player—Harvard's Chester Pierce. The gridiron success of the late '40s continued into the early '50s, as Guepe teams—with Papit, Joe Palumbo
Joe Palumbo
Joseph C. "Joe" Palumbo is a former American football guard. He played college football for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999....
, and Tom Scott
Tom Scott (NFL player)
Thomas Coster Scott is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Virginia, where he was an All-American as an offensive and defensive end. He was inducted into the...
winning All-America honors—lost only five games from 1950 through 1952. Virginia routinely finished ranked in the top ten schools in the country.
The Guepe years ended after the 1952 season, when the coach was wooed away by Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores are the NCAA athletic teams of Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The university fields 16 varsity teams , 14 of which compete in the Southeastern Conference...
in the wake of University President Colgate Darden's refusal to allow Virginia to participate in any postseason football play. Virginia had just escaped being banned permanently from the NCAA for granting athletic scholarships to student athletes, which was illegal at that time. The NCAA's "Sanity Rules" mandated that college athletes were required to work for their tuition, though this rule was often openly flouted (for instance, prior to the 1950 Rose Bowl, it was revealed that at least 16 Ohio State Buckeye football players had cushy jobs with the state of Ohio, including a running back on the payroll of the state’s transportation department as a tire inspector).
President Darden made a principled argument against the statute, noting the example of teams such as Ohio State, and stated unequivocally that his school had no intention of following the Code as it enabled the powerhouse schools of the Big Ten and SEC to ignore academics and essentially pay to retain football talent. While UVA (along with traditional UVA rivals Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Maryland, and Boston College) escaped being banned from NCAA play, President Darden was concerned about the effect of "big time football" on the academical status of the University. After the 1951 football season, in which UVA only lost one game, the Virginia Cavaliers found themselves invited to the Cotton Bowl, which President Darden promptly declined, setting a precedent not broken for thirty years.
Also in 1951, professor Miles Gooch wrote the "Gooch Report", which requested that UVA abolish its football program and discontinue giving athletic scholarships. While President Darden was opposed to entirely abolishing the football program or athletic scholarships, he did diminish the number of athletic scholarships given by 80%. The next year, the Cavaliers' record plunged to 1–8.
Joining the ACC
Heated arguments ensued about whether Virginia should join the Atlantic Coast Conference. Athletic Director and former football coach Gus Tebell and President Darden differed sharply—Tebell in favor, Darden worried about the league's academic standards and the belief that Virginia should only align with other Virginia schools—and the Board of Visitors backed Tebell. Virginia was admitted into the ACC on December 4, 1953. The first 9 years in the ACC brought 9 losing seasons and a 28-game losing streak (the second worst in NCAA FBS history), lasting from the third game of 1958 until the opening game of 1961. The streak ended in front of 18,000 fans in Scott StadiumScott Stadium
Scott Stadium , located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is the home of the Virginia Cavaliers football team. It sits on the University of Virginia's Grounds, east of Hereford College and first-year dorms on Alderman Road but west of Brown College and the Lawn...
on opening day of the 1961 season. Virginia beat William & Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
21–6.
Integration
In 1970, George BlackburnGeorge Blackburn
George "Blackie" Blackburn was an American football coach. He served as the head coach at Miami University , the University of Cincinnati , and the University of Virginia , compiling a career college football record of 61–60–7...
's last year, UVA's football program was integrated for the first time, with the signing of Harrison Davis, Stanley Land, Kent Merritt, and John Rainey. Blackburn was replaced by Don Lawrence
Don Lawrence
Donald Southam Lawrence was a British comic book artist and author.Lawrence is best known for his comic strips The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire in the British weeklies Ranger and Look and Learn and the Storm series, first published in the Dutch weekly Eppo...
, who suffered through three consecutive losing seasons between 1971 and 1973. Lawrence was succeeded by Ulmo Shannon "Sonny" Randle, UVa '59. Astroturf
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
was laid at Scott Stadium in May 1974 and the team still had a losing season, going 4–7.
After a disastrous 1–10 season in 1975, Athletic Director Eugene Corrigan fired Randle and hired Dick Bestwick
Dick Bestwick
Dick Bestwick is a former American football coach who served as head coach of the University of Virginia from 1975-1981 finishing with a career record as a head coach of 16-49-1. A native of Grove City, Pennsylvania, he played football and graduated from North Carolina in 1952. Dick went on to...
in 1976. Bestwick proved to be popular with players, alumni, and faculty until the team suffered five losing seasons in six years. Bestwick was dismissed by Athletic Director Dick Schultz
Dick Schultz
Dick Schultz , a native of Kellogg, Iowa, is the former head baseball and basketball coach at the University of Iowa and served as the executive director of the NCAA and USOC.-Biography:...
after the 1981 season.
The George Welsh era
Head Coach George Welsh was hired for the start of the 1982 season, leaving the same position at the U.S. Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
. He spent years as an assistant coach under Joe Paterno
Joe Paterno
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
and brought a winning tradition in his 19 years at the helm.
After going 2–9 and 6–5 in his first two campaigns, Welsh guided the Cavaliers to an 8–2-2 season in 1984 with a 27–24 Peach Bowl win over Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers
Boilermakers is the official nickname for the intercollegiate athletic teams of Purdue University. As is common with athletic nicknames, it is also used as colloquial designation of Purdue's students and alumni at large....
representing UVA's first-ever bowl appearance and win.
Many UVA firsts continued under George Welsh:
- First-ever unanimous All-America choice—1985, offensive tackle Jim DombrowskiJim DombrowskiJames Matthew Dombrowski was an American football guard and tackle in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints. Dombrowski attended Williamsville South High School and the University of Virginia where his Jersey number 73 was retired...
- First 10-win season—1989, 10–3
- First ACC Championship—1989
- First time ranked #1—1990, 4 weeks
- First team to beat Florida State in ACC play—1995
In 1985 and 1986 the Cavs did not go to bowl games. In 1987 they started 3–4 but would win the last five games to finish 8–4 with an All-American Bowl win over BYU. In 1988 the Cavs started 2–4 but would win their last five games to finish 7–4 with no bowl game. The 1989 season was the greatest season in school history, with a record of 10–3 overall, and the winning of the program's first ACC championship. Virginia would go on to lose the Florida Citrus Bowl, the first New Year's Day bowl in school history.
Virginia, wearing new uniforms for the first time in 10 years and only the second time in head coach George Welsh's tenure, enjoyed one of the finest seasons in their history in 1994.
