CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – As the shock of former UVA Baseball Coach Brian O’Connor’s departure begins to wear off, the University of Virginia is now focusing on “Hoos next” as they conduct a national search for a successor to O’Connor.  Obviously, there are big shoes to fill, but the UVA Athletics believes they can attract a top talent and according to Cvillerightnow.com Editor-n-Chief Mike Barber, Virgina is prepared to take some “big swings” at top tier talent in the coaching ranks across the country.  One of the big questions surrounding the situation is how much money UVA has to work with to support the program through NIL and the funding of scholarships, given the emphasis on the revenue sports of football and men’s basketball.  The approach of using the majority of the revenue being permissioned by the pending House settlement regarding the payment of college players going toward football and men’s basketball is nothing new.  Several months ago, Virginia Tech’s administration indicated the majority of their revenue would go toward supporting Head Football Coach Brent Pry. as the Hokies have 24 coaches on their staff while in comparison, UVA has 11.  So, Virginia may not have been able to match what Mississippi State could do in terms of an investment in Baseball, but they do have some resources, and only time will tell what they can produce.  UVA Athletics Director Carla Williams issued a statement in response to O’Connor’s departure:

“We are extremely grateful to Coach Brian O’Connor for his 22 years of outstanding leadership and service not only to our baseball program but to the University and Charlottesville communities. He established Virginia Baseball as the model for everything important to this community, including his incredible development of young men on and off the field and his commitment to integrity, hard work and academics. Coach O’Connor built a national championship program and that legacy is driving very strong interest in the position. We are indebted to him and his family for their dedication to the University of Virginia. Our national search began moments after he informed me of his decision on Sunday evening and we are making significant progress. With the tremendous support from our donors and fans over the last two decades, we look forward to hiring a head coach that will build upon the excellence that currently exists and continue competing for championships.”

Meanwhile, Brian O’Connor will be introduced at a press conference in Starkville Mississippi on Thursday, and many will be watching to see what he says regarding his motivation for leaving a program he oversaw for 22 years.  Greg Madia, who covers UVA Athletics for the Charlottesville Daily Progress joined Cville Right Now Live on WINA and provided some context as to O’connor’s potential motivation for the move and what UVA will do next.  Listen to the interview below:

Stay tuned to WINA’s Best Seat in the House weeknights at 5p.m. for more on this story.