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In what comes as a complete surprise to BYU fans everywhere -- and the college football world in general -- Bronco Mendenhall was announced as the next head football coach at Virginia Friday.
UVA made the announcement official via their Twitter account Friday afternoon:
#UVA announces Bronco Mendenhall (@Bronco_BYU) as Hoos new head football coach. #GoHoos https://t.co/iHgWtantz4 pic.twitter.com/7m0onV4vWa
— Virginia Football (@UVa_Football) December 4, 2015
There was no indication whatsoever that Bronco was looking leave BYU, but as has been noted int he past Bronco never intended on staying at BYU forever. Bruce Feldman also reported that Bronco performed very well in the interview process:
Bronco Mendenhall had made it pretty clear for a while that BYU could not quite provide everything he wanted.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) December 4, 2015
Am told Bronco Mendenhall blew UVA folks away in the interview process.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 4, 2015
According to UVA's press release announcing the hire, Mendenhall will be well compensated with the 'Hoos. His average salary over the course of the five year deal is set to start at $3.25 million dollars per year.
There is no indication who BYU is expected to hire as Bronco's replacement but the options are likely limited considering BYU's stance that the head coach must also be a faithful member of the LDS Church.
Bronco leaves BYU with a 99-42 record in his 11 seasons at the helm along with 6 bowl wins. According to Sports Illustrated's Thayer Evans, he's expected to coach through BYU's bowl game.