Most noticeably, the team switched from white helmets with orange and blue stripes down the middle to dark blue helmets with a "V" over two crossed sabres on the sides. The V-Sabre logo was designed by Coach Welsh's son Matt. The rest of the uniform changed from predominantly orange and white to predominantly blue and white.
Representing a major athletic facility improvement, the artificial turf
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
at Scott Stadium
Scott Stadium
Scott Stadium , located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is the home of the Virginia Cavaliers football team. It sits on the University of Virginia's Grounds, east of Hereford College and first-year dorms on Alderman Road but west of Brown College and the Lawn...
was removed and replaced with natural grass before the start of the 1995 season. Artificial turf was first installed at Scott Stadium in 1974. David A. Harrison III Field was dedicated September 2, 1995, at Virginia's home opener against William & Mary. In 1995, the Cavaliers won their second ACC title.
Citing concerns about his health as a primary reason for his decision, Welsh announced his retirement in a press conference on December 11, 2000, where he said simply "I am now, and forever will be, a Wahoo." Welsh stepped down at Virginia at the age of 67 after establishing himself as the winningest coach in UVA and ACC history. He compiled a 19-year record of 134–86–3 at Virginia, including a conference-record 80 ACC wins. Welsh led the Cavaliers to 12 bowl games and 14 consecutive years of winning at least 7 games.
The Al Groh era
With the retirement of a UVA legend, the Virginia faithful were looking for a new coach who could bring the same success to the team that George Welsh maintained throughout his tenure. On December 30, 2000, Virginia hired New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
head coach and former Virginia player Al Groh
Al Groh
Al Groh is the defensive coordinator of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team. He is also a former head coach of the University of Virginia football team, a former head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team and the former head coach of the New York Jets of the NFL...
. His first year was a rebuilding year with the team going 5–7. Groh then led the Cavaliers to four consecutive winning seasons from 2002 to 2005, including a 3–1 record in bowl games. The 2002 squad saw the breakout season of quarterback Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub
Matthew Rutledge Schaub is the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.-College career:...
, who led the Cavaliers to a 9–5 season capped by a 48–22 blowout of West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming...
in the Continental Tire Bowl
2002 Continental Tire Bowl
The 2002 Continental Tire Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 22, 2002...
. The 2003 team faced adversity with an early season injury to Schaub, but the team rallied to finish the year 8–5, including a victory over Pittsburgh in the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl
2003 Continental Tire Bowl
The 2003 edition to the Continental Tire Bowl featured the Pittsburgh Panthers, and the Virginia Cavaliers. The game was the second edition to this bowl game. The game was played on Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 11:00 AM EST...
. The 2004 team reached #6 in national polls after a 5–0 start, the Cavaliers' highest ranking since 1990, but they lost 36–3 at #7 Florida State and finished 8–4 after an upset loss to Fresno State in the MPC Computers Bowl
MPC Computers Bowl
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I FBS college football bowl game that has been played annually at 33,500-seat Bronco Stadium on the campus of Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, since 1997...
. The 2005 team finished with a 7–5 record, but included Virginia's second-ever victory over Florida State and a win over Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
in the Music City Bowl
2005 Music City Bowl
The 2005 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl was a college football bowl game played between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers.-Game overview:...
. The 2006 squad's
2006 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2006 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach was coach Al Groh...
record slipped to 5–7. In 2007 the team
2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach is coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.- Preseason :...
went 9–3 for the season, including a 48–0 shutout of the University of Miami in the Hurricanes' last home game in the Orange Bowl Stadium
Miami Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl, formerly Burdine Stadium, was an outdoor athletic stadium in Miami, Florida, west of downtown in Little Havana. Considered a landmark, it was the home stadium for the Miami Hurricanes college football team...
, as well as setting an NCAA record for wins by two points or fewer (five). Gaining an invitation to Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, for the Gator Bowl
2008 Gator Bowl
The 2008 Gator Bowl was played on January 1, 2008 as part of the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It featured the Red Raiders of Texas Tech University, who finished 3rd in the Big 12 Conference's South Division, and the Cavaliers of the University of Virginia, who finished 2nd in the...
, they subsequently lost 28–31 to Texas Tech
2007 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team
The 2007 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the college football season of 2007–2008. The team was coached by Mike Leach...
. For 2008, the team
2008 Virginia Cavaliers Football Team
The 2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Virginia's 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Cavaliers were led by...
started with several big losses, but went on to win four games in a row before losing the last four of the season, finishing 5–7. Virginia's 2009 campaign under Groh started with a stunning 26–14 loss to William & Mary
2009 William & Mary Tribe football team
The 2009 William & Mary Tribe football team represented the College of William & Mary in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision college football during the 2009 season...
of the FCS (formerly I-AA). It was UVA's first loss to a I-AA team since losing to William & Mary 41–37 in 1986. The 2009 team
2009 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2009 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2009 season as a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers were led by ninth-year head coach Al Groh...
ended 3–9 and Groh was fired following the last game of the season, a loss against rival Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Virginia Tech Hokies are the athletic teams officially representing Virginia Tech in college sports. The Hokies participate in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic Coast Conference in 19 varsity sports. Virginia Tech's men's sports are football, basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, soccer,...
.
The Mike London era
Mike LondonMike London
Mike London is the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers football program of the University of Virginia. A native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, London played college and pro football as a defensive back for the Richmond Spiders and Dallas Cowboys...
was named head coach of the Cavaliers on December 7, 2009. London, who was previously head coach at the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
, was an assistant coach under Al Groh from 2001–04 and again from 2006–07. London became one of only 10 black head coaches at the Division I-A level. In his first season with the Cavs, the team went 4–8 overall and 1–7 in conference play.
