Connected to the Penn State job last month, Mike London has parlayed that off-field speculation as well as on-field success in 2011 into a new contract, Virginia announced Friday.
In a press release, the school confirmed reports from earlier in the day that London has agreed to a two-year contract extension. London is now signed through the 2016 season.
Part of that new contract will include a longevity bonus that London can earn effective Jan. 15, 2015 as well as his personal $225,000 pledge toward the construction of the football program’s new indoor practice facility announced earlier this month.
“Mike London and his staff are a great fit for the University of Virginia,” said Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage said in a statement. “Commitment and continuity on the staff are major components of building a program. We want to keep the program’s momentum moving and this extension will help achieve that.”
In addition to the extension, London’s salary will increase from $1.79 million annually to $2.1 million. Additionally, London’s revamped deal will include additional compensation for the assistants on his coaching staff.
“I’m very grateful, humbled and appreciative of this gesture by the University,” London said. “I am truly blessed to be working at one of the nation’s finest universities with an administration that is supportive of the type of football program we all want to have that reflects the University’s values and mission.
“More than anything, this says that everyone involved with the Virginia football program has done an outstanding job. From the assistant coaches, the support staff and most importantly our student-athletes. They all believed from day one that we can accomplish great things here and I think this is just the start of a very bright future for Virginia football. I am very thankful to President (Teresa) Sullivan and athletic director Craig Littlepage for this extension.”
In two years at UVa., London has compiled a 12-12 record, including an 8-4 mark this season. Earlier this month, he was named the ACC’s Coach of the Year.
The Cavaliers will face Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl Dec. 31, the program’s first postseason game since 2007.