WILLIAMSBURG — The William & Mary football program celebrated in a big way after notching a victory on Saturday against Charleston Southern. With the win, the Tribe faithful also got a chance to honor head coach Mike London, as he notched career victory 100.
London, who played college football at the University of Richmond as a defensive back, was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 1983, but ultimately ended up not making the cut. Long before coaching became an opportunity, London served as a police detective in Richmond from 1985-87.
He says it’s the experiences he had as a detective that he’s applied to his coaching philosophy.
“I’ve seen the worst of what people do to each other, but at the same time, I’ve learned that you always treat people with dignity and respect regardless of what station in life they are in,” London said.
With coaching stints as outside linebackers coach at Richmond, defensive line coach at William & Mary, defensive line coach at Boston College, assistant coach at University of Maryland and assistant coach at University of Virginia, he landed his first head coaching job at the University of Richmond in 2008. He also had head coaching jobs at Howard University and University of Virginia.
In addition to college, London also had an NFL coaching stint as the Houston Texans’ defensive line coach in 2005.
When he earned the head coaching job at William & Mary in 2019, he was happy to come home to Hampton Roads.
“Going and chasing head coaching jobs as coaches often do, I knew coming back was right. My mom lives in Hampton, my brother and sister live in Hampton, and William & Mary has garnered a reputation of being the best of both worlds with academic excellence, opportunities post-graduation, and also the NFL,” London explained.
During his coaching career, London led his 2008 Richmond team to the FCS National Championship, was recognized as the 2008 AFCA National Coach of the Year, was a 2017 and 2022 FCS Eddie Robinson Award finalist, was named 2017 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year, 2022 Bobby Ross Coach of the Year, 2022 VaSID Coach of the Year, and was the recipient of the 2025 William & Mary Plumeri Award.
London says that he follows three F’s: Faith, family and football.
During London’s tenure, he’s seen many of his players both compete and coach in the National Football League. He says that watching players thrive after their collegiate playing days speaks to the kind of school that William & Mary is.
“We talk about being a productive citizen and that academics matter. I’m okay with saying that ‘school is cool.’ My identity is not tied up into just being a football coach. I’ve been so many other things in life that now I have a chance to demonstrate that by helping the next generation,” London said.
London’s family was on hand to celebrate his 100th career victory, but all the people who came before him were also on London’s mind.
“That really invoked memories. It makes me think of my dad, who coached me; it made me think of why I got into this profession, and the journey I went on to becoming a head coach. It’s tough to become a head coach. It’s important to me to represent this institution in a first-class way. I thought about all those before me and hopefully that those who come behind me have even more opportunities than I have had,” London said.
To commemorate the victory, the university also presented him with a William & Mary jersey, complete with the number 100 on the back.
As he looks to add win 101 this weekend against Villanova, London says it’s business as usual.
“You are brought down to the reality of your own road, you have to go play a really good team, and if you are going to win or challenge for the conference, you are going to have to win your road matchups. This is another conference game, and that’s the most important part of it. We’re getting ready, getting focused on getting better, to make sure that we bring our ‘A’c game again against a very good Villanova team,” London said.
The Tribe will be on the road for a 3:30 p.m. Saturday kickoff at Villanova. For more information, visit TribeAthletics.com.