Current Coaching Staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Mike London Mike London Mike London is the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers football program of the University of Virginia. A native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, London played college and pro football as a defensive back for the Richmond Spiders and Dallas Cowboys... |
Head Coach |
| Jim Reid | Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator |
| Bill Lazor Bill Lazor Bill Lazor is the current offensive coordinator of the University of Virginia Cavaliers and former quarterbacks coach of both the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks.-Playing career:... |
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach |
| Jeff Hanson Jeff Hanson Jeff Hanson was a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist whose voice was described in a 2005 Paste review as an "angelic falsetto, a cross between Alison Krauss and Art Garfunkel that is often mistaken for a female contralto."-Biography:Hanson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin... |
Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach |
| Anthony Poindexter Anthony Poindexter Anthony Scott Poindexter is a former American football player for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns... |
Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties Coach |
| Vincent Brown Vincent Brown Vincent "The Undertaker" Brown is a former NFL linebacker who spent his entire career with the New England Patriots. He is currently the linebackers coach at the University of Virginia.-External links:***... |
Linebackers Coach |
| Mike Faragalli Mike Faragalli Mike Faragalli is the running backs coach at the University of Virginia. He was the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach at the University of Richmond... |
Running Backs Coach |
| Shawn Moore Shawn Moore Shawn Levique Moore is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback and coach. He attended college at the University of Virginia and has returned to Virginia as an assistant coach under Mike London.... |
Wide Receivers Coach |
| Scott Wachenheim | Tight Ends Coach |
| Chip West | Cornerbacks Coach |
Head coaches
- 1887–1891 Unknown, most teams were led by the players themselves
- 1892 William C. Spicer
- 1893–1894 Johnny PoeJohnny PoeJohn P. "Johnny" Poe, Jr. was an American college football player and coach, soldier, Marine, and soldier of fortune, whose exploits on the gridiron and the battlefield contributed to the lore and traditions of the Princeton Tigers football program.-Family:John Prentiss Poe, Jr., known as...
- 1895 Harry Arista MackeyHarry Arista Mackey-External links:...
- 1896–1897 Marty BergenMarty Bergen (coach)-External links:...
- 1898 Joseph MassieJoseph Massie (coach)Joseph A. Massie is a former head coach of the both the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech University football programs.-Head coaching record:-References:...
(Virginia 1893) - 1899–1900 Archie HoxtonArchie HoxtonArthur F. "Archie" Hoxton is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program from 1899-1900.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
(Virginia 1896) - 1901 Wesley AbbottWesley AbbottC. Wesley Abbott was the head coach of the University of Virginia college football program in 1901.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
- 1902 John De SaullesJohn de SaullesJohn Gerard Longer de Saulles was an American athlete, real estate broker, and businessman whose murder by his millionaire wife led to a widely-reported trial.-Early life:...
- 1903 Gresham PoeGresham PoeGresham Hough Poe was an American football player and coach. He was the head coach of the University of Virginia football program from 1903 to 1903. Prior to that he played as a substitute quarterback for the Princeton Tigers...
- 1904 Foster Sanford
- 1905–1906 William ColeW. C. ColeWilliam C. "King" Cole was a college football player and coach. He played as a tackle and end for the University of Michigan's 1902 "Point-a-Minute" championship football team. He played for an undefeated national championship team at Michigan in 1902 and was assistant coach to Fielding H. Yost...
- 1907 Hammond JohnsonHammond JohnsonE. Hammond Johnson is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program from 1907-1907.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
(Virginia 1907) - 1908 Merritt Cooke Jr. (Virginia 1906)
- 1909 John NeffJohn NeffJohn Neff is one of the best known mutual fund investors of the past 40 years, notable for his contrarian and value investing styles as well as heading Vanguard's Windsor Fund. Windsor was the best performing mutual fund during his tenure and became the largest fund closing to new investors in the...
(Virginia 1908) - 1910 Charles CrawfordCharles Crawford (coach)Charles B. Crawford is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program in 1910.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
(Virginia 1908) - 1911 Kemper YanceyKemper Yancey-External links:...
(Virginia 1909) - 1912 John “Speed” ElliottJohn Elliott (coach)John S. "Speed" Elliott is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program from 1912-1912.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
(Virginia 1909) - 1914 Joseph WoodJoseph Wood (coach)Joseph M. Wood is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program from 1914-1914.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
(Virginia 1914) - 1915 Harry VarnerHarry VarnerHenry H. Varner is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program from 1915-1915.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
(Virginia 1911) - 1916 Peyton EvansPeyton EvansPeyton R. Evans is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program from 1916-1916.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
(Virginia 1915) - 1917–1918 No Team
- 1919 Harris Coleman (Virginia 1916)
- 1913, 1920–1921 Rice Warren (Virginia 1905)
- 1922 Thomas CampbellThomas Campbell (coach)Thomas J. Campbell was a college football head coach. From 1916 to 1919, he served as the head coach at North Carolina, where he compiled a 9-7-1 record. His 1916 team went 5-4, whereas his 1919 team went 4-3-1. From 1917 to 1918, he had served in the military for World War I, and the football...
- 1923–1928 Earle "Greasy" Neale
- 1929–1930 Earl AbellEarl AbellEarl C. "Tuffy" Abell was an American football player and coach. He played college football as a tackle at Colgate University. He later returned to Colgate as an assistant coach in 1925, and took over the head coaching job in 1928. He spent the 1929 and 1930 football seasons as head coach of...
- 1931–1933 Fred DawsonFred Dawson-References:...
- 1934–1936 Gus TebellGus Tebell-External links:...
- 1937–1945 Frank MurrayFrank MurrayFrank J. Murray was an American football and basketball coach. He is one of the few head football coaches to have non-consecutive tenure at the same college or university. Murray was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.-Marquette:Murray was the 13th head football at the...
- 1946–1952 Arthur GuepeArthur GuepeArthur L. "Art" Guepe was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Virginia from 1946 to 1952 and Vanderbilt University from 1953 to 1962, compiling a career college football record of 86–71–9.-Playing and assistant coaching career:Guepe...
- 1953–1955 Ned McDonaldNed McDonaldNed L. McDonald is a former head coach of the University of Virginia college football program from 1953-1955.-Head coaching record:-External links:...
- 1956–1957 Ben MartinBen Martin-External links:...
- 1958–1960 Richard VorisRichard VorisRichard Voris was the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers football program from 1958 to 1960. He is regarded as one of the worst college football coaches of all time, having a career record of 1-29 . A wide majority of the games he lost were by double digits, and his one win came against Duke with...
- 1961–1964 Bill EliasBill EliasWilliam T. "Bill" Elias is an American former football coach. He served as the head coach at George Washington University, the University of Virginia, and the United States Naval Academy...
- 1965–1970 George BlackburnGeorge BlackburnGeorge "Blackie" Blackburn was an American football coach. He served as the head coach at Miami University , the University of Cincinnati , and the University of Virginia , compiling a career college football record of 61–60–7...
