Extension coming for Mooney?

Chris Mooney has completed three years of the five-year deal to which he agreed when hired as basketball coach in May of 2005. An extension is, apparently, on the way.

"Discussions are ongoing, and we've talked about finalizing it in the fall," Mooney said Tuesday during a recruiting trip.

The Spiders went 13-17 (6-10 in the Atlantic 10 Conference) in Mooney's first season and 8-22 (4-12 in the A-10) in his second. In both, the Spiders were in the early stages of a rebuilding process necessitated by attrition linked to the tenure of Jerry Wainwright, Mooney's predecessor.

Last season, with one senior starter, UR went 16-15, 9-7 in the A-10. The Spiders finished fourth in the A-10 and posted the program's first winning record since 2003-04. Mooney said Tuesday that the absence of an extension at this time has not in any way hindered recruiting.

Seeking a pair for next season

The Spiders have only one scholarship senior, 6-9 Jarhon Giddings, on the 2008-09 roster. They have 11 other scholarship players, meaning there are two scholarships available for 2009-10, if there are no departures.

"We're excited to be at a point where we don't have so many scholarships to offer," Mooney said.

The Spiders brought in five scholarship freshmen two years ago, and five more last year. According to Mooney, UR is recruiting "about 10 players" hoping to fill the two scholarship slots.

Surgery subjects coming along

First-year football coach Mike London reports that Spiders who required offseason surgery -- and there were more than 20 -- are all likely to be ready for summer camp. That group includes two of UR's finest players, defensive end Sherman Logan (foot) and offensive tackle Tim Silver (knee).

"Everyone that had a surgery, everyone who missed a portion of or all of spring practice, is now participating in the summer workouts, and I anticipate that everyone will be as close to 100 percent as 100 percent can be," London said.

Spiders projected as CAA force?

The Colonial Athletic Association will hold its annual football media day next Wednesday in Baltimore, and UR apparently will be the South Division favorite.

Sixteen starters return from an 11-3 team that advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals and shared the CAA championship. The biggest question facing the Spiders may involve London, who never before has been a head coach.

"Father of seven, been a police officer, kicked down doors serving search warrants," London said of personal experiences that make him feel confident he can coach a football team.

Stadium part of recruiting pitch

The Spiders football staff is in the process of evaluating prospects, some of whom UR hopes to sign in February of 2009. That class would redshirt, with a couple of exceptions, during the 2009 season, then kick off Richmond eligibility in 2010, when the Spiders' on-campus stadium is scheduled to open. London said that will be part of his recruiting pitch.

London on Scott Burton, hired as UR's tight ends coach in January after nine years as the head coach at Highland Springs High: "It makes it easy when you have a guy that people know [locally]. He has instant credibility, and that helps a lot. It makes it easier for people to know and trust what we're trying to accomplish."

-- John O'Connor