Coach. Mentor. Father figure.
These are just a few of the words some of the Virginia football players used to describe coach Mike London following the announcement of his resignation Sunday.
Following a six-year tenure at Virginia, London finished with a record of 27-46. It is the number that everyone has focused on this season, and the one that can ultimately be blamed for his departure from the Cavalier program.
One number that has not been mentioned is the well over 100 student athletes that London has directly affected over his six years with the program. These players expressed nothing but their gratitude on social media Sunday, thankful for a man who not only allowed them to opportunity to play football at a college level, but one who also helped shaped them into men.
“I appreciate [coach London] and all he has done for me and my development becoming a man much love and respect,” junior running back Taquan Mizzell said on Sunday via Twitter.
“Will always be thankful for the opportunity Coach London gave all of us to attend this university and wear the orange and blue,” sophomore offensive tackle Jack English said in a tweet Sunday following the announcement.
The overwhelming reason why coach London is so beloved, so valued and will be so sorely missed by his student athletes is the care and compassion he showed for each and every one of them.
“I'm a caretaker, and I'm a servant, because I serve the student athletes in which I'm in charge of,” said London in 2009 shortly after he was hired by U.Va. London has lived up to this characterization, creating a reputation for himself not only as a head coach, but also as a mentor to roughly 100 guys every season.
“He embodies the terms passion, love, character, integrity, perseverance, honesty, and any other adjective you want in a coach/mentor/father,” said senior wide receiver T.J. Thorpe in an emotional Instagram post this past weekend.
Mike London has always been known as an incredible recruiter, seeing seven players drafted in his first five seasons, with many additional men signing with teams later on. However, a large portion of his team will never step foot on a professional field.
They find significant benefits from the programs regardless of if it leads them to the NFL or not, as London is someone who has strived for success for his players both on and off the field. His players say it has been worth it to learn lessons that will last them a lifetime on and off the field.
“Thanks for the life lessons and opportunities granted to help me excel,” said program alumni Anthony Harris, who is currently on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad.
“Extremely thankful for Coach London, the opportunity to play in college and the life lessons he has instilled!” said freshman linebacker C.J. Stalker.
As important as winning has to be to both London and his players, it is not the only thing, and maybe even not the most important goal.
“The last year regardless of expectations, stats or Ws has been the best of my life and I owe it to Coach London” said Thorpe. “Not only did he give me a second chance with football but with happiness in my life.”
“It has always been so much bigger than football,” said junior quarterback Matt Johns in the caption of his Instagram post featuring London hugging him on the sideline.
If that is indeed the case, then Mike London ultimately had a winning record at Virginia – in the hearts of his players.
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