Virginia Extends Football Coach Tony Elliott Through 2030 Season

Elliott led the Cavaliers to a school-record 11 wins and an ACC championship game appearance in 2025.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action and competing perspectives of a college football game, rendered in a cubist style with bold navy, orange, and green hues.A cubist interpretation of the strategic chess match between coaches as Virginia aims to build on its recent football success.University of Virginia Today

The University of Virginia has agreed to a contract extension with head football coach Tony Elliott that will keep him with the program through the 2030 season. Elliott, who was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2025, guided the Cavaliers to a school-record 11 wins last season and an appearance in the ACC championship game.

Why it matters

The contract extension for Elliott signals a long-term commitment by Virginia to the football program and its continued development under his leadership. After struggling in his first three seasons, Elliott has quickly turned the Cavaliers into one of the top teams in the ACC, making the extension a reward for his turnaround efforts.

The details

Elliott's new contract with Virginia runs through the 2030 season, though financial terms were not disclosed. In 2025, he led the Cavaliers to a 13-7 victory over Missouri in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and a berth in the ACC championship game, marking a significant improvement from his first three seasons when the team went just 11-23.

  • In 2025, Elliott led Virginia to a school-record 11 wins and an appearance in the ACC championship game.
  • On April 8, 2026, the University of Virginia announced Elliott's contract extension through the 2030 season.

The players

Tony Elliott

The head football coach at the University of Virginia who has agreed to a contract extension through the 2030 season.

Carla Williams

The athletic director at the University of Virginia who praised Elliott's commitment to the program and its values.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The commitment to football at the University of Virginia is real and palpable throughout our building. I'm proud of the foundation that we have laid and excited for what we can do together in the years to come.”

— Tony Elliott, Head Football Coach, University of Virginia

“We are extremely fortunate to have Tony Elliott continue to lead our football program. His commitment to the values of the University of Virginia and his commitment to developing the whole person through football have been a blessing. His vision of building the model program has never wavered, despite extraordinary adversity. The future is bright for UVA Football and we're excited to continue this work together.”

— Carla Williams, Athletic Director, University of Virginia

What’s next

The University of Virginia will look to build on its recent success under Coach Elliott as it aims to compete for ACC and national championships in the coming years.

The takeaway

Tony Elliott's contract extension is a strong vote of confidence from the University of Virginia in his ability to sustain the program's recent turnaround and establish the Cavaliers as a consistent contender in the ACC and nationally.