A member of Virginia’s staff since head coach Mike London’s tenure commenced in 2010, Bill Lazor, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, is bolting Charlottesville to join the Philadelphia Eagles and new coach Chip Kelly’s staff. Lazor will serve as Philadelphia’s quarterbacks coach.
“I appreciate Bill Lazor’s time here as a member of my staff,” London said in a statement. “We are now wrapping up our recruiting and starting our preparation for the 2013 season. We will move quickly to find a new offensive coordinator to keep the program moving forward.”
The coaching change marks another twist in an already zany offseason for the Cavalier football program. Junior quarterback Michael Rocco started the commotion, asking for a release from the Virginia football program shortly after the season ended. Then, after purging four coaches from the staff that same day, including defensive coordinator Jim Reid, London hired four replacements a month later — among them Tom O’Brien, the offensively oriented former NC State head coach. Speculation quickly arose concerning how O’Brien, officially deemed the associate head coach for offense, would mesh with Lazor.
Arriving in Virginia after serving as the Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback coach from 2008-2009, Lazor quickly and effectively implemented his pro-style offensive schemes. Virginia finished third in the ACC in total offense his first season and fourth in 2011, when the Cavaliers finished 8-5 and reached the Chick-fil-A Bowl. His unit floundered this past season, however, dropping to eighth in the conference in total offense and tallying a ghastly 26 turnovers. To the chagrin of many Virginia fans, a quarterback controversy surrounding Rocco and sophomore quarterback Phillip Sims swirled around the offense for most of 2012.
The report of Lazor’s departure to join Kelly ironically comes one day after Virginia announced a home-and-home series with Oregon — the program Kelly led to a 46-7 record and four BCS bowl appearances in his four years as head coach.
In addition to the Seahawks, Pennsylvania native Lazor gained NFL coaching experience with the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons before joining London’s staff three years ago.
“We have always been aware Bill Lazor might pursue a great opportunity in the National Football League,” said Jon Oliver, Virginia executive associate athletics director. “The job he is taking with an NFL team is simply that.”
Lazor has not yet responded to The Cavalier Daily’s request for comment.
“We have always been aware Bill Lazor might pursue a great opportunity in the National Football League,” Virginia Executive Associate Athletics Director Jon Oliver said. “The job he is taking with an NFL team is simply that.”
Lazor has not yet responded to The Cavalier Daily’s request for comment.
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