 Foster with Virginia Tech in 2004 | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Special Assistant to the Athletics Director |
| Team | Virginia Tech |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | July 28, 1959 Somerset, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1977–1980 | Murray State |
| Position(s) | Strong safety, linebacker |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1981–1982 | Murray State (GA) |
| 1983–1985 | Murray State (OLB) |
| 1986 | Murray State (LB/ST) |
| 1987 | Virginia Tech (ILB) |
| 1988–1992 | Virginia Tech (OLB) |
| 1993 | Virginia Tech (LB/ST) |
| 1994 | Virginia Tech (ILB/ST) |
| 1995–2015 | Virginia Tech (DC/ILB) |
| 2016–2019 | Virginia Tech (AHC/DC/LB) |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 2020–present | Virginia Tech (Special Assistant to the Athletics Director) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Frank Broyles Award (2006) AFCA Defensive Coordinator of the Year (2000) | |
Robert Eugene "Bud" Foster Jr.[1] (born July 28, 1959) is a retired American college football coach and former player. He currently serves as a Special Assistant to Athletics Director Whit Babcock.[2] Following the 2006 season, he received the Frank Broyles Award, which is annually given to the top assistant coach in college football.[3] Foster's 2005 and 2006 Hokie defenses led the nation in total defense. Foster is regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators in college football.[4] On August 1, 2019, Foster announced he was retiring at the end of the 2019 season.[5]
Since taking on his first coaching position at Virginia Tech in 1987, Foster coached over 50 players that were drafted in the NFL including first-round draft picks DeAngelo Hall,[6] Kyle Fuller, Tremaine Edmunds and Terrell Edmunds; Pro Bowlers Hall, Brandon Flowers and Kam Chancellor and Super Bowl champions Chancellor, Roger Brown, Tyronne Drakeford, Cornell Brown, Pierson Prioleau, and Kendall Fuller.[7] Foster also coached former All-Americans John Engelberger, Anthony Midget, Corey Moore, Ben Taylor, Ronyell Whitaker, David Pugh, Willie Pile, Darryl Tapp, Jimmy Williams, and Xavier Adibi.[8]
- ^ "House Joint Resolution No. 233: Commending Robert Eugene Foster, Jr". Virginia's Legislative Information System. February 24, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ Bitter, Andy (October 12, 2022). "The lifetime assistant legend: Bud Foster has 'no regrets' staying at Virginia Tech". The Athletic. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ "Foster honored as top assistant coach". Virginia Tech Hokies Athletics. January 16, 2007. Archived from the original on April 17, 2007. Retrieved January 17, 2007.
- ^ Sis, Matej (June 30, 2016). "Bud Foster named Top Defensive Coordinator in College Football". 247sports.com. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ Niziolek, Mike (August 1, 2019). "Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster to step down". Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ Berman, Mark (November 23, 2019). "Former Virginia Tech players thankful for relationship with Bud Foster". Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ Baptist, Bob (September 2, 2014). "Across the ball: Young defense in good hands with Foster". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ Niziolek, Mike (November 23, 2019). "All-Bud Team: Bud Foster's best players from a legendary career". Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 11, 2023.