Shealy coaching tree includes UR’s London, VMI’s Woods

The University of Richmond and VMI each have 40 wins in their football rivalry that resumes Saturday at UR Stadium.

The current teams have this in common: Each head coach played in college for Dal Shealy.

Shealy directed UR's program from 1980-88. One of the Spiders' captains in 1982 was defensive back Mike London, now in his second season as Richmond's coach. VMI is led for the second year by Sparky Woods, who played quarterback and defensive back at Carson-Newman while Shealy was head coach there (1970-73). Both coaches continue to communicate with Shealy.

Said London: "He's a mentor. He's been a role model for a lot of years. Even with personal [issues], I've talked to him."

Said Woods: "He was a great influence on me. He loved me when I probably didn't deserve to be, when I was there in college. I'm very thankful that I've had the chance to have a relationship with this incredible man. The older I get, the more I appreciate him."

UR coach Jim Tait recruited London, but he played three seasons for Shealy, who this week recognized London as "the fiercest competitor I coached in all my stops."

Richmond early in Shealy's tenure was trying to gain traction as a major-college program, and regularly played top-level competition on the road. Spiders' defeats outnumbered victories while London was a four-year regular, and team morale wasn't easy to maintain under the circumstances. London's presence energized the Spiders, Shealy recalled.

"His teammates, Mike didn't mind getting them jacked up and letting them know what day it was," said Shealy, now retired in Jefferson City, Tenn.

Shealy recognized UR's hiring of London as "a brilliant move," and did so before the Spiders won the 2008 Football Championship Subdivision title.

Woods was a running high-school quarterback with an elevated football IQ when he met Shealy. "He was like me," Shealy said. "Knew he wanted to be a football coach in the eighth grade."

As a Tennessee assistant, Shealy helped Woods get on that staff. At Iowa State, Shealy did the same. "I can't think of anybody I respect more," said Woods, the former head coach at South Carolina and Appalachian State.

Shealy will be at UR Stadium Saturday, and despite his affection for both coaches, assume Shealy will pull for the Spiders. His son, Vic Shealy, is Richmond's first-year defensive coordinator. UR is No. 1 in the FCS. VMI hasn't posted a winning season since 1981.

Nevertheless, said Shealy of the Keydets, "You better fix your bayonets and be ready to charge, because they will come ready to take that hill."

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or .