Tech’s Foster figures to be a hot holiday-list item
Virginia Tech football fans can brace for an interesting December now.
And I’m not talking about which bowl game Tech may land. Hey, that’s of total Lilliputian-sized consequence to the pilgrims of Hokie Nation when compared to a more weighty question: If and where Bud Foster could land down the road?
In upcoming days, the name of the Hokies’ beloved secretary of defense figures to be tossed around a bunch in regards to prospective head-coaching openings.
It’s already started. It didn’t take long before the forced resignation of Marshall head coach Mark Snyder on Sunday got the rumormill off and running.
Within hours of Snyder’s ouster, Foster’s name had surfaced on at least two credible Internet Websites as a possible candidate for the Thundering Herd’s post. Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer was the other early viable candidate being mentioned for the vacancy on Monday.
Louisville, which already has shown Steve Kragthorpe the door, and Cincinnati, if miracle worker Brian Kelly should land the Notre Dame opening, will simply add more fuel to the Foster inferno. For obvious reason, either position would be a much more appealing change-of-address venue than Marshall for Foster, who has made it publicly known that he wants to be a FBS head coach.
If Notre Dame hires Kelly to replace Charlie Weis, who was handed the pink slip Monday afternoon, Cincinnati would be a golden opportunity for Foster. Unlike the Marshall vacancy in Conference USA, either of of the Big East jobs would come gift-wrapped with BCS bowl tie-ins.
So get ready, Hokies. Worried about Christmas gift ideas for the family? Best be concerned about what holdiday shopping lists Bud Foster’s name appears.
Ready for a huge lump of coal in your stockings, Hokies? Well, it could happen.
– RANDY KING
December 1, 2009 - 12:35 AM
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How come we don’t ever hear Stineys name mentioned with job openings?
Maybe Dale Wimbrow would make a good head coach for UVa!
Wow Nelson what an appropriate comment for an article about Bud Foster possibly getting a head coaching job. I’m sure typing it made you feel really good about yourself.
We hear this every year. A VT assistant may be offered a head coaching job somewhere. Then it will be time for VT, or the boosters, to find more money to give the coaches, who are making 6 figures, in order to get him to stay at VT.
Let them entertain offers. If they really love VT, they will stay. If not, let them take the offer.
As much as i would hate it, i think Bud Foster would be a great fit at ND…call me crazy.
We can’t lose Bud — so Weaver better be coming up with some big bucks!!!
For as far back as I can remember, Bud Foster has been the focus of post-season speculation. With the number of attractive openings this year, we can believe his time has come. I like the scenario of Notre Dame picking up Paul Johnson from Georgia Tech. That leaves the Cincinnati job in place, which woud be a long-term set up. Foster would be a good bet to land the Louisville job, and come back to the Hokies in four or five years when Coach Beamer gets ready to settle back on the farm. The best part is not having to get beat up by Johnson’s wierdness every fall. That should even out the loss of Coach Foster for a few years until he gets back home.
Foster may finally get his opportunity. If he does not land one of these jobs he will be in B’burg forever more.
Nelson The D-Bag strikes again.
If we lose Foster and do not address the Offensive situation, then if Virginia would get either the Wake Forest Coach or Richmond Coach, then
it could be the beginning of the downhill slide for the Va Tech Football Program! You can take that to the BANK!
@ Robert – Stiney will be in Blacksburg as long as Beamer is there protecting his job, unfortunately. He has to be good for someone to actually want him and we all know that hasn’t happened.
The Hokies better do WHATEVER is necessary to keep Bud Foster in Blacksburg, because, as Bob said above, the Hokies will be in a world of hurt with a predictable offense and a newly developing defense. At the very least, The Hokies need to keep Charlie Wiles and Torian Gray to run the defense if Foster leaves.
Somebody, PLEASE, take Stinespring…
Bud Foster is a very good DC. He has earned a chance if that is what
he wants.
If he leaves he will be jumping into the fire, so to speak.
If he stays in Blacksburg, (comfort zone), he can retire there.
Head Coaches do not hang around but so long if they do not produce.
Bud should consider that very carefully before leaving. If he goes
I wish him the best of luck and thank him for what he has done for
VT football and the Commonwealth.
VT had a team, complete with a defense before he came, and they will
field a team with a defense after he is gone.
Hmmm: “VT had a team, complete with a defense before he came, and they will field a team with a defense after he is gone.” Quick, name the DC before Bud? I can’t. Of course we had a D before Bud, but it wasn’t a D that finished in the Top 10 every year, or scored TDs on a regular basis, or who ensured we were on the plus side of turnovers. I for one cannot be as nonchalant as James re Bud’s departure.
