Good article by David Teel to address keeping the Best D Coordinator in the country at VT:
http://www.dailypress.com/sports/virginia-tech/dp-spt-bud-foster-staying-20151130-story.html
According to
I feel like we can win at the highest level here," Foster said. "That's why I stayed here (over the years). A big part was Frank Beamer, but a big part was I felt like we could win at the highest level here, and we did for a number of years. I feel like we can get back to that, and I can be a big part of that."
But first Foster, 56, had to set aside ego and disappointment. He wanted to replace Beamer. At the very least, he wanted an opportunity to present Babcock his vision for the program.
Believing that the Hokies most need an infusion of offense, and swayed by surveys that say the most successful head coaches are, in general, former offensive coordinators, Babcock declined. He told Foster that he didn't want to grant him a "token interview."
This Babcock did gently, making Foster feel "that I was extremely important, and that made me feel good. I love it here. … I was disappointed that I didn't really get an opportunity, and I expressed that to him, that I didn't get a chance really state my case, so to speak. …
"My window as a head coach, as we've talked over the years, has gotten smaller and smaller and smaller, and it's probably as small as it can be right now. But at the same time, I still think I can bring a lot of value to the program, or any program. And I love this program. I love the Hokie Nation. They've taken me in and made me feel part of a bigger family."
It's uncertain whether Foster will be the lone member of Beamer's staff to remain. Fuente appears intent on bringing his offensive coaches from Memphis, but Foster has asked him to consider retaining defensive line coach Charley Wiles and secondary coach Torrian Gray.
"Ultimately, it's his decision," Foster said of Fuente, "and I'm on board with whatever he goes with. So I'm a team player all the way around. We're going to have the same vision together and we're going to work together."
Babcock said keeping Foster was not a requirement.
"I didn't think that was the right thing to do," Babcock added, "and having a father as a coach, coaches have to sink or swim, or win or lose, with their own guys. So when we talked to Justin about, hey, whoever you want to bring in, it's all in. We did talk about would he talk to Bud, and this wasn't his response, but it was something along the lines of, '
Are you kidding me? Heck yeah, I want to talk to Bud.'
"But I made it very clear if we feel strongly enough about you being the head coach, you can pick your guys. But then I did say, 'If it's not Bud you better have a darn good one you bring in here.'"
Babcock praised Beamer's entire staff for their professionalism since Beamer's Nov. 1 retirement announcement. Most knew they'd be working elsewhere next season, but they helped the Hokies win two of their three subsequent games to earn bowl eligibility.
Fuente said one of the appeals of working at Virginia Tech was the possibility of teaming with Foster, and when the two met, they explored not schemes and strategy, but more overarching themes such as family and backgrounds.
Retaining Foster also provides Fuente with at least one link to the Beamer Era.
"But also, that's not the only reason you keep Bud Foster," Fuente said. "I do think that's a part of it and that is true. But he's also an unbelievable defensive coordinator and has had guys play their tails off, and he loves this university as well."
Teel can also be reached by phone at 757-247-4636.
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