Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster to Retire Following the 2019 Season

Longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster is calling it a career after the 2019 season, the program announced on Thursday.

Foster has been with the Hokies for 33 years, arriving with Frank Beamer ahead of the 1987 season as the team's linebackers coach. He's been the team's defensive coordinator since he was promoted in 1995.

"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 release. "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."

Since Foster took sole control of the defense in 1996, Virginia Tech has led the nation in sacks (856.0), sack yardage (-5,839), interceptions (380) and third-down percentage (31.5). Over that span, only Alabama (16.3 points per game) and Ohio State (17.0 points per game) have been better in scoring defense than Virginia Tech (18.1).

Foster notoriously got the better of the Buckeyes during their 2014 national championship season, utilizing a 46 Bear front against a freshman J.T. Barrett in just his second start, forcing him into a 9-for-29 passing performance with three interceptions leading to Ohio State's only loss on the season.