What I have to say is going to irritate a bunch of you good folks out there, but it is really just to spur conversation. Frank Beamer and Bud Foster are great guys, good for Tech and all of SW Virginia.
Frank should be allowed to stick around until he is ready for relaxing fall weekends. Bud should be allowed as well, and he should persue whatever he thinks is in his best interest, but he should never be made head coach at VA Tech.
Tech has reached their high water level under the Beamer coaching regieme.
Foster’s defensive scheme is and has been succesful to the level of Tech’s achievments.
Their inability to handle GA Tech’s half time simple adjustments is the latest example of a defensive coaching deficeincy. Tech needs the same thing Notre Dame needs to reach the next echelon of big time football.
Bud Foster allows his’big time players’ to play for themselves mainly and for Tech when they feel like it. You cannot be one of the boys, you have got to be the coach. With good players it is easier to stop things from happening than it is to make things happen. Against the talent in the ACC, Tech will be fine, but the door will never be opened to the next level under the Beamer coaching regieme.
Tech is in the era under Beamer of ‘we’re doing pretty good for country boy,s, making millions and winning ACC Championships. And I would say, how can you argue with that, more power to em and God Bless You! Frank has brought the program a long way but they have reached their high water mark until He and Bud are both on the couch watching the Hokies play at the next level.
I will sign off with this for real conversation and maybe a little redemption for Steinspring.
A.What type of offense do 95% of the ‘next level’ teams run?
B.Where do you think the ‘next level, literally’ offensive lineman will want to play college ball?
C.List in decending level of importance the attributes of a Quarterback
capable of potentially playing at the next level.For simplicity the attributes are Head Arm Legs Heart, you can assume him to be a leader with these in the right order.
My thoughts,put them in this order Head Arm Heart Legs. Legs are more important on halfbacks than quarterbacks. What are Tech’s priorities in this area?
Tech needs to decide if ACC Championships are going to be the highest level they aspire to. If so hire Bud Foster, hire anybody really. If they want to take it to the next level, they should decide that now, and begin to put a plan and head coaching candidates on their short list. I am not talking about next year or even the year after that necessarily. Those who get to the top generally plan on it, and expect it and do what is necessary to get there.
What do ya think?
Dan
Sorry Dan, While I agree Coach Beamer has earned the right to decide when to call it quits, I think you’re putting the cart before the horse. Coach Beamer will most likely coach a minimum of 6 or 7 more years. Planning a list of potential replacements would be a little premature. I also disagree with you QB attributes theory of Head, Arm, Heart and Legs in that order. We had that with Sean Glennon and while I was a fan of his, we did not have an offensive line that consistantly gave him time to pass the ball. He was very intelligent, had a strong arm and the heart of a winner but lacked the scrambling ability to avoid the rushes that came his way. I think Head, Heart, Legs and Arm are a good order. That to me comes up as Bryan Randall and I would take him any day.
Since 1963 I have suffered the short sighted opinions of Tech boosters and those easily influenced by their “all or nothing” ruminations. We now come full circle. There is a clique of these nay sayers that really believes that Frank and company are actually satisfied with the status quo. Have you not listened to the man? He, Bud, and yes Stiney are continually raisisng the bar for their young charges… not only on the field, but off of it as well. This latest group of student athletes has managed to fight to a 3 loss season while only losing those 3 games by a combined 17 points. And, they did it with the 8th toughest schedule in the country. If common sense was to ever reign supreme in football polls they would rank in the top 5 with these statistics.
As for the Stinespring bashing that continues to gain popularity, I am just amazed that he gets no measure of credit for what this young team has accomplished. The defense is aways good, to be sure, and usually great. But this year field position was never on our side, and the offense under coach Stinespring put the points on the board that were necessary to win 9 games and stay close in the other 3.
To this group of fakers who masquerade as true Hokie fans I can only remind you of a time not long ago when we would celebrate a 6-4 or even 5-5 season by hoisting the likes of Sonny Utz, Dick Cranwell, Kenny Barefoot, Dickie Longerbeam, George Fousekis, Frank Loria, Danny Cupp or Frank Beamer on our shoulders and party long into the night. We did this because coaches like Mosely and Claiborne never stopped raising the bar. We knew we might lose a few, but we also knew they would give it their all. We dealt with your parents and grandparents back then, as well…constantly screaming for someone’s head. And the loudest screams were usually heard from those who had never participated themselves. Coaches Beamer, Stinespring and Foster are a gift to you. Why don’t you just say thank you? Perhaps it is because you are unwilling or unable to raise your own bar of character. This game is supposed to be about building character and having fun for players and fans alike. For goodness sake, grow up!
