Tony Elliott is set to make his first return to Clemson since leaving the program following the 2021 season, but this time as the head coach of Virginia. Elliott’s connection to the Tigers runs deep, having played for the team from 2000-03 and later serving in various coaching roles under Dabo Swinney. He began as Clemson’s running backs coach in 2011 before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2015, where he helped guide the team to six College Football Playoff appearances and two national championships.
Now leading Virginia, Elliott’s upcoming matchup against Clemson isn’t just another game on the schedule, but he remains focused on the task at hand. “Once the game starts, it’s no different from any other,” Elliott explained. Despite his ties to the program, he made it clear this isn’t about his personal journey. “This is about the players, not me. My role is to make sure they’re ready to perform.”
While Elliott admitted he’s been approached by friends and family eager to reconnect ahead of his return, he’s keeping his attention on his team’s preparation. “I’ll catch up with people after the game. Right now, I’ve got a job to do,” he emphasized, noting the importance of blocking out distractions—something he learned during his time at Clemson.
Virginia, currently 4-2, hopes to build on its progress despite a close loss to Louisville. Elliott has used many of the lessons he learned under Swinney to prepare for this game, ensuring his team stays focused. “You can’t get caught up in the moment or the environment,” he said, adding that the key is to focus on executing their own game plan rather than worrying about the opponent.
With both teams having something to prove, this game represents a significant opportunity for Virginia to make a statement under Elliott’s leadership.