- 1971–1973 Don LawrenceDon Lawrence (coach)Donald Jerome Lawrence is the former American football offensive coordinator for the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europa. He won two World Bowl rings with the Amsterdam Admirals and Frankfurt Galaxy. As the tight ends coach from 1990 to 1993, he took the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls...
- 1974–1975 Sonny RandleSonny Randle-References:...
(Virginia 1959) - 1976–1981 Dick BestwickDick BestwickDick Bestwick is a former American football coach who served as head coach of the University of Virginia from 1975-1981 finishing with a career record as a head coach of 16-49-1. A native of Grove City, Pennsylvania, he played football and graduated from North Carolina in 1952. Dick went on to...
- 1982–2000 George Welsh
- 2001–2009 Al GrohAl GrohAl Groh is the defensive coordinator of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team. He is also a former head coach of the University of Virginia football team, a former head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team and the former head coach of the New York Jets of the NFL...
(Virginia 1967) - 2010–Present Mike LondonMike LondonMike London is the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers football program of the University of Virginia. A native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, London played college and pro football as a defensive back for the Richmond Spiders and Dallas Cowboys...
Stadiums
- 1888–1912 Madison Hall Field
- 1913–1930 Lambeth Field
- 1931–present Scott StadiumScott StadiumScott Stadium , located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is the home of the Virginia Cavaliers football team. It sits on the University of Virginia's Grounds, east of Hereford College and first-year dorms on Alderman Road but west of Brown College and the Lawn...
Conference championships
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association ChampionshipSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association was one of the first collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Twenty-seven of the current Division I FBS football programs were members of this conference at some point, as were at least 19 other schools...
- 1908
ACC Championship
- 1989 (co-champions with Duke)
- 1995 (co-champions with Florida State)
Bowl History
Virginia's all-time bowl record is 7-10. The team has appeared in four consecutive bowl games twice in its history, once from 1994-1996, and the other from 2002-2005.| Date | Bowl | W/L | Opponent | PF | PA |
| December 31, 1984 | Peach Bowl 1984 Peach Bowl The 1984 Peach Bowl featured the of the Big Ten against the of the ACC. Virginia defeated Purdue 27-24.Purdue jumped out to a 24-14 halftime lead, However, Virginia scored the only points of the second half with a touchdown and two field goals in order to pull out the win... |
W | Purdue Purdue Boilermakers football The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of... |
27 | 24 |
| December 22, 1987 | All-American Bowl 1987 All-American Bowl The 1987 All-American Bowl featured the first meeting between the and the . BYU, coached by Lavell Edwards, had a 9–3 record going into the bowl game and Virginia, coached by George Welsh had a 7–4 record.-Game summary:... |
W | Brigham Young | 22 | 16 |
| January 1, 1990 | Florida Citrus Bowl 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl The 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando, Florida between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the on January 1, 1990... |
L | Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini football The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51... |
21 | 31 |
| January 1, 1991 | Sugar Bowl Sugar Bowl The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009... |
L | Tennessee Tennessee Volunteers football The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference .... |
22 | 23 |
| December 29, 1991 | Gator Bowl 1991 Gator Bowl (December) The 1991 Gator Bowl was a postseason college football match between Oklahoma Sooners and the Virginia Cavaliers at the Gator Bowl Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The University of Oklahoma represented the Big Eight Conference and Virginia represented the Atlantic Coast Conference in the... |
L | Oklahoma Oklahoma Sooners football The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
14 | 48 |
| January 1, 1994 | Carquest Bowl Champs Sports Bowl The Champs Sports Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Orlando, Florida, at the Citrus Bowl. The bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also organizes the Capital One Bowl and Florida Classic... |
L | Boston College Boston College Eagles football The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division... |
13 | 31 |
| December 28, 1994 | Independence Bowl Independence Bowl The Independence Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I college football bowl game that is played annually at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, so named because it was inaugurated in the United States bicentennial year, 1976.... |
W | TCU TCU Horned Frogs football The TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football... |
20 | 10 |
| December 30, 1995 | Peach Bowl | W | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... |
34 | 27 |
| December 27, 1996 | Carquest Bowl Champs Sports Bowl The Champs Sports Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Orlando, Florida, at the Citrus Bowl. The bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also organizes the Capital One Bowl and Florida Classic... |
L | Miami Miami Hurricanes football The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships... |
21 | 31 |
| December 31, 1998 | Peach Bowl 1998 Peach Bowl (December) The 1998 season edition to the Peach Bowl featured the Georgia Bulldogs and the .After a scoreless first quarter, Virginia scored first on a 2 yard Anthony Southern touchdown run, making the score 7-0. Aaron Brooks threw a 43 yard touchdown pass to Terrence Wilkins making the score 14-0. Brooks... |
L | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... |
33 | 35 |
| December 30, 1999 | Micronpc.com Champs Sports Bowl The Champs Sports Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Orlando, Florida, at the Citrus Bowl. The bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also organizes the Capital One Bowl and Florida Classic... |
L | Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini football The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51... |
21 | 63 |
| December 24, 2000 | Oahu Bowl 2000 Oahu Bowl The 2000 Jeep Oahu Bowl was a college football bowl game, played as part of the 2000-01 bowl game schedule of the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the 3rd and final game named Oahu Bowl, and became the Seattle Bowl for the 2001 contest. The game was played on December 24, 2000, at... |
L | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... |
14 | 37 |
| December 28, 2002 | Continental Tire Bowl 2002 Continental Tire Bowl The 2002 Continental Tire Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 22, 2002... |
W | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... |
48 | 22 |
| December 27, 2003 | Continental Tire Bowl 2003 Continental Tire Bowl The 2003 edition to the Continental Tire Bowl featured the Pittsburgh Panthers, and the Virginia Cavaliers. The game was the second edition to this bowl game. The game was played on Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 11:00 AM EST... |
W | Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Panthers football Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football... |
23 | 16 |
| December 27, 2004 | MPC Computers Bowl 2004 MPC Computers Bowl The 2004 MPC Computers Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the and the Virginia Cavaliers on December 27, 2004, at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Fresno State won the game 37-34 in overtime on a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Paul Pinegar to Stephen Spach.Virginia... |
L (OT) | Fresno State Fresno State Bulldogs football The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they... |
34 | 37 |
| December 30, 2005 | Music City Bowl 2005 Music City Bowl The 2005 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl was a college football bowl game played between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers.-Game overview:... |
W | Minnesota Minnesota Golden Gophers football The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as... |
34 | 31 |
| January 1, 2008 | Gator Bowl 2008 Gator Bowl The 2008 Gator Bowl was played on January 1, 2008 as part of the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It featured the Red Raiders of Texas Tech University, who finished 3rd in the Big 12 Conference's South Division, and the Cavaliers of the University of Virginia, who finished 2nd in the... |
L | Texas Tech Texas Tech Red Raiders football Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
28 | 31 |
Virginia 20 – Clemson 7
Prior to the arrival of George Welsh, Clemson dominated the series against Virginia. The Tigers had not lost a single game to the Cavaliers and most games were blowouts. Former Clemson coach Frank HowardFrank Howard (football coach)
Frank J. Howard was an American college football player and coach. He played college football for Alabama. After a career-ending injury, Howard joined the staff at Clemson College and became head coach in 1939. Howard would coach the Clemson Tigers for 30 years, amassing the 15th most wins of...
