Farewell O’Connor, Hello Pollard: UVA Baseball’s Turning Point

The last pitch has been thrown at Disharoon Park for 2025, and aside from the 2015 natty, it had perhaps greater meaning than any in Brian O’Connor’s previous two decades—at least at the time. Coach, his staff, and many of his star players have left for Starkville to reinvent Mississippi State baseball. Those who will now call themselves “Bullies” are leaving a Hoos program in which winning is very important, but are joining one in which an outcome less than Omaha is absolutely intolerable. Further pressure may come from the SEC, being the best conference in baseball. Brian is a heck of a coach, though, who will find success there, and his salary increase from $1.4 million on Grounds to $2.9 million, the ability to play home games in front of 15,000+ rabid fans, and greater monetary incentives for his roster are the fuel that fired Brian’s dream. He has “moved on,” but what is left of Hoos fortunes? Lots!

I had the pleasure of attending Chris Pollard’s VIP Meet & Greet on Wednesday, June 18, during which wife Stephanie, sons Thomas and Brady, and parents Larry and Peggy were all introduced. I left with the confidence that CTB’s Five Pillars have another torchbearer. Chris’s 420-396 record on the field during 13 years at Duke speaks to his prowess between the lines, but he appeared to be a genuinely caring man and a good listener when among family, UVA officials, and complete strangers! He will receive the financial incentive to step up from Duke’s $800,000 to UVA money of $1.2 million, plus $750,000 to divide among his staff. The term “student-athlete” will be central to the discussion when Chris first addresses his new collection of players.

Late news from On3 has it that Eric Becker, the #3 prospect in the transfer portal, has chosen to remain a Hoo over Texas! Fingers are crossed that some of his buds will follow suit, in addition to the eight Duke players who have already followed their coach north.

Spring sports are history, and die-hard Hoos fans will now have to wait until August 30 for the 6 p.m. Scott Stadium kickoff versus the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina. UVA’s previous three-year record, 11–23, poses a risk to Coach Elliott’s job security, but incoming portal talent may postpone that discussion. Ranked #4 in the ACC and #23 in the NCAA, the incoming football talent may increase chances of a winning record, a bowl bid, and—yes—may even put more warm bodies in those seats.

The many frustrated Hoos fans, especially those who prefer Scott Stadium and JPJ venues, are praying for turnaround seasons that will result in wins, positive media coverage, and 5-star recruiting. The above gridiron mention should not preclude discussion of our men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, and volleyball squads. The Lady Hoos have earned 13 of our 35 NCAA team awards—and in a much shorter period. BTW, the Hokie trophy case is STILL left gathering dust. And the final 2024–25 Commonwealth Clash results? Hoos 13, Hokies 6!