Bronco Mendenhall
FILE - Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall directs his players during the second half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against Clemson in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. One year after dynamic quarterback Bryce Perkins led Virginia to its first Coastal Division title in the Atlantic Coast Conference and a trip to the Orange Bowl, the Cavaliers will put Bronco Mendenhall’s new standard to a big test this season.(AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
Virginia looks to fill voids, repeat as Coastal champ

By Hank Kurz Jr. Sep. 01, 2020 04:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2019, file photo, Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall watches the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami in Miami Gardens, Fla. College football coaches are facing the daunting challenge of getting their players to maintain the required focus to prepare for season-openers when the prevailing question swirling around the sport is when, or if, the season will even be played because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
College football coaches facing tough adversary: uncertainty

By Hank Kurz Jr. Aug. 10, 2020 05:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, May 6, 2018 file photo, the English Premier League trophy is displayed on the pitch prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England. Steve Parish, the chairman of Crystal Palace, says the Premier League could face years of legal challenges if this season is not completed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)
The Latest: UVA president predicts no normal football season

By The Associated Press May. 10, 2020 11:59 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Southern California head coach Clay Helton, left, shakes hands with athletic director Mike Bohn at an NCAA college football game against UCLA in Los Angeles. Helton is 40-22 in four full seasons as USC coach. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
USC invests in supporting Helton rather than replacing him

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 09, 2020 03:05 PM EDT

Hammond School defensive end Jordan Burch sits in the stands to watch South Carolina play Missouri at Colonial Life Arena, in Columbia, S.C., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. (Joshua Boucher/The State via AP)
Top heavy: Handful of elite programs hoard most top recruits

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 05, 2020 04:18 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 file photo, Miami head coach Manny Diaz calls out a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami coach Manny Diaz told The Associated Press on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020 that he believes the Hurricanes are already better than they were when last season's 6-7 debacle ended. Diaz says the Hurricanes have improved their roster and their coaching staff, both by additions and subtractions. He also drew a parallel to the culture that the Miami Heat have stuck with in their bounceback season this year. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Diaz, Miami land top safety as rebuilding effort continues

By The Associated Press Feb. 05, 2020 03:52 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) breaks away from the pack to throw the ball during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Florida, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Perkins' brilliant Virginia run ends with Orange Bowl loss

By Tim Reynolds Dec. 31, 2019 12:37 AM EST

Florida head coach Dan Mullen, left, stands with running back Lamical Perine (2) after the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Virginia, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Florida won 36-28. Perine was the MVP. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Perine leads No. 6 Gators past Virginia 36-28 in Orange Bowl

By Steven Wine Dec. 30, 2019 11:54 PM EST

Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall, left, and Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen, right, pose for a photograph during a news conference for the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Florida plays Virginia in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. (AP Photo/Mario Houben)
Cavs try to take 'next step' in Orange Bowl against Gators

By Steven Wine Dec. 29, 2019 02:12 PM EST

Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall, left, and Florida head coach Dan Mullen, right, listen during a news conference for the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in Hollywood, Fla. Florida plays Virginia in the Orange Bowl Dec. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Florida-Virginia bowl matchup: 'a lot of orange and blue'

By Steven Wine Dec. 11, 2019 06:40 PM EST

Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall, left, disputes a call during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Virginia defeated Virginia Tech 39-30. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Orange Bowl to pit Florida against Virginia

By The Associated Press Dec. 08, 2019 04:55 PM EST

Florida head coach Dan Mullen, right, celebrates with his wife, Megan, left, and daughter Breelyn in front of fans after defeating Vanderbilt in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Unfamiliar rivals Florida, Virginia headed to Orange Bowl

By Tim Reynolds Dec. 08, 2019 04:25 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs between Virginia safety Joey Blount (29) and Virginia safety Chris Moore (7) during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
No. 3 Clemson tops No. 22 Virginia 62-17 for ACC title

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 07, 2019 11:09 PM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney greets Trevor Lawrence (16) after a touchdown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
No. 3 Clemson, No. 22 Virginia square off for ACC title

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 06, 2019 01:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock scrambles during the second half of the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons in Canton, Ohio. The Broncos are bringing rookie quarterback Lock back to practice Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, to see if he is going to be able to play this season. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Clemson's Swinney, Cavs' Mendenhall on similar ACC paths

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 05, 2019 02:59 PM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney high-fives fans after an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. Clemson won 38-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Stout defenses could play role in outcome of ACC title game

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 04, 2019 02:17 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) celebrates the a touchdown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Clemson, Virginia ACC title game features bevy of playmakers

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 03, 2019 02:29 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) breaks the tackle of Virginia Tech defensive back Jermaine Waller (28) for a touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Virginia views matchup vs No. 3 Clemson as ‘opportunity’

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 02, 2019 04:52 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) celebrates with fans after their 39-30 win over Virginia Tech in an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Charlottesville Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
No. 3 Clemson, No. 22 Virginia after next step in ACC game

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 01, 2019 06:13 PM EST

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) is hit by Virginia linebacker Noah Taylor (14) as he throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Virginia Tech and Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Perkins, late FG lift Virginia past No. 23 Hokies, 39-30

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 29, 2019 03:59 PM EST