Ten former UVA coaches have found a special way to show solidarity during their respective games

First-year Virginia head coach Tony Elliott is going through the unimaginable right now, helping his program grieve as they continue to process some difficult emotions following the senseless shooting death of three players by a former walk-on for the Cavaliers.

The outpouring of support for the Virginia campus community has been touching, and eight former coaches for the program under Bronco Mendenhall, who went their separate ways after the coaching change last off season, have come together with a special way to show where their hearts are during their games this week, as UVA's game against Coastal Carolina were cancelled in light of the tragedy.

Starting with last night's SMU vs. Tulane game, eight coaches will wear UVA coaching gear with their new programs as their way to support their former players going through a very difficult time.

"Your former coaches, that were at UVA with you, we came together and we came up with this idea. All your coaches will be wearing the V-sabers...dressed up as if we were coaching you., back in Charlottesville to honor Devin, Lavel and D’Sean....and to let you know, and everyone back in Charlottesville, that distance, or institutional change will never sever the relationship that we have built."

Washington State running backs coach Mark Atuaia shared that message as he announced the collaboration recently, sharing that Robert Anae (Syrcause), Jason Beck (Syracuse), Nick Howell (Vanderbilt), Shane Hunter (Utah Tech), Kelly Poppinga (Boise State), Ricky Brumfield (FIU), Vic So'oto (Cal-Berkeley), Atuaia (Washington State), and Dwayne Chandler (SMU) and Shawn Griswold (SMU) would all participate in the idea.

This may seem like a small thing, but it sends such a meaningful message to those affected in Charlottesville.

Credit these coaches, and their institutions for finding, and supporting, this creative idea that will mean a lot to those grieving.