had referred to the Cavaliers as "White Meat" back in the 1960s and they hadn't lost to Virginia since. Despite Welsh's success, the Tigers' record against the Cavaliers stood at 29–0 after Clemson defeated the 1989 Virginia team that captured the ACC championship. Behind a high-powered offense with Shawn Moore
Shawn Moore
Shawn Levique Moore is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback and coach. He attended college at the University of Virginia and has returned to Virginia as an assistant coach under Mike London....
, Herman Moore
Herman Moore
Herman Joseph Moore is a former American National Football League wide receiver. At George Washington High School in Danville he played mostly as a kicker and also as a tight end. He went to the University of Virginia, where he was a 2-sport athlete...
, and Terry Kirby
Terry Kirby
Terry Gayle Kirby , is a former professional American football player who played ten seasons in the NFL from 1993 to 2002. A 6'1" running back from the University of Virginia...
and a strong defensive effort led by Chris Slade, the Cavaliers finally defeated Clemson, which was ranked in the top ten at the time, in the second game of the 1990 season. The win propelled the Cavaliers' rise in the polls, which culminated in a number-one ranking in late October.
Virginia 33 – Florida State 28
UVa managed to win its share of close games as the 1995 season unfolded, including a 33–28 upset victory over second-ranked and previously unbeaten Florida StateFlorida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles are the men's and women's sports teams of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State participates in the NCAA's Division I . FSU joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1991, and competes in the Atlantic Division in any sports split into a...
. Playing on national television in the first-ever Thursday night game in Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
, Virginia stopped the Seminoles at the goal line on the game's final play to preserve the win. With the victory, the Cavaliers ended FSU's four-year, 29-game winning streak against ACC teams since joining the conference in 1992. Florida State became the highest-ranked team to ever fall to the Cavaliers. Virginia and Florida State were later crowned co-ACC champions after finishing the season with identical 7–1 conference records.
Virginia 20 – North Carolina 17
During a generally disappointing 1996 season, the Cavaliers upset the top ten–ranked Tar Heels at Scott Stadium. In the fourth quarter, North Carolina led Virginia 17–3 and, having advanced within the Cavaliers' five-yard line, were about to put the game away. However, Virginia cornerback Antwan HarrisAntwan Harris
Melvin Antwan Harris is a former professional American football player who played defensive back for six seasons for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He won two Super Bowls with the Patriots in 2002 and 2004...
intercepted a Tar Heel pass in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Tim Sherman then led the Cavaliers to another ten points, capped by Rafael Garcia's late game field goal, and the defense shut down the demoralized Tar Heels for a stunning 20–17 comeback victory. The defeat cost North Carolina a bid to the Bowl Alliance
Bowl Alliance
The Bowl Alliance was an agreement among college football bowl games for the purpose of trying to match the top two teams in a national championship bowl game and to provide quality bowl game matchups for the champions of its member conferences...
; coach Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
left UNC for Texas after another highly-ranked Tar Heel team in 1997 also failed to receive a Bowl Alliance bid.
Virginia 36 – Virginia Tech 32
Virginia ended the 1998 regular season with a 36–32 victory at Virginia TechVirginia Tech Hokies
The Virginia Tech Hokies are the athletic teams officially representing Virginia Tech in college sports. The Hokies participate in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic Coast Conference in 19 varsity sports. Virginia Tech's men's sports are football, basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, soccer,...
in the greatest comeback in school history. Down 29–7 at the half, the Cavaliers outscored the Hokies 29–3 in the final two quarters. UVA capped its historic rally with a game-winning 47-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Brooks to wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Ahmad Hawkins
Ahmad Hawkins
Ahmad Hawkins is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He has also played for the Alabama Vipers. He was signed by the Colorado Crush as a street free agent in 2003...
with 2:01 left to play.
Major awards
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
- Bill DudleyBill DudleyWilliam McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.-Early life:Dudley was born in Bluefield, Virginia and...
—19411941 college football seasonThe 1941 college football regular season ended with the Golden Gophers of the University of Minnesota repeating as the AP Poll national champion. This was Minnesota's fifth national championship in eight years...
- Draddy TrophyDraddy TrophyThe William V. Campbell trophy, formerly the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, is a trophy awarded by the National Football Foundation that is given to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance...
- Draddy Trophy
- Thomas D. Burns—19931993 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State crowned national champions, but not without controversy.Under the Bowl Coalition, undefeated Big 8 champ and #2 ranked Nebraska hosted ACC champ and #1 ranked Florida State in the Orange Bowl...
- John Mackey AwardJohn Mackey AwardThe John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
- John Mackey Award
- Heath MillerHeath MillerEarl Heath Miller, Jr. is an American football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He was selected as the 30th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Virginia.-Early years:...
—20042004 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with several undefeated teams vying for a spot in the national title game, triggering controversy. In the 2003 season, no team finished the regular season unbeaten, and five teams finished the season with one loss...
- Ted Hendricks AwardTed Hendricks AwardThe Ted Hendricks Award is given annually to college football's top defensive end. The award is named after Ted Hendricks, who is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is presented by his own 501 foundation, called the Ted Hendricks...
- Ted Hendricks Award
- Chris LongChris Long (American football)Christopher Howard Long is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams second overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.Long is a son of Hall of Fame NFL defensive end Howie Long.-Early...
—20072007 NCAA Division I FBS football seasonThe 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
- Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year AwardBobby Dodd Coach of the Year AwardThe Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award is an annual college football award given to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coach whose team excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The award is named for Bobby Dodd, longtime head football coach at Georgia Tech and was...
- Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award
- George Welsh—1991
- ACC Coach of the Year
- Bill EliasBill EliasWilliam T. "Bill" Elias is an American former football coach. He served as the head coach at George Washington University, the University of Virginia, and the United States Naval Academy...
—19611961 college football seasonDuring the 20th century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A". The NCAA did recognize a national champion based upon the final results of "wire service" polls. The extent of that recognition came in the form of acknowledgment in... - George BlackburnGeorge BlackburnGeorge "Blackie" Blackburn was an American football coach. He served as the head coach at Miami University , the University of Cincinnati , and the University of Virginia , compiling a career college football record of 61–60–7...
—19681968 college football seasonIn the 1968 college football season, the system of "polls and bowls" changed. The Associated Press returned to its pre-1961 system of ranking the Top 20 rather than the Top 10, and voted on the national champion after the bowl games, rather than before. During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no... - George Welsh—1983, 1984, 1991, 1995
- Al GrohAl GrohAl Groh is the defensive coordinator of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team. He is also a former head coach of the University of Virginia football team, a former head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team and the former head coach of the New York Jets of the NFL...
—2002, 2007- ACC Player of the Year
- Bob DavisBob Davis (quarterback)Robert Ellersie Davis, Jr. is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback. He played at the University of Virginia...
—19661966 college football seasonThe 1966 college football season was marked by controversy as the year of "The Tie", a November 19 game between the two top-ranked teams, Michigan State and Notre Dame. Neither team participated in a post-season bowl game. At the same time, 1966 was the first year that the professional football... - Frank Quayle—1968
- Barry WordBarry WordBarry Quentin Word is a former American football running back for the National Football League.-College:...
—1985 - Shawn MooreShawn MooreShawn Levique Moore is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback and coach. He attended college at the University of Virginia and has returned to Virginia as an assistant coach under Mike London....
—1989, 1990 - Matt BlundinMatt BlundinMatthew Brent Blundin is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was a back-up quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions during the 1990s.-College career:...
—1991 - Tiki BarberTiki BarberAtiim Kiambu Hakeem-Ah "Tiki" Barber is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
—1996 - Matt SchaubMatt SchaubMatthew Rutledge Schaub is the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.-College career:...
—2002- ACC Rookie of the Year
- John Ford—1984
- Ronde BarberRonde BarberJamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
—1994- ACC Defensive Player of the Year
- Anthony PoindexterAnthony PoindexterAnthony Scott Poindexter is a former American football player for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns...
—1998 - Chris LongChris Long (American football)Christopher Howard Long is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams second overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.Long is a son of Hall of Fame NFL defensive end Howie Long.-Early...
—2007
First Team All Americans
- Jim Bakhtiar, fullbackFullback (American football)A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
, 1957 - Will Brice, punterPunter (football position)A punter in American or Canadian football is a special teams player who receives the snapped ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then punts the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage. This generally happens on a fourth down in American football and a...
, 1995 - Ahmad BrooksAhmad BrooksAhmad Brooks is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2006 NFL Supplemental Draft. He played college football at Virginia.He is the son of late NFL defensive tackle Perry...
, linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, 2004 - Elton BrownElton BrownElton Gillett Brown is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
, offensive guard, 2004 - Mark DixonMark DixonMark Dixon is a former NFL offensive guard who played five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Previously he had played in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes. He was an All-American at Virginia. Prior to Virginia, Dixon attended Lucy C. Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, North Carolina where he was...
, offensive guard, 1993 - Jim DombrowskiJim DombrowskiJames Matthew Dombrowski was an American football guard and tackle in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints. Dombrowski attended Williamsville South High School and the University of Virginia where his Jersey number 73 was retired...
, offensive tackle, 1985 - Bill DudleyBill DudleyWilliam McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.-Early life:Dudley was born in Bluefield, Virginia and...
, halfbackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, 1941 - Percy EllsworthPercy EllsworthPercy Daniel Ellsworth III is an American football safety in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns. Ellsworth joined the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996 after playing college football at the University of Virginia. He was teammates with Tiki...
, defensive backDefensive backIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
, 1995 - D'Brickashaw FergusonD'Brickashaw Ferguson-New York Jets:Ferguson finally reached the NFL when the New York Jets drafted him with the 4th pick overall after Vince Young was chosen by the Titans. On July 26, 2006, Ferguson signed a five-year deal with the Jets that was similar to the $35 million deal that 2005’s No. 4 pick, Cedric Benson,...
, offensive tackle, 2005 - Thomas Jones, tailbackTailbackTailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
, 1999 - Patrick KerneyPatrick Kerney-Atlanta Falcons:Kerney was drafted as the thirtieth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, wearing the number 97 jersey. The Falcons signed Kerney to a 5-year $5.6 million contract. As a rookie, Kerney started two games and recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks...
, defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, 1998 - Noel LaMontagne, offensive tackle/offensive guard, 1999
- Chris LongChris Long (American football)Christopher Howard Long is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams second overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.Long is a son of Hall of Fame NFL defensive end Howie Long.-Early...
, defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
2007 - Eugene MayerEugene MayerEugene Noble "Buck" Mayer was an All-American football player for the University of Virginia. He was the first football player from a Southern school to be recognized as a consensus first-team All-American....
, halfbackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
1915 - Heath MillerHeath MillerEarl Heath Miller, Jr. is an American football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He was selected as the 30th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Virginia.-Early years:...
, tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, 2004 - Herman MooreHerman MooreHerman Joseph Moore is a former American National Football League wide receiver. At George Washington High School in Danville he played mostly as a kicker and also as a tight end. He went to the University of Virginia, where he was a 2-sport athlete...
, wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, 1990 - Shawn MooreShawn MooreShawn Levique Moore is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback and coach. He attended college at the University of Virginia and has returned to Virginia as an assistant coach under Mike London....
, quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, 1990 - Joe PalumboJoe PalumboJoseph C. "Joe" Palumbo is a former American football guard. He played college football for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999....
, middle guard, 1951 - John PapitJohn PapitJohn Michael Papit is a former American football halfback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at the University of Virginia and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1951 NFL Draft....
, fullback, 1949 - Anthony PoindexterAnthony PoindexterAnthony Scott Poindexter is a former American football player for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns...
