Update: He's Staying Put as Expected
-- Foster staying put - Richmond Times Dispatch
-- Fostering staying at VPI - ABH
-- 5 year deal for Bud - Hampton Roads Pilot
-- This Bud's not for UGA - AJC
Original Article:
This morning on 680theFan Jim Donnan said that he knew for a fact that Mark Richt had talked with Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster about the DC job in Athens. This news was then confirmed by the Daily Press of Virginia and the Athens Banner-Herald.
In terms of his stature as a defensive coordinator, Foster is Bill Brasky. He's 10 feet tall, weighs 500 lbs, runs about a 3.2 40 yard dash, and no one has scored on his defense in about 23 years. Or said differently...I don't have the time to pull his impressive stats right now, but they are outstanding.
But he's arguably the best, most proven and most consistent defensive coordinator in all of college football over the past decade, and I'd be shocked out of my chair to land a whale like that.
He's everything I'd ever want in a DC. He's tough as nails and extremely demanding. His teams bring a level of violence, tackling and tempo that we haven't consistently seen in Athens since 2004.
Think back to the 2006 Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. Virginia Tech. They didn't lose that game because of Bud Foster's defense. They lost because VT committed 4 turnovers including three second half interceptions...two of which were returned inside the Georgia 10 yard line resulting in 14 points off 9 yards of offense. They also lost because Beamer Ball gave up the onside kick early on. Foster's Defense only allowed 200 yards of total offense. For the 2006 regular season, they only allowed a stunning 9.3 points per game.
Virginia Tech hasn't won more games under Beamer and Foster for 1 reason and 1 reason only...a complete inability for Beamer to develop a consistent passing offense. That's it. It's not because of anything Foster is doing on his side of the ball.
I'll post his defensive stats later, but I'll say this first...I'd really like to have Kirby Smart, but I would love to have Bud Foster. There's not another candidate (including Brian Van Gorder or Tommy Tuberville) you could name that would be more appealing to me...short of a DNA-oriented reproduction of Erk Russell...and that technology won't quite be ready for the start of football season (Source: I watched 60 Minutes last night, and I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express).
I don't think we'll end up with either of them. But damn, I'd be thrilled.
If we do get Foster, I don't think he would start until after the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Foster is a legitimate candidate to replace Beamer at VT in 3-7 years. He likely wouldn't burn a bridge there by walking out prior to the Bowl game.
If we don't have a press conference on Tuesday to name someone else, I like our chances a little more with Foster or Kirby. Tomorrow is Day 1 after the Job Posting from which Richt can announce a hire per state guidelines.
PWD
30 comments:
Sounds like you're feeling about like me about this story. I'm straight up giddy about the prospect of landing Foster. I have this picture in my imagination of the rest of the SEC shaking in their boots/jorts at the announcement of Bud Foster as the DC at UGA. My god. What a hire it would be. The swagger would definitely make a comeback in Athens.
Might be a longshot, but at the very least, it tells you we're shooting for the moon, right?
A real longshot, but this would be AWESOME!
That would be an unbelievable best case scenario full of WIN.
If Richt pulls this out of his hat, then I'll eat said hat if he's willing to part with it, which he's likely not because it apparently holds miracles.
Any reason why he would want to come here other than a ton of money? Just didn't know if there was any sort of connection.
Tony Ball (our WR coach) worked with him for 3 years so he can vouch for life under CMR.
That's all I know of.
His oldest is 21 years old...so it's not like he has kids in HS or anything that would keep him in Blacksburg.
I just can't see us catching a break this huge. But gosh. I'd be thrilled!
No way this comes to fruition.
He's using it to get a nice fat raise.
Have a feeling Bud may just be looking for a pay raise at VT. But have fingers crossed for sure.
I think we're very fortuitous with our timing here, as I suspect Foster (perhaps) is in a state of drift at VT and simply needs a change of scenery, so to speak. In other words, IMO our chances of getting him are higher than you might think.
My main worry is if UF or ND comes calling too...
I just read this news as I did my late afternoon peruse of EDSBS... It's very exciting, for sure, but I wonder if this isn't just Mike Anderson all over again?
I can see why B-M is on lock-down where this is concerned because now that BF's name is out there, if it ends up not being him or Kirby or Ellis Johnson, and it is a non-DC assistant, the negativity left over from the '09 season just rolls on... I'm not interested in the vibe not making a turn for the better.
Afterall, Foster could have been contacted about a recommendation for the position for all we know.
I'm going to try and not get excited about anything until Coach Richt is introducing our new DC at the press conference.
Smitty,
For one, the SEC is the best conference in the country with a virtual HC job insight, especially if he can take our defense and win a SEC Championship or two.
With that type of accolades already added to his impressive resume, he would be primed for several very lucrative HC postions.
-Massey
Blacksburg has a beautiful campus and that's about it. Athens = Awesome. So that would help too.
I'd be shocked if he answered the phone for any other reason than to get another raise. BUT, I'm very encouraged that we would obviously set the bar this high, in terms of a quality DC and in terms of potential salary negotiations.
Or those are my thoughts at least...hahahaha
But I agree with all of you. This would be a MONSTER hire...MONSTER...
Hopefully landing him will keep Curran and/or Jones here one more year, knowing they will have a relevant D again...
Does our DC only get a one-year contract? Why leave anywhere for that?
I now know what I want for Christmas and will be contacting Santa directly about this. Think big, you Mark Richt, you!
The only hire which would be more impressive than bud foster would be Monte Kiffin.
This would be a great move for Foster to enhance his resume and expertise/experience for eventual HC job at VT.
Well, so much for that hype. About 5 min ago Bud Foster squashed all the rumors. Hes staying in Blacksburg. Dangit!
He is staying at VA Tech. Check out AJC.com
he's not coming...per ajc.com
Already decided to stay. Oh well, it was worth a shot.
Not happening. Check out Hale's blog for a link to a Washington Post story indicating Foster just signed an extension. www.ugadogsblog.blogspot.com. The article does say he was contacted by UF, FSU, but "Georgia made the most serious overture."
Hey, at least it shows CMR and Damon are committed to aiming big.
The WAPO says Bud is staying at VT. He signed a new contract extension. :-(
Not happening. He already got a raise from VT.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/hokies-journal/2009/12/foster_staying_at_va_tech.html
Bud Foster re-ups with VT, per ajc.com
Not to kick the new toy out of anyones hand, but Rivals and David Hale are both reporting the Ole Bud is a no go. Here's to a nice little dream while it lasted!
Whether we end up getting him or not -- and at the moment it looks like "not" -- I'm still really excited that Richt had the balls to reach out to Foster in the first place. Foster is a hugely respected name who has long-standing ties with VT and with Beamer specifically, but I like the fact that we said to hell with all that, let's take a chance and give a call to one of the best guys in the business.
It shows that Richt definitely isn't thinking small potatoes with this search, and that Damon Evans is prepared to open up the pocketbook for a proven name. We won't get Beamer, but a search as aggressive as this one will get results in time.
AJC says that Foster got a raise at VT and is staying.
http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2009/12/14/after-call-from-georgia-foster-gets-new-deal-at-virginia-tech/
According to this article at The Washington Post, Foster is staying a Virginia Tech. I would guess Foster would rather go from DC to HC rather than make a lateral move.
I think this is one case where a rejection doesn't hurt; in fact, Richt and Evans have set an unexpectedly high precedent. Hopefully this leads to more serious interest from some at a high level because they know Evans is serious about the moolah and Rich is serious about the quality of the coach.
Thought I was reading a Notre Dame blog for a minute or two--all the names being tossed around that were utterly silly (Tony Dungy).
Post a Comment