Football coach Mike London discussed his plans for the Cavalier offense in an interview with The Cavalier Daily last week, just as Bill Lazor - who London tapped as offensive coordinator Jan. 28 - takes the reins.
Though London did not name the starting quarterback or describe the what the team's first play from scrimmage will be come this fall, he did outline his plan to return the Cavaliers to the sort of prominence that has often eluded the team in recent years.
At quarterback, London said, Virginia needs someone who can "handle the play action pass and manage the game." Concurrently, wideouts need to "rely on some toughness and athleticism on the edge," while backs, he said, "have to be able to run the ball... with authority."
This ability to pass and run the ball, London said, will prove pivotal for the Cavaliers when the game is on the line.
"You have to be able to keep the clock moving at the end of the game by running the ball," he said, "but you also have to be able to protect the quarterback and say, 'You know what - we got one of the best wide receivers. Let's block it up and throw it deep.'"
At the head of London's new system will be Lazor, who joins the Cavaliers after two seasons as quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks.
"Bill brings a wealth of football knowledge and influence working for three NFL Hall of Fame head coaches," London said in a University press release. "Like all the other coaches on staff, he is of high character and integrity."
Lazor attended Cornell University, where he broke 26 passing and total offensive program records as quarterback. He joined Cornell's coaching staff upon graduating in 1994 and eventually became quarterbacks coach for the team during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. Lazor then moved to the University of Buffalo - a school that had just rejoined the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1999 - and achieved only four wins from 2001-03, as the young team struggled to find traction.
Nevertheless, Lazor made the jump to the NFL in 2003, landing a job as the quality control coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
One year later, he joined the Washington Redskins as an offensive assistant and eventually became quarterbacks coach in 2006 with coach Joe Gibbs.
With Mark Brunell and Jason Campbell splitting time under center, the Redskins finished 21st in the NFL in passing offense in 2006 but improved to 14th in the league the following year, as Campbell and Todd Collins led the team to the playoffs.
After Gibbs retired for the second time, Lazor moved west to Seattle to once again take the position of quarterbacks coach, a post that was vacated by Jim Zorn, who incidentally replaced Gibbs in Washington.
During Lazor's first year, the Seahawks ranked 29th in the league in passing offense and 27th in quarterback rating, while Seneca Wallace filled in for an injured Matt Hasselbeck. With Lazor's guidance, the Pro Bowler returned for an improved 2009 campaign, as the Seahawks rose to 15th in the league in passing offense.
He now returns to college coaching as one of the last pieces of London's coaching staff to fall into place.
Lazor cited London's strong reputation among coaches with whom London used to work as a major reason as to why he chose to make the move to Virginia.
"In my mind I have an unbelievable view of what Virginia football is, what it's going to be and should be," Lazor said in a Jan. 28 University press release announcing his hire. "I think Virginia is a place that is going to win, a place full of great people"
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