Tony Elliott returns for his fifth season after Virginia finished 11-3 overall and 7-1 in ACC play in 2025, including an appearance in the ACC Championship Game. Des Kitchings returns as offensive coordinator, while Missouri transfer Beau Pribula takes over as the starting quarterback. Virginia must replace running backs J’Mari Taylor and Harrison Waylee. Middle Tennessee transfer Jekail Middlebrook has emerged as the starter in a rebuilt backfield, while Tennessee transfer Peyton Lewis provides another option. The Cavaliers must also replace their top three receivers from last season, while Kameron Courtney returns after making 25 catches. UCLA transfer Rico Flores Jr. joins the receiving corps after recording 26 receptions in 2025, while tight end Dakota Twitty also returns. The offensive line brings back full-time starters McKale Boley, Noah Josey, and Drake Metcalf, each of whom started all 14 games last season, while veteran Monroe Mills returns after missing 2025.
John Rudzinski returns as defensive coordinator with Virginia, which is bringing back six of its top eleven tacklers from last season despite losing its top two. Kam Robinson returns as a defensive leader after starting all eight games last season, while Jason Hammond and Fisher Camac bring considerable experience in the front seven. Update (Sept. 22): DL Jason Hammond suffered a season-ending injury and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. In the secondary, Ethan Minter, Jacobie Henderson, and Donavon Platt return as established starters, while Michigan transfer Brandyn Hillman joins the defensive backfield after making 12 starts last season. Maddox Marcellus and Landon Danley also return after finishing among Virginia’s top five tacklers in 2025.
Keith Gaither returns as special teams coordinator, with Will Bettridge back at placekicker after making a school-record 24 field goals last season, while Daniel Sparks returns at punter after averaging a school-record 47.2 yards per punt. Elijah Slibeck also returns as the kickoff specialist. Josiah Abdullah handles punt-return duties, while Jacquon Gibson provides an option on kickoff returns. The Cavaliers entered 2026 with turnover at quarterback, running back, and receiver but retain an experienced offensive line and considerable starting experience throughout the defense.