Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster Will Retire After The 2019 Season
“Virginia Tech has been home for 33 years and I’m grateful to continue doing what I love for one more season,” Bud Foster said. “I’ll always be indebted to Coach (Frank) Beamer for bringing me to Blacksburg back in 1987. Coach (Justin) Fuente has been phenomenal to work with and I can’t thank him enough for the way he has embraced our defensive philosophy and the many traditions of Virginia Tech football. It’s been a great ride and it’s not over yet. I’ve been blessed to work with so many outstanding individuals and have enjoyed the privilege of coaching some of the best players to ever wear a Hokies’ uniform.
“I appreciate Whit (Babcock) and Coach Fuente putting their faith in me the past few years,” Foster added. “Whit has been a class act all the way around and I have no doubt that Coach Fuente is the right guy to continue leading this program. I’m energized about where the Hokies are headed under his direction and I’m grateful for our friendship. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this program for over three decades and that’s not going to change this year. I’m excited about this season and I can’t wait to get on the practice field Friday.”
Athletic director Whit Babcock, current head coach Justin Fuente and former head coach/College Football Hall of Famer Frank Beamer had these remarks on Foster's retirement per Virginia Tech's press release."Bud (Foster) has served as an integral piece of the fabric of Virginia Tech football for 33 seasons,” Whit Babcock said. “All Hokies appreciate Bud’s many longstanding contributions to our University and the many individuals he has positively impacted over the years. Coach (Justin) Fuente and I both recognize and respect that this was Bud’s decision to make and no one else’s. He’s enjoyed an outstanding career, embracing Tech’s values and spirit of Ut Prosim. We are looking forward to a memorable 2019 and will always be proud to call Bud Foster one of our own at Virginia Tech.”
“There’s only one Bud Foster,” Justin Fuente said. “When Whit (Babcock) and I first discussed the head coaching job at Virginia Tech in 2015, one of the many appealing aspects of the opportunity was that it could potentially come with the best defensive coordinator in the country. I’m personally grateful for how Bud accepted me and the fact that I’ll be able to work with him for a fourth season. When you think of the individuals who truly helped put Virginia Tech on the national map, it unquestionably starts with Frank Beamer and includes a multitude of sensational players starting with Bruce Smith and Michael Vick. But you can’t go any further in that conversation without discussing Bud Foster and the Lunch Pail Defense. What a great friend, an outstanding man and unbelievable football coach.”
“Bud’s contributions to this university and community have been monumental!” Frank Beamer said. “I want to personally thank him for his decades of dedication and commitment. I encourage the Hokie Nation to show up ‘loud & proud’ this fall to cheer on Coach (Justin) Fuente and the team, and, to send Coach (Bud) Foster out the Virginia Tech way!”
We will have more updates as this story develops.