London’s top task is filling vacancies

University of Richmond football coach Mike London seeks assistance.

Gone from his 2008 staff are defensive coordinator Russ Huesman, wide receivers coach Mark Carney and strength-and-conditioning coach Brandon Hourigan. Huesman became the coach of Tennessee-Chattanooga, his alma mater. Carney appears headed to the staff of Bowling Green, whose program is led by former UR coach Dave Clawson. Hourigan moved to the University of Virginia.

"I'm going through the process of reviewing applications [and taking] calls from guys who are recommending coaches," London said over the weekend. "The process for me will be finding the right fit, finding guys who are going to be good for the players, good for the university. And also be good from an X-and-O standpoint.

"We're losing some good coaches, and I'm trying to replace them with good coaches, and even better men."

Huesman had been UR's defensive coordinator for five years. Carney, who played for Clawson at Fordham, was also a Spiders staff member for five years. Hourigan spent three years at UR.

NOTES: Defensive end Lawrence Sidbury will play in the East-West Shrine Game (Saturday in Houston) and has received an invitation to participate in the NFL Combine. . . . Will Healy, a senior reserve QB on the 2008 team, became an offensive assistant on Huesman's staff. Healy is from Chattanooga.

-- John O'Connor

RICHMOND'S 2009 SCHEDULE

Sept. 5, at Duke; 12, at Delaware; 19, Hofstra; 26, VMI.

Oct. 10, at James Madison; 17, at Maine; 24, Massachusetts; 31, at Towson.

Nov. 7, Villanova; 14, at Georgetown; 21, William and Mary