The coaching staff at the University of Maryland has undergone a face lift. New head coach D.J. Durkin is putting together a powerful group of coaches immediately after taking over the program. At 37 years old, Durkin is a very young head coach.One of his best additions was hiring Mike London to be his assistant head coach.
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London brings over 35 years of coaching experience to Durkin’s staff. He will be a key piece in the resurgence of Maryland’s program. The first thing that jumps out about coach London is his connection to a hotbed of talent in Virginia known as “the 757.” He is one of the best recruiters in the state of Virginia.
As a native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, London brings a direct link an area known for producing stars such as Russell Wilson, Michael Vick and Ronald Curry. The mere presence of London on the coaching staff increases the program’s capability to land recruits from Virginia.
London has a history in the state of Virginia that dates back to 1979 when he played defensive back for the University of Richmond. He was able to parlay a productive career at Richmond into a short pro career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Coach Durkin would like to get off to a fast start at Maryland which is nothing new to London. London led Richmond to a National Championship in 2008, his first year in charge of the program. The championship was the first National Championship in any sport for Richmond. Richmond also became only the third FCS team to ever receive a vote for the AP top 25 during London’s second year with the program in 2009.
The University of Virginia hired London to be their head coach soon after the 2009 ended. London’s strength in recruiting surfaced after one season at Virginia. His recruiting class in 2011 was looked upon as the best they’ve had since 2002. It took London one season to turn the record around and become a serious competitor in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The signature win of the season for London was a victory at Florida State, a place that Virginia had never won prior to the 2011 season. London was named ACC Coach of the Year in only his second season with the team. The coach could not maintain the high level of play from his players in the next few seasons, leading to his resignation in November of 2015.
What became one program’s trash has become another program’s treasure. London has become a very good developer of defensive talent. He has coached two pass rushers selected in the top three rounds of the NFL Draft during his time at Virginia.
The most successful defensive talent that he has coached is Chris Long, a defensive end for the St. Louis Rams. Long played defensive end at Virginia and was the second overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. Long had worked with London in 2006 and 2007.
The most recent high draft pick that London had a major role in developing is outside linebacker Eli Harold. The San Francisco 49ers selected Harold with their third round selection (79th overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft.
London has also been a major influence in developing a Super Bowl winning offensive player despite most of his experience being on the defensive side of the football, His son, Brandon London was a standout wide receiver at the University of Massachusetts and went on to play professional football in both the NFL and Canadian Football League. Brandon London was a part of the New York Giants Super Bowl winning team in 2007.
The combination of London and defensive backs coach Aazar Abdul-Rahim will surely strengthen the upcoming recruiting classes. The future is bright for Terps football.
Mike London – Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach
Playing Career: Defensive Back (Richmond; Dallas Cowboys)
Previous Position: Head Coach – Virginia (2010-2015)
Head Coaching Record: 51-50
Resume: Head Coach – Virginia (2010-2015)
Head Coach – Richmond (2008-2009)
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach – Virginia (2006-2007)
Defensive Line Coach – Houston Texans (2005)
Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach – Virginia (2002-2004)
Defensive Line Coach – Virginia (2001)
Defensive Line Coach – Boston College (1997-2000)
Recruiting Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach – Richmond (1995-1996)
Defensive Line Coach – William & Mary (1991-1994)
Outside Linebackers Coach – Richmond (1989-1990)
