Virginia hires Clemson OC Tony Elliott as next head coach

The Virginia Cavaliers football team has hired Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott to be their next head coach.

Elliott — who was a wide receiver for the Tigers in the early 2000s — joined the program as the running backs coach in 2011.

"In late 2014, head coach Dabo Swinney promoted Elliott to co-offensive coordinator when he became the primary play-caller," The Athletic reported. "Clemson's offense has had many issues in 2021, but this season is the first one with Elliott calling the plays that the Tigers missed out on the College Football Playoff."

Clemson went 89-10 during Elliott's tenure as offensive coordinator, and according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, the team either led or was second in the ACC in total offense in five of the last seven seasons.

The Tigers went 9-3 during the 2021 regular season under 13th-year head coach Dabo Sweeney. They will take on Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 29.