Countdown to ACC Kickoff, No. 18: Bud Foster
The ACC Kickoff (aka media days) is fast approaching. I’ll be using the blog to count down to what we media members consider the unofficial start of the football season. This isn’t a list of the 25 best players on Virginia Tech’s roster. It’s a list of 25 things/people that will determine whether the Hokies’ 2012 season is a success or not. That includes players and coaches from both Virginia Tech and, occasionally, a few of its opponents.
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No. 18: Bud Foster, defensive coordinator
Bud Foster has had defenses ranked No. 1 in the country before. The Hokies accomplished that in both 2005 and ’06 in total defense. With nine starters back, the return of several injured players and the experience their replacements got last year, there might be a chance that group gets back within shouting distance of that top spot this year.
Virginia Tech ranked 10th nationally after giving up 304.64 yards per game. That came after an uncharacteristic 2010, when the Hokies gave up 361.5 yards per game and were 52nd nationally.
Now, Foster has the pieces to have another dominating defense. The entire two-deep returns on the defensive line, led by James Gayle, J.R. Collins and Derrick Hopkins. Bruce Taylor will be back from a Lisfranc injury that cost him the end of 2011, one of three returning starters at linebacker. And Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum form an intriguing pair of cornerbacks in a talented, albeit thin, secondary.
Foster has known how to push the right buttons over the years, although his challenge is expanding as the ACC diversifies its offenses.
While the Hokies held Clemson’s up-tempo, spread offense somewhat in check in the first game last year (a 23-3 loss in Lane Stadium), the rematch in the ACC championship game was rough, with the Tigers gaining 457 yards in a 38-10 rout.
As he usually does in the offseason, Foster spent time with Missouri’s coaching staff, undoubtedly getting some pointers on how to handle the spread offense (add North Carolina to the mix of spread teams the Hokies will face now that Larry Fedora is in charge). How Virginia Tech counters Clemson’s offense after being beaten soundly twice last year could be the difference between winning the ACC and watching somebody else hoist the trophy.
Other defensive challenges dot the schedule. Georgia Tech’s option offense is up in the opener, Paul Chryst brings his power-based, pro-style scheme to Pittsburgh and Florida State could have one of the better quarterbacks in the country in EJ Manuel.
Virginia Tech is never going to stray far from its preferred winning formula: a ball control offense buoyed by a standout defense and strong special teams.
Well, despite the return of quarterback Logan Thomas, there are questions about an offense that must replace eight starters and the special teams play has been sub-par in recent years. As usual, that will put a lot of the onus on Foster’s defense to carry the day. The group appears to have the talent to do so.
Coming Thursday: Could be a senior, could be a freshman.
Previous entries:
- No. 25: Randall Dunn, senior tight end
- No. 24: Donaldven Manning, freshman cornerback
- No. 23: Pick a punter
- No. 22: J.C. Coleman, freshman running back
- No. 21: Georgia Tech’s option offense
- No. 20: Antoine and Derrick Hopkins, defensive tackles
- No. 19: EJ Manuel, Florida State quarterback
July 4, 2012 - 9:52 AM
In Bud I trust – all others need to prove it
Andy, I’ve kind of lost track of how long you’ve been with us. I don’t know if you’ve experienced Lane Stadium when the opposing team is 1st and goal, south end zone. Bud’s D is dug in and the fans are just going nuts. The roar gets louder and louder with each failed attempt to advance the ball. It’s fourth and goal, the opposing coaches confer and elect to give it one more shot. At that point every fan in Lane knows it’s not going to work and they shout their approval of the decision. The corner pass is deflected by one of VT’s DB’s and Lane erupts with a thundering roar that can be heard up and down 81. That’s Bud Foster D and VT football. It doesn’t work all the time but it does more often than not. It’s what makes VT football special and why Bud is revered as he is.
The guy is overrated, just about everybody VT plays are having trouble getting into the endzone in the first place, this explains his success. Every time they play somebody of note, his defense gets exposed!
Is Foster the best? I’d think so, but he is also among the best because Foster and his cohorts consistently field top 10 defenses, with the 2010 defense being the exception. I font typically criticize Foster, but the championship game against Klemson was horrible in how the defense played so far from the line of scrimmage, and didn’t seem to make adjustment to counter Morris’ play-calling.
I remember when Iowa defeated Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, Foster flew to Iowa for a sit-down to learn how Iowa was successful in countering the triple-option. He did that right after he had surgery on his back. I think when Foster became familiar with Johnson’s triple-option, it showed in Atlanta last year. His change on the defensive line and linebacker helped tremendously.