I have been a Hokie since I can remember. I grew up here and I love my Hokies. Coach Beamer is the best and deserves to stay here as long as he wants. Coach Foster, well I would love to see him stay here forever too, but that’s not reality and he deserves the chance to be a head coach. I would love to see him become a great head coach and then return hear when Coach Beamer retires, which I hope is a very long time from now. But how wierd would it be to walk into Lane Stadium or any stadium for that matter and see Coach Foster on one side and Coach Beamer on the other, it would break my heart….
Good morning Oakie…..In answer to your question about who pre-dated Bud Foster, Phil Elmassian, secondary coach at Syracuse was hired by Frank Beamer as Defensive coordinator in 1992, if my memory serves correctly. He brought the 4-4 scheme that Syracuse never adopted, but had looked at adopting from Wahington. Hence, the name “Washington Scheme.” It appears that it is a simple four down four back defense, but is actually a disguised nickel, as the defensive ends are recruited for speed and can cover run or pass. Bud Foster took over in 1995, I believe, and made it an art form.
I am not interested in giving anyone unsolicited advice about hi/her personal life, but if I were Mr. Rooney, I’d be looking at Bud as a natural replacement for Dick LeBeau of the Steelers one of these days. He has the same toughness and remarkable ability to adapt. The Steelers had 3 key players out last week, and the defense made Baltimore beat them in overtime. At home, with an unseasoned QB. How many times have we seen Bud keep us in it right up until the end? Four or five years in the NFL spoiling the dreams of others and I’d bet we would be entertained by his brilliance as a head coach for many years. Just a thought. Of course, what I hope he does is stay right here.
Bob Fabian, Loved your post at 3:35 on 12/03. I have been a Hokie since the mid 60′s myself. You put into words my feelings exactly.
I think Stiney deserves a lot of credit for the offenses improvement this year. Those sho have been trashing him the last couple of years should be praising him now. If he had to take the blame for the failures, they should be mature enough to credit him with at least some of the successes.
Randy,
You do realize Marshall has been a “FBS” job since 1997, don’t you? Played in seven bowls, won six, since then? Just checking, as you state obviously Bud Foster wants an FBS job, there is one in Huntington.
Justafan…Remember the days when we might beat Houston and turn around and lose to VMI or Richmond? There was a peculiar kind of beauty to that frustration. It made truth of the old adage “It’s only a game.” But this is not to say I won’t be pulling for a 12-0 next year!
Yes Bob, I remember the good old days…and one of these days, the present will be the good old days. My first Tech game was 1964 at Victory Stadium, the old Harvest Bowl Game. They lost to the Wake Forest team lead by Brian Piccolo and John Makovic. Great memories.
But, back to the subject at hand. If Bud Foster gets a head coaching job, we will miss him but I hope he is very successful.
Thx Bob for filling us in on Phil Elmassian – I do remember that name now that you say it. Wonder where he is now? Think that just proves the point that our D before Bud was not as good, therefore we shouldn’t be so quick to assume it’ll be as good after he leaves. But understand I’m pretty much preaching to the choir here. And like you and Justafan, I too remember the old days, starting in the early 70s with Strock. That just proves another point – even w/ a very high-powered offense, you can’t win w/o a good D. I wish more of us remebered the old days, because those that have just come on board since 1993 know nothing but success. If they had suffered some of those seasons you and I recall, they wouldn’t be so quick to suggest Frank needs to move on so we can “get to the next level.”
I seem to remember we had a pretty decent defense when Elmassian was in B’burg. Seems to me while he was here the Rke Times ran an article on him about how he liked to move around from school to school. I found his bio. This year he was the DC at Illinois State. By my count it is the 16th different school he has coached, including serving as DC at Va. Tech, LSU, WVa, BC and La.-Monroe. He was also an asst. at UVa at one time. He must have U-Haul on speed dial.
Hey justafan, if Stiney is so good, why doesn`t anyone want him?
Robert, Check my entries, I never said Stiney was “so good”. I’m just saying he has taken the majority of the blame from fans when the offense doesn’t move the ball, but none of these people seem to give him any credit when the offense plays well. You must admit, the offense is much better this year than the past 3 years. The Hokies scored 30+ points in seven games this year and the 24 they scored on Alabama’s heralded defense was the most by any team this year….prior to today. He should be given some credit for that.
Jeffrey, you are stalking me!
