Latrell Scott named head football coach

Eight days after former head football coach Mike London took the same position at the University of Virginia, University of Richmond wide receiver Kevin Grayson announced London's replacement.

That's because Richmond athletic director Jim Miller decided Grayson would be the right person to introduce new head football coach Latrell Scott, who served as the wide receivers coach for the Spiders during Grayson's first two seasons.

"On behalf of the football team, we are really excited about this selection," Grayson said.

Scott, a 34-year-old Richmond native who most recently coached the wide receivers at the University of Virginia and the University of Tennessee, has been named the 34th head coach in program history.

"This is a very exciting day for me and my family," Scott said. "Being around the people at this institution is a dream."

About 100 students, community members and players attended the press conference in the Robins Center. Former Richmond football and baseball star Brian Jordan also attended.

Miller said he had looked for a few specific qualities during the short search for a new head football coach. He wanted someone who was a good person, had connections to the University community, could maximize the talent of the players and continue to recruit successfully, he said. Scott had all of these skills.

Though Scott has never been a head coach or a coordinator, he said his experience working with some of the best coaches in football had prepared him for this opportunity.

"I've been raised by some of the best football coaches in the country," Scott said. "I think I've been prepared by some of the best."

Scott has coached under former Richmond head coach Dave Clawson, former University of Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer and former University of Virginia head coach Al Groh.

Scott also has a relationship with many Spider players from his time as an assistant coach at Richmond from 2005-07.

"I'm a player's coach," Scott said before continuing to address the players in attendance, "You guys are the most important people on this campus to me."

Scott said he had kept in touch with some of his former players, including Grayson and fellow wide receivers Tre Gray and Donte Boston, who Scott helped recruit.

Scott is only 34, but Miller said his relatively young age had not been a major concern.

"In today's world I think we're on the cutting edge, the front side of this," Miller said. "We've hired a lot of younger coaches [for other programs at Richmond]."

Grayson, Scott and Miller all mentioned the many similarities between London and his replacement, and Grayson said he felt the transition to a new coach would be a smooth one.

"He's not new to the program," Grayson said. "He's been here before. A lot of people will know who he is. They'll know his face, just like Mike London. ... A lot of people say he's not experienced but I feel like this is the right time for him to step up."

Contact staff writer Reilly Moore at reilly.moore@richmond.edu