Virginia Hires Clemson OC Tony Elliott As Next Head Coach

The Virginia Cavaliers have found their newest head coach in Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott.

Elliott, 42, was also rumored as a strong candidate to succeed David Cutcliffe for the Duke head coaching vacancy after reports emerged that former Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was in the running.

Elliott's candidacy for several coaching roles, ranging from the Vols' head coaching job to rumors of becoming the Seattle Seahawks' OC, has been built on a strong tenure at Clemson since 2011. Since his inclusion in the coaching staff, Clemson has gone 121-18. He earned the 2017 Broyles Award for top coaching assistant in the nation.

The coordinator has been a staple of the Clemson offense and led several of Dabo Swinney's signature Death Valley offenses. Elliott's talks with the UVA brass first began on Wednesday and the coach contemplated on his ultimate decision until Friday morning when the news was first announced by Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel.

With the hire, the Cavs are expected to start filling in the coaching staff, beginning with senior defensive assistant Wes Goodwin's rumored promotion to defensive coordinator.

As relayed by OutKick's Nick Geddes, Bronco Mendenhall stepped down as the Cavalier's head coaching gig on Dec. 2 after six seasons of ACC football.

“It has been a privilege to have Bronco Mendenhall direct the Virginia football team over the past six seasons,” said Virginia AD Carla Williams. “He has done an exceptional job of not just transforming the program, but elevating the expectations for the program. He has established the necessary foundation to propel our football team upward. 

“He is more than a football coach and the impact he has had on these young men will be a positive influence for the rest of their lives.”

Clemson now finds itself developing a new regime from the ground up with the departure of Elliott as offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who was hired for the Oklahoma Sooners' head coaching vacancy last Sunday.

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