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Virginia Tech

Brent Pry announces Bud Foster remaining with Virginia Tech, will not serve as defensive coordinator

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•01/02/25
Bud Foster
Photo by Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech announced recently that it would be bringing back well-respected defensive mind Bud Foster to lend the program some insight. Now we know a bit more about his role.

According to Andy Bitter of Tech Sideline, coach Brent Pry revealed that Foster will be a part of the program going forward but will not be the defensive coordinator.

Foster has been retired since 2019 but is stepping out of retirement to help the Hokies. His doing so will be a permanent thing, though he will not assume full duties as defensive coordinator, a role he held with the program for 25 years spanning from 1995-2019.

Earlier this week, Pry revealed what Foster’s role would be in Friday’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Minnesota.

“We’ve had multiple conversations now about what his role will be during the game,” Pry said, according to The Roanoke Times. “And I think what we’re leaning toward is having some eyes up in the press box. Nowadays, you can put headsets on who you want and do what you want, so I think … it’s the best way he can help us Friday night.”

How desperately does Virginia Tech need the help from Bud Foster?

Well, the program is currently ranked 40th in scoring defense, 56th in total defense, 58th in passing defense and 60th in rushing defense. Those figures are all in the top half of the country but aren’t enough to make a real dent in the overall win/loss column.

Virginia Tech is just 6-6 on the season and will be playing to secure a winning season on Friday. Foster could certainly help.

During his heyday as a coordinator, he was considered one of the best in the game. He won the 2006 Frank Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. He was also named the AFCA Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 2000.

Foster was a staple with the program for more than three decades, joining as inside linebackers coach in 1987 and holding a variety of roles until he became defensive coordinator for the first time in 1995.

In any case, we’ll see how much of a lift he can provide Virginia Tech on Friday. The Duke’s Mayo Bowl is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET with a broadcast on ESPN.