Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster will retire at the conclusion of the 2019 college football season.
Foster, 60, is currently the longest-tenured FBS assistant coach. The upcoming season will be his 33rd season as an assistant coach with the Hokies.
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this program for over three decades and that’s not going to change this year,” Foster said in a statement. “I’m excited about this season and I can’t wait to get on the practice field Friday.”
Foster served as the linebackers coach since he was hired by former head coach Frank Beamer in 1987. He was promoted to special teams coordinator in 1993 before becoming co-defensive coordinator in 1995.
He took over as the sole defensive coordinator the following year and has held onto the role since the 1996 season. In 2016, coach Justin Fuente named him associate head coach.
Foster is the architect of Virginia Tech’s “Lunch Pail Defense” and in 2006, he won the Broyles Award, which is given to the best assistant coach in the country.
At the conclusion of the season, Foster will move into a new role where he will report directly to athletic director Whit Babcock.
“Bud has served as an integral piece of the fabric of Virginia Tech football for 33 seasons,” Babcock said in a statement. “All Hokies appreciate Bud’s many longstanding contributions to our University and the many individuals he has positively impacted over the years. Coach Fuente and I both recognize and respect that this was Bud’s decision to make and no one else’s.”
— Field Level Media
