Jilted: London's decision to leave UR

When the story first broke that former University of Richmond football coach Mike London would be leaving his alma mater for the University of Virginia, I couldn't help but feel disappointed that a man we proudly claimed as our own would jump ship so quickly. This disappointment, however, was not merely a feeling of betrayal or anger at another FBS/BCS school poaching talent from our proud university. Rather, there was a hint of fatalism surrounding the entire affair, a knowledge that as much as I love this university and as much as men like London have professed to love it as well, Richmond is still seen as a mere stepping stone for those with aspirations for greater fame and fortune.

First, Leland Melvin leaves us for outer space. Now, London leaves us for Charlottesville. Next thing you know, President Edward Ayers will follow suit and claim the presidency at Mr. Jefferson's school -- actually, forget I mentioned that. Some things strike a little too close to home. Back to our football program ...

I was hardly surprised when former coach Dave Clawson left Richmond two years ago for an offensive coordinator job at the University of Tennessee, which he has since left for a head coaching position at Bowling Green. After all, we snagged Clawson from Fordham University under similar circumstances.

We've played the poaching game before, but things were supposed to be different with London, a man who was returning home to coach. Apparently, a contract extension, a national championship and a new on-campus stadium just don't compare to a school with a proud tradition that includes losing to the College of William & Mary and having your mascot fall off a horse in pre-game festivities.

So where do we go from here? I'd like to draw an analogy to another school from the city of Richmond. A few years ago, men's basketball coach Jeff Capel left Virginia Commonwealth University for the University of Oklahoma. It was a decision that made sense for Capel; he got the opportunity to coach Blake Griffin, the national player of the year, and take a team to last year's Elite Eight. VCU, however, allowed Capel to sign with Oklahoma under the condition that he bring his Sooners back to Richmond for a game a few years later. VCU won that game earlier this season, 82-69.

Coach London, I recognize the reasons you would choose to leave the Richmond Spiders, despite our success and the university's recent commitment to the program. The University of Virginia is a member of the ACC with the opportunity to play in bowl games and challenge Virginia Tech for state supremacy each year. But I'd like to ask one favor of my former coach. Bring your new team to Richmond. See Robins Stadium for yourself. Maybe then you'll see that you made the wrong decision, that Richmond isn't a stepping stone to greener pastures, but a destination in itself.

Oh, and Coach Mooney? Don't forget the loyalty our athletic department has shown you the last few years. We've got a great basketball team right now, and I'm excited to watch them play for A-10 and NCAA glory. Just remember that Richmond has stood by you when some other school eventually comes calling.

I've heard UVA has a lousy basketball team too.