For the second time in a little over a month, Mike London‘s boss has vehemently and publicly supported the embattled head coach.
Whether that’s good news or the dreaded vote of confidence remains to be seen.
Acknowledging what he calls a “very vocal” group of detractors looking for a change, UVa. athletic director Craig Littlepage nonetheless reiterated to the Roanoke Daily Press that London has his full and unequivocal backing. Littlepage gave no indication that he’s even thought about removing London let alone seriously considered doing what a significant segment of the fan base would like.
“We’re trying to fix football, and that’s it,” Littlepage told the Daily Press. “This is important. I’m not focused on anything other than making sure that I’m doing everything that I can to get us back on that path to having a great program.”
The AD added he “firmly believe[s] that Mike London is going to be successful here at the University of Virginia.”
This season has continued an alarming downturn for the football program under London and diminished the number of supporters who held the same belief as Littlepage.
In his second season in 2011, London led the Cavaliers to an 8-5 record that had his name spinning around the coaching carousel in connection to at least a couple of high-profile openings. The Cavs then went 4-8 for the second time in his three years before bottoming out in 2013 at 2-9. If UVa. fails to beat in-state rival Virginia Tech this weekend, the Cavs will go winless in conference play for the first time since 1981.