Guys,,, Bud Foster , if he gets a head coaching job it will be in nothing more than a mid major size school. (See Ricky Bustle)..If he was such a hot prospect for a head coaching job he would have been head coach at Clemson or West Virginia. Bud Foster will be nothing more than Frank Beamers whipping boy while in Blacksburg. Maybe the Fighting Irish’s new head coach will lure him away for the DC job in South Bend. That would be a major improvement for him.
Yeah, pity the poor souls who don’t remember or weren’t around for the 60′s and 70′s. If you don’t think Frank has gotten us to the highest echelon and kept us there were not even paying attention this year. We lost the opener to the team that turned out to be the best in the nation by 10 points. We played them as well or better than anyone. We lost the other two by a total of 8 points. (that’s a total of 18 for you non-math majors) We beat Nebraska and pulverized Miami.
To those of you who pile on Coach Stinespring, and think of Coach Beamer as a relic I can only say that perhaps you would be happier rooting for someone else. Why not Notre Dame? They change coaches like they change shirts, and then pay millions to ex-coaches for not coaching. You would like them. Please buy some Irish apparel and wear it proudly.
Be careful what you wish for. I’d hate to see Frank and Bud across the field someday, and I’m pretty sure our punter would wet himself. We are not only a member of the elite, folks, we are hailed as such by people with names like Paterno, Bowden, and Carrol. Just a few years ago Coach Paterno stated that the two teams he would never want to play at their home were ECU and Virginia Tech. But, what does he know?
PS/ I was at the Harvest Bowl in ’64 also, Justafan. Was tht Schwieckert’s Sr. year? Pardon my spelling if I got it wrong. It was either ’63 or ’64 as I recall. In ’63 we went to Syracuse when they were a perenial power, and lost on a bad call. We had a tackle eligible play and the ref called back a touchdown that the Syracuse coaches all later said should have been ruled in our favor. No do overs back then, but that was what first gave me a hint of things to come. And, I would be less than fair if I didn’t say what a class act the Syracuse coaches were back then. I don’t remember who the next game was with, but at the pep rally that was held down on College ave. next to the library, Jerry Claiborne could have been elected Governor.
Bob, According to Hokiesports.com, that Wake Forest Game was on 09/26/64 at Victory Stadium and it was Bob Schweickert’s senior season at QB. He was voted 1st team All-American by the Football Writers Assoc. Wake won 38 – 21. The Harvest Bowl Games always included a parade and they would usually get a TV star as the grand marshall. For some reason I seem to remember that was the year James Drury, the star of “The Virginian” was the grand marshall. I remember seeing him at the stadium in his western outfit from the show, including his gun and holster.
The Syracuse game you mentioned was 11/14/64. The final score was 20-15.
Jerry Claiborne was a good coach and a nice man. I met him a couple of times when I was a kid and he always said the same thing, “Be a Hokie”.
SHOULD YOU THINK THAT THE HOKIES HAVE NOT COME A LONGGGGGGGGG WAY YOU SHOULD LOOK BACK TO I BELIEVE IT WAS 1960 WHEN DAVIDSON BEAT TECH IN BLACKSBURG WHEN TECH WAS A 41 POINT FAVORITE.
Yup, Justafan is right, it was James Drury and Scweickert was named All American. Prior to that Carrol Dale held the distinction and then played for Lombardi. Later came Fousekis and Loria as AM’s. Of course, Coach Loria went down on the Marshall plane in that terrible tragedy when he was on staff there. John is also right, Davidson, a national basketball power back then, couldn’t beat their way out of a paper bag on the football field, unless the bag was located in Blacksburg.
Coach Claiborne was a nice man. He was our neighbor and bourbon sipping buddy of my father, who was the Director of Development and Public Relations in the 60′s. Coincidentally, years later they both retired to Bowling Green, Kentucky. I have no proof, but would suspect the bourbon sipping may have continued from time to time.
Pardon me for rambling, but you guys jar so many memories. One of the funniest, though not at the time, was in 1971 or thereabouts. J.B. Barber was the premier running back in Don Strock’s backfield that year. We were playing nationally ranked Houston at home, and Coach Coffey kept calling Barber’s number when we got in their red zone. As I recall, ole J.B. fumbled 5 times inside the 10 yard line that day, and we lost all 5 fumbles. I’m pretty sure that game ended in a 27-27 tie. He’s the guy that deserted his wife and twins, and UVA later signed Tiki and Ronde. Go figure.
Bob, More memories – must have been 1972 season because I remember JB well(my frosh year). I don’t think JB was even the feature back – think he was the FB. But goodness did he like to cough it up, and you remember well – Coffey kept giving it to him to do so. Strock would put up all sorts of gaudy numbers and then not get the points thx to JB. And yes, final insult was to not be around to keep his twins out of C-ville.