, defensive backDefensive backIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
, 1997 & 1998 - Ray Roberts, offensive tackle, 1991
- Ray Savage, defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
/outside linebacker, 1989 - Tom ScottTom Scott (NFL player)Thomas Coster Scott is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Virginia, where he was an All-American as an offensive and defensive end. He was inducted into the...
, defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, 1952 - Chris Slade, defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, 1991 & 1992 - John St. ClairJohn St. ClairJohn Bradley St. Clair is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.St...
, centerCenter (American football)Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
, 1999
Retired numbers
- 12—Shawn MooreShawn MooreShawn Levique Moore is a former National Football League and Canadian Football League quarterback and coach. He attended college at the University of Virginia and has returned to Virginia as an assistant coach under Mike London....
, quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... - 24—Frank Quayle, halfbackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
- 35—Bill DudleyBill DudleyWilliam McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.-Early life:Dudley was born in Bluefield, Virginia and...
, halfbackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... - 48—Joe PalumboJoe PalumboJoseph C. "Joe" Palumbo is a former American football guard. He played college football for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999....
, middle guard - 73—Jim DombrowskiJim DombrowskiJames Matthew Dombrowski was an American football guard and tackle in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints. Dombrowski attended Williamsville South High School and the University of Virginia where his Jersey number 73 was retired...
, offensive tackle - 97—Gene Edmonds, halfbackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Retired jerseys
"Jersey retirement honors Virginia players who have significantly impacted the program. Individuals recognized in this way will have their jerseys retired, but their number will remain active."- 3—Anthony PoindexterAnthony PoindexterAnthony Scott Poindexter is a former American football player for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns...
, defensive backDefensive backIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... - 19—Ronde BarberRonde BarberJamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
, cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... - 21—Tiki BarberTiki BarberAtiim Kiambu Hakeem-Ah "Tiki" Barber is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
, running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... - 34—Jim Bakhtiar, fullbackFullback (American football)A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
, linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, placekickerPlacekickerPlacekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... - 42—Terry KirbyTerry KirbyTerry Gayle Kirby , is a former professional American football player who played ten seasons in the NFL from 1993 to 2002. A 6'1" running back from the University of Virginia...
, running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... - 56—Ray Savage, linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
- 66—Mark DixonMark DixonMark Dixon is a former NFL offensive guard who played five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Previously he had played in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes. He was an All-American at Virginia. Prior to Virginia, Dixon attended Lucy C. Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, North Carolina where he was...
, offensive guardGuard (American football)In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.... - 85—Chris SladeChris Slade (American football)Christopher Carroll Slade was an American football linebacker who plays in the National Football League. He played most of his career with the New England Patriots. Slade was named to his 1st Pro Bowl after the 1997 season. He played college football at the University of Virginia.-Personal...
, defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... - 87—Herman MooreHerman MooreHerman Joseph Moore is a former American National Football League wide receiver. At George Washington High School in Danville he played mostly as a kicker and also as a tight end. He went to the University of Virginia, where he was a 2-sport athlete...
, wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... - 91—Chris LongChris Long (American football)Christopher Howard Long is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams second overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.Long is a son of Hall of Fame NFL defensive end Howie Long.-Early...
, defensive lineman - 98—Patrick KerneyPatrick Kerney-Atlanta Falcons:Kerney was drafted as the thirtieth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, wearing the number 97 jersey. The Falcons signed Kerney to a 5-year $5.6 million contract. As a rookie, Kerney started two games and recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks...
, defensive lineman
College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
rs
- Bill DudleyBill DudleyWilliam McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.-Early life:Dudley was born in Bluefield, Virginia and...
, halfbackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, inducted in 1956 - Earle "Greasy" Neale, head coachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
, inducted in 1967 - Tom ScottTom Scott (NFL player)Thomas Coster Scott is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Virginia, where he was an All-American as an offensive and defensive end. He was inducted into the...
, defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, inducted in 1979 - Frank MurrayFrank MurrayFrank J. Murray was an American football and basketball coach. He is one of the few head football coaches to have non-consecutive tenure at the same college or university. Murray was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.-Marquette:Murray was the 13th head football at the...
, head coach, inducted in 1983 - Joe PalumboJoe PalumboJoseph C. "Joe" Palumbo is a former American football guard. He played college football for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999....
, middle guard, inducted in 1999 - George Welsh, head coach, inducted in 2004
NFL Hall of FamersPro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
- Bill DudleyBill DudleyWilliam McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.-Early life:Dudley was born in Bluefield, Virginia and...
, halfbackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, inducted December 6, 1966 - Earle "Greasy" Neale, head coachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
, inducted September 13, 1969 - Henry JordanHenry JordanHenry Wendell Jordan was an American football defensive tackle who played for two teams, the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns, during his thirteen-year National Football League career. He played in the NFL from 1957 to 1969.Jordan attended Warwick High School in Newport News, Virginia...
, tackle, inducted July 29, 1995
Traditional rivalries
- Commonwealth CupCommonwealth CupThe Commonwealth Cup is an American college football rivalry game played between the Virginia Cavaliers football team of the University of Virginia and the Virginia Tech Hokies football team of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Typically, this series is played on a Saturday...
(Virginia vs. Virginia TechVirginia-Virginia Tech rivalryThe Virginia–Virginia Tech rivalry is an American college rivalry that exists between the Virginia Cavaliers sports teams of the University of Virginia and the Virginia Tech Hokies sports teams of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Both universities are members of the...
)—the Cup has been given since 1996 to the winner of this game played 90 times and each year since 1970. - South's Oldest RivalrySouth's Oldest RivalryThe South's Oldest Rivalry is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Virginia Cavaliers football team of the University of Virginia and the North Carolina Tar Heels football team of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...
(Virginia vs. North CarolinaNorth Carolina Tar Heels footballThe North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
)—the schools have played every year since 1919 totaling 114 games, by far the longest series in the ACC. - Virginia–Maryland rivalryMaryland–Virginia rivalryThe Maryland–Virginia rivalry, the Virginia–Maryland rivalry, or the Beltway Brawl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Maryland Terrapins football team of the University of Maryland and the Virginia Cavaliers football team of the University of Virginia...
—official ACC "permanent rivals". Many athletes and students on both sides come from the Washington Metropolitan AreaWashington Metropolitan AreaThe Washington Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area centered on Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The area includes all of the federal district and parts of the U.S...
.