One thing that will Foster out is having an offense that hogs the ball and chew the clock.
Definetly over rated, I agree every time they play a doog offense they get exposed big time.
overrated? on independence day you can have your freedom of speech. now comes my turn. if bud foster had not been the defensive coordinator all these years- in my opinion frank beamer would not still be the head coach. who remembers all the years of offense that put you to sleep with not many points. if you dont have fosters defense tech would have lost many more games. to call him overrated is like saying appalachian power employees are having a relaxing fourth of july.
Those “somebodys of note” most likely have way more talent. Bud can’t be blamed if for instance the defensive line is getting blown off the ball every snap or if multiple starters go down with injuries
Another thought I have about Foster. I think the more familiar he becomes with Klemson’s offense, he’ll have a better idea of how to counter the offense, and get his charges off the field. In a perfect world, Foster’s players would be able to pitch a shut out for every games.
It’s interesting that teams in the ACC are diversifying their offenses. Tech finally did something noteworthy, they actually added a Pistol formation in their playbook!
#3 Robert, cite some specific examples!
Drew and Robert are obviously VT haters, which means they must believe in the fighting London’s of UVA-c. If that’s the football they watch, their opinion doesn’t count. The D is not overrated when continually in the top 10 in country and when espn knows the D Coordinator by name without checking notes. How many other coordinators are known this way? I couldn’t name another coordinator other than GT’s algroh – and only because I laugh that he brought the “effective” 3-4 to Atlanta!
Bud Foster isn’t the best defensive mind in college football, but he is excellent. He’s certainly the best fit for VT, both in production and in mindset. I’d estimate he gives Beamer an additional three wins per season, easily. Just imagine if Frank had hired on the defensive side the way he hired on the offensive side. Beamer would be unemployed right now, or back somewhere in FCS football, making a tenth of his current salary.
Bud deserves a huge amount of respect for what he’s accomplished, year after year after year.
Clemson completely dominated the Tech offense,especially in the championship game, and that had more to do with Tech losing the game than
the defense had to do with it.
The Virginia Tech offense is what it is and what it always will be, and that is the way that it is.
Let’s go Hokies !!!
I agree Bud is a big pert of Hokie success, but remember the only person he has worked for and who developed him is Frank Beamer, and I believe they are a good for each other.
I would guess that Michigan thinks the VT defense is UNDER-Rated. Our defense payed lights out against that Over-rated Big 10 QB. That game was one of the most dominating VT defensive performances ever. Thank you Bud! I would think the 2012 season will be much more of the same. Bring on Clemson and FSU. Let’s show them what we’ve got.
Go Hokies!
Tim
Welcome back Robert and Drew! Be easy on them guys, they have to come to a VT message board to discuss football…
The hoo faithful who think Foster is overrated need to look in the mirror at their underachieving hoo coaches, the baseball and football hype with NO big wins to show for it. And basketball lags back with the other ” major ” sports at hooville. But, there is always the joy of rowing to wet the appetite of all hoo faithful.
UVA did manage to put a 0 on the scoreboard against VT last year, so of course Foster’s defense is overrated. I guess it should have been a negative number.
Robert, it must really stink to get blown out 38-0 -not even able to score against and overrated defense that can’t stop a good offense.
Hey Morons (Hokie24 & Steve) UVA is one of the teams that can’t get it in the endzone. UVA wasn’t in the top 80 teams in the country in scoring offense. VT only played 3 teams last year that ranked in the top 40 teams in scoring offense and they had no problems scoring on Buds defense. The reason you boys can’t win a bowl is that when you get to a bowl you for one of the few times all year play somebody with a offense. Have a nice evening!
Robert, me thinks you are the moron. VT has consistently had a top defense. My comment though was to acknowledge how miserable it must be to be you – a pathetic UVA fan bashing on a defense that dominated your team.
Moron? Come on Robert… at least put some effort into your trolling.
Tell me what I wrote that’s not true.
Foster’s defense has carried the team with out many marquee players. His players are extremely disciplined and well coached. Lack of depth hurts VT on offense and defense. Ex.)Tech was actually more ready for Clemson at the end of the season, but when Jaron Hosely went out with a concussion attempts to cover for him weakened the whole scheme and the defense was toast. This is the difference between good teams and teams that are nearly impossible to beat. Depth. It is a chronic problem with Tech and the ACC in general. What brings depth is BCS Bowl wins and Championships and what brings those is Depth. Seniors help too and they are getting harder to come by. Tech is an extremely competitive program and if the are a top flight team period.