Oakie, thanks with the memory help…at my ripe old age some of those years sort of melt together. And, you are probably right about the backs, too. I just remember J.B. for the obvious reason. The other Strock, Dave, was no slouch either. He had a great foot.
Foster does not seem to be getting real interest from anybody! This article was way off.
I remember attending the South Carolina game late in the ’72 season. Cold, windy day. Sat in the old wooden bleachers in the north end zone. Strock threw the ball all over the place and the Hokies beat the Gamecocks 45 – 20. Hated those white helmets with the orange State of Virginia on the sides. When they opened the new Burger King across from the upper quad, they used those helmets as lamp shades on the hanging lights.
Justafan: I was there too, however, I loved those helmets! Thought they were much cooler than the very old dark VT helmets, so much so I bought one last year after the throw-back game. And the new orange jerseys and the orange and white checkerboard end zone. All stuff Coffey brought with him from Tenn; but this was the 70s, and it fit! Motto was “Teamwork Orange.”
Bob: Dave Strock was great – saw him kick a 59 yarder at one of those games, and I think a 55 ydr as well in same game, but that is stretching the memory too thin.
Oakie, I thought Coffey came from Arkansas where he was under Frank Broyles? I know after he left B’burg he went to Arkansas and worked for a trucking company. Speaking of old coaches, anyone know where Jimmy (Dadgumit) Sharpe is today??? He put Roscoe Coles in jersey number 2 because he was Too-Too Fast.
Justafan: You are correct about where he came from but incorrect about where he went (BTW, he played at Tenn): “His next move was to the University of Arkansas where he coached for Frank Boyles. After five seasons at Arkansas, Coffey was hired as head football coach at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg.
During his time at Virginia Tech Coach Coffey installed a wide open offense and resulting in attendance at Tech games increasing to record numbers. After retiring from the coaching ranks Coffey entered the trucking business and founded the Nationwide Express Trucking Company in Shelbyville (TN).”
I remember “Too Too.” Took the ball from Phil Rogers at QB (may have played also when Bruce Arians QB’d the year after Strock (73 season). Phil Rogers was converted TB about as dangerous as Too Too – that was an option! Last I heard of Coach Sharpe was that he was a born-again Christian who had overcome his drinking problem (that got him fired from VT)- think he was living in FL panhandle, but my info is about 15 years old.
Oakie, Until your entry I had forgotten about Phil Rogers converting to QB. Wore number 40 if I’m not mistaken. Good runner. Arians turned into a good QB coach and offensive coordinator in college and the pros. Wish I had kept some of the programs from those days. Would like to look at the rosters. Time seems to erode the memory of some of the players but if I hear or read the name, it comes back to me.
Yup, Phantom Phil! What a runner. He came out of the storied and fabled Gate City program of the famous Coach Frye. Back then there were a few Div. II programs that even the Northern Virginia and Tidewater Div. III schools did not want to play; Gate City, Radford, Martinsville, and Southampton. Blacksburg, back when they were the Indians, won it all in ’77 or so, but other than that you could pretty much bet the farm on the other 4.
Regarding great backs, I don’t know if you remember Morris Blueford. He was a 4.3/40 kinda guy who was recruited and signed by Coach Coffey. He showed great promise, but Coach Sharpe sat him down for some unknown reason. But, every time he got in he was good for 15-20 yds.
Then there was the great Sidney Snell. Blacksburg born and bred. He and the Indians played in the Basketball state final game against Harrisonburg when he was a senior. He played a great game, but not quite great enough to contain their big man…. Ralph Sampson. At tech, and I’m surely waxing poetic, it seemed like he played every position at one time or another.
Years ago I played softball against Sidney Snell. He could pop it a long way. There have been some great players go thru B’burg, even during the lean years; Schweikert, Loria, Francisco, Richards, Strock, Coles, Brown, Penn, Razzano, Paige, Smith, Lawrence, Furrer, etc. etc. Could name them all day.
Hey guys – I think this means we’re old!
Carrol Dale, Kenny Barefoot, Kenny Oxendine………… you are so right, it goes on and on and on. And yes, we are getting old,,,, but that ain’t so bad.
Here’s one for you. Remember Bill McCubbin, Phd? He was the head of the Physical Education Dept, and had spent time coaching in Kentucky with The Bear, as did many Tech coaches of that era. He was responsible for creating a state of the art Phys. Ed. program and throwing great influence on the Intramural program which has always been strong.
Not old Oakie, we’ve just seen and experienced a lot in our short lives.