Virginia Tech legend Bud Foster to retire from coaching after 2019 season

Chelsea Howard

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Virginia Tech legend Bud Foster to retire from coaching after 2019 season image

Longtime Virginia Tech assistant coach Bud Foster plans to retire after the 2019 season, the school announced Thursday. 

Foster joined the Hokies as part of Frank Beamer's first staff in 1987. He has served in a variety of roles, becoming defensive coordinator in 1995. He's also serving as associate head coach under Justin Fuente, who took over the program in 2016. 

 

"Virginia Tech has been home for 33 years and I'm grateful to continue doing what I love for one more season," Foster said in a statement. "I'll always be indebted to Coach Beamer for bringing me to Blacksburg back in 1987. Coach 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."

Foster, who previously coached at Murray State from 1981-86, is currently the longest-tenured assistant coach in college football. He won the Broyles Award in 2006, which is given annually to the top assistant coach in the country, and he's been a finalist three different times. 

While Foster is entering the final season of a five-year contract that he signed in 2014, he shared on social media that it was his decision to move on. 

“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,” Fuente said. “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."

Chelsea Howard