ARENA RETURNS ... SO WILL ELLIOTT ... MAYBE

 

Before we get to Virginia (university of) football … a 

word about former U.Va., futbol’s (as in soccer) BRUCE 

ARENA… The World’s Greatest Soccer Coach, 

suspended then 

almost as quickly reinstated by MLS a year ago, is back 

… hired by the 6-25-3 San Jose Earthquakes. The official 

announcement came Thursday … after Arena, 73, told 

someone at ESPN earlier in the week … While he was at 

it, this country’s most successful (as well as controversial) 

coach of the game that is No. 1 in the world, attempted to 

provide some clarity about what happened with the MLS 

New England Revolution that led to his suspension and 

(eventually) resignation … To paraphrase, it had 

something to do with remarks made “while the staff was 

kidding around.” He took full responsibility, Arena said. 

Time to move on.

-------  If anyone, THOM BRENNAMAN knows 

conflict when he sees it. Having been blackballed from 

aprofession in which he excels … for saying something at 

worst inappropriate that was aired unintentionally while 

doing a major league game on a regional (minor league) 

network … the son of Hall of Fame sportscaster MARTY 

BRENNAMAN is clawing his way back … hopefully, to 

the top where he belongs … which brought him to 

Charlottesville a couple of weeks ago to call Virginia-

North Carolina football on The CW Network … a tossup 

of a game matching one team that had lost four in a row 

including a downright embarrassing 70-50 decision to 

James Madison … with another that … well, hasn’t been 

the same since the late GEORGE WELSH was shoved 

out the door more than TWO DECADES ago.

Now, it’s TONY ELLIOTT’S turn to revitalize a 

program that has seen four coaches come and go since 

 … with eight winning seasons among the last 22 

and only three since 2008 … Hired off the Clemson staff 

where he was offensive coordinator, Elliott turned down a 

number of schools to accept AD CARLA WILLIAM’s 

offer three years ago … He arrived with such high hopes 

… and now? Elliott finds himself much like BRENT 

PRY, coach of arch-rival Virginia Tech … on the outs 

with fans and, perhaps even more important, the people 

who donate big bucks … A friend who has been more 

than generous subsidizing Cavalier athletics recently told 

Williams he would not put more money into football … 

for reasons that had nothing to do with Elliott, I might 

add. (We will get into that another day.)

Anyhow, there was North Carolina, wondering where it’s 

next ‘W’ was coming from, matched with Virginia, which 

suddenly had fans talking about a possible challenge for 

the ACC championship … By game’s end, it was back to 

reality. The Tar Heels romped 41-14 and, before it was 

over, there were unmistakable signs of a team imploding 

from within … During a timeout, with the score 38-6 … 

we see Elliott suddenly notice a confrontation on the 

Cavalier sideline involving 300-pound OT McKALE 

BOLEY … who is yapping at a teammate (QB

 ANTHONY COLANDREA?) The CW cameras follow 

Elliott as he breaks away from the huddle and needs only 

a few strides to reach Boley … and, clearly angry, pushes 

him towards the dressing room.

“Somebody’s pretty upset on the Virginia sideline,” said 

Brennaman. “I don’t know what’s going on down there … 

[but] they’re sending off McKale Boley [who] has made 

four consecutive starts [after] missing four weeks earlier 

in the year.” … Added analyst MAX BROWNE:  and 

there were no flags. This must be at Tony Elliott’s 

discretion. He [Boley] was beaten twice … I’ve been in 

locker rooms before, and I’m sure there are guys chirping 

at each other … and all sorts of potential finger-pointing 

and what not.”

Time running out in first half. North Carolina third-string 

QB JACOLBY CRISWELL throws into end zone. His 

back to the pass, Virginia DB KAM JACKSON pushes 

receiver JJ JONES into ball’s path. Touchdown … And 

Browne gushes over brilliance of Jones, saying, “This 

was a phenominal adjustment to the football … a little bit 

under thrown but …” No, Jones apparently thought it 

would be under thrown, which is what Criswell had done 

earlier on a long throw … Nevertheless, thanks to 

unintended assistance from Jackson, who drew a flag for 

interference, the Tar Heels, dominating on both sides of 

the ball, turned a 31-yard TD toss into a 24-6 advantage 

at the break … when they also had sacked Colandrea six 

times after having a total of 15 in seven games previously 

… losing the last four in a row while allowing an average 

of 41.6 points… ‘YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING 

ME!!” said The CW studio’s MICHAEL BUMPUS. 

“I talked to my buddy RAY ROBERTS, who went to 

Virginia (All-ACC OT under Welsh)… and he says, ‘Hey, 

this offensive line has to get better.’” … Maybe next 

week. The Hoos got the ball to start the second half. On 

second down, Colandrea was run out of bounds for a yard 

loss … followed by a diving interception of a short, low, 

off-balance toss intended for MALACHI FIELDS at 

the Virginia 33. In four plays, Carolina scored again (31-

6) … leaving the impression (with more than 27 minutes 

to go) that the Cavaliers had given up. “What a 

performance by North Carolina on the road at Virginia,” 

said Brennaman. “...You almost wonder if Virginia 

considers making a change at quarterback.” … Colandrea 

deserved better … and things only got worse when, 

shortly before the end of the third quarter, 6-4, 290-pound 

defensive tackle JAHVAREE RITZIEgrabbed a 

deflected pass and left everyone in his wake with a pick-6 

… At least Colandrea tried to knock him off his feet. The 

rest of the Cavaliers wanted no part of Ritzie who set no 

land-speed records covering – officially – 84 yards … 

“Are you kidding me?” Brennaman said. “Good for him. 

That’s something he’ll remember the rest of his life … 

Now, let me ask you this: When you are 290, do you get 

greater joy with a pick-6 or bellied up to a Tar Heel 

breakfast at IHOP? Think about it … he’s probably able 

to knock down four or five eggs, biscuits and gravy, a 

stack of pancakes … sausage and bacon.”

Elliott finally took pity on Colandrea, inserting former 

starter TONY MUSKETT with 11 minutes to go … and 

on 3d and 2 he found freshman JR WILSON wide, 

WIDE open at the Carolina 40 … for a 68-yard pass-run 

touchdown that gave what few Cavalier fans remained 

some reason to be happy with their decision not to leave 

early.

With four games to go, and Virginia a likely dog in all of 

them, the question is: Does Elliott have to win out to 

return for a fourth year on his five-year contract? ,,, An 

insider close to the program tells us he’s safe, no matter 

what happens. “But, if he doesn’t do a lot better next year, 

then he’s gone.” … Who knows, maybe Elliot, like more 

and more coaches, will have it up to here with it all, and 

get out on his own terms.

Until next time …

.