Non-annual rivalry games
- Jefferson-Eppes TrophyJefferson-Eppes TrophyCreated in 1995, the Jefferson–Eppes Trophy is awarded to the winner of the college football game between the Seminoles of Florida State University and Cavaliers of the University of Virginia. It is named for former United States President and founder of the University of Virginia, Thomas...
(Virginia vs. Florida State)—a friendly rivalry to promote ties between the two universities, this trophy was created in 1996. - Virginia–West Virginia rivalry—Rarely played anymore, the last contest was a 48–22 Cavalier victory in the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl2002 Continental Tire BowlThe 2002 Continental Tire Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 22, 2002...
. - Virginia–Clemson rivalry—Virginia took 30 attempts to beat ACC foe Clemson, which sparked a rivalry.
Current NFL players
- Branden AlbertBranden AlbertBranden B. Albert III is an American football offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs 15th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.-Early years:Albert grew up in a single-parent home in Rochester, New...
—offensive guard, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Ronde BarberRonde BarberJamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
—cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... - Will BarkerWill Barker (American football)William Sherrerd "Will" Barker is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
—offensive tackle, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... - Ahmad BrooksAhmad BrooksAhmad Brooks is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2006 NFL Supplemental Draft. He played college football at Virginia.He is the son of late NFL defensive tackle Perry...
—linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... - Chris CantyChris Canty (defensive end)Christopher Lee Canty is an American football defensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
—defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Nate CollinsNate CollinsNathaniel Allen Collins is an American football defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
—defensive tackle, Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Chris CookChris Cook (American football)Christopher O'Shea Cook is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted in the second round, 34th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
—cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... - Ras-I DowlingRas-I DowlingRas-I Luis Dowling is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He played college football at Virginia.-Early years:...
—cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... - Isaiah EkejiubaIsaiah EkejiubaIsaiah Afamefuna Ekejiuba [Eck-ah-ju-buh] is a Nigerian-American linebacker of American football for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
—linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... - James FarriorJames FarriorJames Alfred Farrior is an American football player who currently plays as an inside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Virginia, and played with the New York Jets from 1997 to 2001.-Early years:Farrior was born...
—linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - D'Brickashaw FergusonD'Brickashaw Ferguson-New York Jets:Ferguson finally reached the NFL when the New York Jets drafted him with the 4th pick overall after Vince Young was chosen by the Titans. On July 26, 2006, Ferguson signed a five-year deal with the Jets that was similar to the $35 million deal that 2005’s No. 4 pick, Cedric Benson,...
—tackle, New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Alex FieldAlex FieldAlexander Marshall "Alex" Field is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
—defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Rashawn JacksonRashawn JacksonRashawn Jackson is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Virginia.-Carolina Panthers:...
—running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... - Thomas Jones—running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Chris LongChris Long (American football)Christopher Howard Long is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams second overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.Long is a son of Hall of Fame NFL defensive end Howie Long.-Early...
—defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... - Heath MillerHeath MillerEarl Heath Miller, Jr. is an American football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He was selected as the 30th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Virginia.-Early years:...
—tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Eugene MonroeEugene Monroe-Jacksonville Jaguars:In an effort to rebuild their offensive line, the Jaguars selected Monroe and Eben Britton with their first two picks. Monroe was expected to compete with veteran free-agent acquisition Tra Thomas for the start at left tackle...
—tackle, Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Kevin OgletreeKevin OgletreeKevin Ogletree is an American football player currently with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a 2-time honorable mention All-ACC wide receiver for the Virginia Cavaliers. He declared for the 2009 NFL Draft as a junior following the 2008 season, but was not drafted...
—wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Cedric PeermanCedric PeermanCedric Edwin Peerman is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
—running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - John PhillipsJohn Phillips (American football)John Phillips is an American football tight end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League...
—tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Tom SantiTom SantiTom Santi is an American football tight end who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft and was placed on waived/injury list on August 2, 2010. He excelled as a tight end at Montgomery Bell...
—tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... - Matt SchaubMatt SchaubMatthew Rutledge Schaub is the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.-College career:...
—quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Clint SintimClint Sintim-New York Giants:Sintim was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New York Giants on April 25, 2009. On July 30, the Giants announced that they had signed Sintim to the roster. Eventually, he is expected to replace the Danny Clark/Bryan Kehl linebacker position. Sintim made his...
—linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jason SnellingJason SnellingJason Michael Snelling is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
—running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - John St. ClairJohn St. ClairJohn Bradley St. Clair is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.St...
—tackle, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jonathan StuparJonathan StuparJonathan Stupar is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
—tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Famous former players
- Tiki BarberTiki BarberAtiim Kiambu Hakeem-Ah "Tiki" Barber is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
—retired NFL running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Aaron Brooks——retired NFL quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
and Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Tyrone DavisTyrone Davis (football player)Tyrone Davis is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers . In college, he played wide receiver for the University of Virginia and set a school record for touchdown receptions with 28...
—retired NFL wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
/tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Jim GrobeJim GrobeJim Grobe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1995 to 2000, Grobe served as the head coach at Ohio University...
—head coachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
, Wake ForestWake Forest UniversityWake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
Demon Deacons football - Patrick KerneyPatrick Kerney-Atlanta Falcons:Kerney was drafted as the thirtieth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, wearing the number 97 jersey. The Falcons signed Kerney to a 5-year $5.6 million contract. As a rookie, Kerney started two games and recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks...
—retired NFL defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... - Don MajkowskiDon MajkowskiDonald Francis Vincent Majkowski, "Majik", is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions.-College career:...
—retired NFL quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... - Herman MooreHerman MooreHerman Joseph Moore is a former American National Football League wide receiver. At George Washington High School in Danville he played mostly as a kicker and also as a tight end. He went to the University of Virginia, where he was a 2-sport athlete...
—retired NFL wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Wali RainerWali RainerWali Rainer is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
—retired NFL linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... - Terrence WilkinsTerrence WilkinsTerrence Olondo Wilkins is a former wide receiver and punt returner for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League. He signed with the Colts on November 10, 2003. He also played with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League. He has 1,466 career receiving yards in the...
—retired NFL and CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... - Derek Dooley—head coachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
, University of TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeThe University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
VolunteersTennessee VolunteersThe Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association college sports teams at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike Hamilton is the most recent Men's Athletic Director, but resigned on June 7, 2011, and Joan Cronan is the current Women's...
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