Mark Atuaia, former UVA coaches to wear UVA gear while coaching at their new schools following Virginia tragedy

The college football world came together in a big way this week after the shooting at Virginia. Three Cavaliers players — D’Sean Perry, Devin Chandler and Lavel Davis — were killed and running back Mike Hollins was injured when former UVA player Chris Jones opened fire as students came back from a field trip.

Virginia underwent a coaching change this year, meaning 10 of last year’s assistants left for new schools. They’re all paying tribute to the victims during this week’s games.

Every coach who worked on Bronco Mendenhall’s staff last year will wear Virginia gear on the sidelines this week. Former running backs coach Mark Atuaia — who’s now in the same role at Washington State — made the announcement via Twitter Thursday night. He also had a message for the UVA players and fans, many of whom will be at a public memorial Saturday afternoon after the Cavaliers’ game against Coastal Carolina was canceled.

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“Since that tragic Sunday, we’ve been struggling,” Atuaia said. “And when I say ‘we,’ I speak of my brothers, your former coaches that were there at UVA with you. We got together, came up with this idea. Beginning Thursday with SMU and Tulane, and then all throughout Saturday, all your coaches will be wearing the V sabres, dressed up as if we were coaching you back in Charlottesville to honor Lavel, Devin and D’Sean. And to let you know everybody back in Charlottesville, that distance or institutional change will never sever the relationships that we built.

“Just to let you know, all of our institutions that we’re currently at have been great. I know mine has. … The football fraternity is the best because we take care of each other, no matter where we’re at. So, while you’re sitting at home and at that memorial, we will be working. But know our hearts will be intertwined.”

The staff members scattered across the country over the offseason, but they’ll be connected this week as they wear their Virginia colors. SMU assistants Dwayne Chandler and Shawn Griswold — who were on UVA’s performance staff last year — were the first to coach a game Thursday night against Tulane and wore their Cavaliers gear. Throughout the weekend, Atuaia, Vanderbilt defensive coordiantor Nick Howell, Utah Tech co-defensive coordinator Shane Hunter, Boise State co-special teams coordinator Kelly Poppinga, FIU special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield, Cal outside linebackers coach Vic So’oto and Syracuse offensive coordinator Robert Anae and quarterbacks coach Jason Beck will all represent UVA during their respective games.

Atuaia also acknowledged a holdover from last year’s staff in his tweet. Marques “Biscuit” Hagans is still the wide receivers coach at UVA and lost two position players in the shooting. Atuaia listed the players involved in the shooting with hashtags and had a message for Hagans at the end.

“Love you Biscuit,” he wrote.