With Virginia’s 2021 season officially finished — following the cancelation of the Fenway Bowl due to COVID-19 concerns — a transitionary coaching staff will finally shift. The Tony Elliott era starts now; however, his staff isn’t complete.
Two key assistant coaches from the Bronco Mendenhall’s staff — offensive coordinator Robert Anae and quarterbacks coach Jason Beck — are on the move. Anae and Beck will both head north, together. The two coaches will join Dino Babers and Syracuse.
Let’s try this one again.
Syracuse will hire former Virginia assistants Robert Anae and Jason Beck to help lead offense (report) | https://t.co/UyZqhiENg7— Syracuse Football (@syrfootball) December 27, 2021
Anae left Virginia last week; Beck, however, was scheduled to call plays for UVA in the Fenway Bowl.
Syracuse fired offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, after two seasons, last month. Anae is expected to take on those duties now. Beck, along with Anae, get a lot of credit for revitalizing the quarterback position at Virginia. That process started with Kurt Benkert, flowed to the dynamic Bryce Perkins and kept on chugging with 2021 All-ACC selection Brennan Armstrong.
Of course, the thing to monitor — for both programs — will be how these coaching staff shakeups alter transfer portal and/or NFL Draft decisions.