Two weeks into his tenure as University of Richmond football coach, Mike London couldn't cut his ties to Virginia if he wanted.

London forged strong relationships with players and recruits in his latest two-year sojourn in Charlottesville, and the UVa program is feeling his absence.

London knew there was a possibility he would get the Richmond job, so one of his last acts as a Virginia assistant was to travel to suburban Maryland and talk to three players he had recruited.

"I told them, 'Look, you're going to hear some things,'" London said. "In all cases, I told them, 'The reasons you chose Virginia are still very valid.'"

Nevertheless, within days of Richmond's announcement, recruit Ugo Uzodinma told the Cavaliers that he was withdrawing his commitment and would sign with Illinois.

Uzodinma also said he was disappointed that London had not called him personally to inform him of his decision.

"I called his coach," London said. "I spoke to his mother. It's just one of those things. The kid and I had a great relationship. He picked Virginia because of me. That's the way it happens sometimes."

Of the first 16 players to commit to Virginia for 2008, eight were recruited by London. Many of the current UVa players either were recruited by London or had him as their defensive coordinator.

He was also the position coach for the defensive line, where he helped develop first-team All-American Chris Long, as well as Long's bookend defensive end, Jeffrey Fitzgerald, a rising star who ranked fourth on the team in tackles.

London has served as a confidant in recent times for Fitzgerald, who has been dealing with an undisclosed off-the-field issue that has jeopardized his UVa future.

"I understand that he has an appeal in process," London said, "but this has hit them really, really hard as a family. All I can really do is provide emotional support at a time like this.

"If it happens [that Fitzgerald leaves], it's a loss not only in terms of athletic ability but in leadership, too. He's a great kid who's a real presence in that locker room."

Virginia is in position to lose the entire front line of its 3-4 defense, including Long's fellow senior, nose tackle Allen Billyk. Holdovers include 2007 backups Nate Collins, Alex Field and Sean Gottschalk.

The X-factor might be redshirt nose tackle Nick Jenkins, one of the highest-rated recruits in Virginia's 2007 signing class.

"It's going to be his time," London said. "He's a real buzz saw. ... Nick's class is a really talented class. Plus, [cornerback] Mike Brown is coming back."

Another cornerback, two-year starter Chris Cook, joins quarterback Jameel Sewell and two other scholarship players who are not enrolled this semester.

That makes at least five players with remaining eligibility who will not be available in 2008, including first-team All-ACC offensive guard Branden Albert, who applied for the NFL Draft.

Moreover, Uzodinma might not be the only London recruit to renege.

Corey Lewis, an all-state offensive lineman from Pennsylvania, took an official visit to Penn State following London's departure.

"Had this opportunity not come along, I would still be there," said London, a University of Richmond graduate. "I understand they're going through some tough times.

"You know me, I'm emotional about everything I do. I laugh, I hug, I cry. The relationship part with those guys was huge. It's unfortunate what's happened with Sewell and Fitz, but I've had to tell myself, 'There's hardly ever a right time to leave.'"