You can always count on at least one big surprise opening in the annual coaching change cycle. This year, that was Bronco Mendenhall announcing plans to step away at Virginia.
After vetting some quality candidates, UVA ultimately ended up landing on Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott to lead the program.
Here, on the Virginia Staff Tracker page, we lay out the new staff and also provide some perspective by noting who coached the position on the previous staff.
2022 HEAD COACH: TONY ELLIOTT
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
DES KITCHINGS
Atlanta Falcons RBs
QUARTERBACKS
TAYLOR LAMB
Gardner-Webb (FCS - NC) QBs
RUNNING BACKS
KEITH GAITER
Army WRs
RECEIVERS
MARQUES HAGANS
Retained - Virginia WRs
OFFENSIVE LINE
GARRETT TUJAGUE
Retained - Virginia OL
2021 OFFENSIVE STAFF:
Robert Anae (OC / Inside Receivers)
Mark Atuaia (RBs)
Jason Beck (QBs)
Marques Hagans (WRs)
Garret Tujague (OL)
Graduate Assistants: Famike Anae, Jackson Matteo, Drew Meyer
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / DEFENSIVE BACKS
JOHN RUDZINSKI
Air Force DC
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
KEVIN DOWNING
Navy DEs / OLBs
DEFENSIVE ENDS
CHRIS SLADE
Pace Academy HS (Atlanta, GA) HC
LINEBACKERS
CLINT SINTIM
Virginia DL
DEFENSIVE BACKS / DEFENSIVE PASS GAME COORDINATOR
CUROME COX
Air Force DBs
2021 DEFENSIVE STAFF:
Nick Howell (DC / Secondary).
Kelly Poppinga (Co-DC / OLBs)
Shane Hunter (Safeties)
Clint Sintim (DL)
Graduate Assistants: Charles Mack, Chris Peace, Joe Spaziani, Donte Wilkins
Analyst: CJ Stalker
SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR
To Be Assigned - 10 on-field coaches in place
2021 SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR / CBs:
Ricky Brumfield
Analyst: Drew Meyer
SUPPORT STAFF
Strength and Conditioning: Adam Smotherman (Clemson assistant S&C)
2021 SUPPORT STAFF:
Director of Football Development and Performance: Shawn Griswold
Director of Football Analytics: Matt Edwards