Virginia hired Tony Elliott to be the Cavaliers’ new head football coach on Friday.
Athletic director Carla Williams announced the hiring of the former Clemson offensive coordinator.
“This is an awesome opportunity for the University of Virginia as we welcome Coach Tony Elliott into the UVA football family,” Williams said in a news release. “Coach Elliott is a winner, in every sense of the word. He is known for his character, humility, work ethic, skill set and passion for education.
“Coach Elliott is an exceptional leader of young men and he is highly regarded across college football as a talented teacher and coach. He is an outstanding recruiter who has been responsible for recruiting, signing and developing scholar-athletes while competing for and winning championships.”
Elliott, 42, replaces Bronco Mendenhall, who resigned suddenly on Dec. 2 after six years leading the Cavaliers.
Elliott, who met earlier this week with Duke officials about the Blue Devils’ coaching vacancy, has been on the staff at his alma mater Clemson since 2011. He became head coach Dabo Swinney’s co-offensive coordinator in 2015 and had been the Tigers’ OC since 2020. Clemson added associate head coach to his title in 2021.
Elliott received the Broyles Award in 2017 as the nation’s top assistant coach and helped Clemson win a couple of national championships (2016, 2018) and six Atlantic Coast Conference championships. The Tigers were 89-10 with Elliott calling the plays.
Before joining the Tigers, Elliott spent five seasons coaching the wide receivers at South Carolina State (2006-07) and Furman (2008-10).
Mendenhall will step down following the Cavaliers’ appearance on Dec. 29 at the Fenway Bowl, where they will meet SMU.
Virginia went 6-6 this season (4-4 ACC) and 36-38 under his direction.
–Field Level Media