Virginia Coach Elliott Embraces H.E.A.R.T. Philosophy as Season Progresses

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Tony Elliott, head coach of the University of Virginia football team, emphasizes a core philosophy known as H.E.A.R.T. as his squad strives for success this season. The acronym stands for Humility, Effort, Accountability, Respect, and Toughness. Elliott created this mantra during his time as a running backs coach at Clemson and has carried it into his current role.

Elliott has been involved in college football since 2006, beginning his career as a wide receivers coach at South Carolina State before returning to Clemson in 2011. His time at Clemson saw the development of the H.E.A.R.T. acronym, which he popularized with T-shirts among players. The values represented in H.E.A.R.T. reflect what Elliott seeks to instill in the Cavaliers.

“To serve someone’s heart, you truly have to have a relationship with them; you have to love them,” said Dabo Swinney, Elliott’s former head coach at Clemson. “And Tony leads with love.” This approach stems from a personal experience; Elliott’s life was profoundly impacted by the loss of his mother in a car crash when he was just nine years old. Raised by relatives, he understood early on the importance of compassion and support.

Now in his fourth season with Virginia, Elliott is focused on rebuilding the team’s culture after three consecutive losing seasons. The Cavaliers began 2025 with a 3-1 record, indicating a positive shift under his leadership. This weekend, Virginia faces a significant test against No. 8 Florida State, which will challenge Elliott’s commitment to building a culture based on love and winning.

The game is set to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, September 26, with live coverage on ESPN.