For the last 24 years, Bud Foster has been one of the best defensive coordinators in college football. In 11 of those 24 years, Virginia Tech has finished ranked in the top ten in total defense, and that has helped transform the Hokies from a college football backwater into a school that expects to compete for division titles every year. After such an incredible run of success, Foster has decide to retire at the end of the 2019 season.
Big news out of #VaTech: DC Bud Foster and head coach Justin Fuente announce that Foster plans to retire from coaching following the 2019 season.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) August 1, 2019
Bud Foster has spent over three decades in Blacksburg. He came to Virginia Tech after spending six years as a defensive assistant at Murray State, coming over with the coach that first hired him, the legendary Frank Beamer. From 1987 to 1992, he coached the Hokies’ linebackers, and in 1993 and 1994 he took on the duties of the special teams coach as well.
In 1995, Beamer promoted Foster to defensive coordinator. It was a move that paid immediate dividends as Foster immediately entrenched himself as one of the top defensive minds in the game. His aggressive mentality and tenacity was mirrored by his players, and Virginia Tech soared to unprecedented heights.
— Bud Foster (@coachfostervt) August 1, 2019
His peak was in the mid-2000s. From 2004 to 2008, Bud Foster’s defenses ranked No. 4, No. 1, No. 1, No. 4, and No. 7 in total defense, and that made him a hot commodity in coaching circles. However, he decided the life of a head coach wasn’t for him and stayed with Beamer until he retired at the end of the 2015 season.
Virginia Tech fans rejoiced when Foster agreed to stay on when Justin Fuente was hired to replace Beamer, and Foster also took on the role of assistant head coach. The first two seasons with these two at the forefront turned out to be great, but last year saw Foster’s defense put up its worst numbers yet.
The Hokies finished No. 98 in the country in total defense, and they almost missed out on a bowl game. There have been reports that the relationship between Fuente and Foster has become frayed, so Foster decided to go out on his own terms rather than seeing a potentially messy situation unfold.
Despite last year’s disappointment, many are calling for Virginia Tech to win the ACC Coastal this year, and it would be a fitting end to Bud Foster’s career.
H/T The Athletic
