Fansided

Ranking the top ten defensive coaches in college football

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 18, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kirby Smart talks to linebacker Walker Jones (35) during the A-day game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kirby Smart talks to linebacker Walker Jones (35) during the A-day game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 12, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. The Hokies defeated Pitt 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. The Hokies defeated Pitt 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

One of the nation’s top defensive coaches is longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who took over the role in 1995 after nine seasons coaching linebackers and special teams.

During much of his time as VT’s DC, Foster relied on an aggressive 4-4 base defense that utilized a hybrid rover safety/linebacker, though with the rise of the spread offense, Foster has had to adapt his scheme.

Since 1999, Foster has led Virginia Tech to seven national top-ten finishes in terms of total defense (including a No. 1 ranked unit in both 2005 and 2006). The Hokies led the nation in pass defense in 2006 (128.2 yards per game), and scoring defense in 1999 and 2006 (10.5 and 11 points per game, respectively). He was named Defensive Coordinator of the Year by the AFCA in 2000, and has been one of the biggest reasons Virginia Tech has become one of the most consistent college football programs in the country.

Yet, Bud Foster nearly left Blacksburg for Texas A&M over the off-season. However, he instead signed an extension with the Hokies that makes him the most likely candidate to take over as head coach once Frank Beamer retires.

Overall, Virginia Tech ranked third in sacks in 2014 with 3.69 per game and fourth overall with 48. The Hokies were third nationally with 8.4 tackles for a loss per game. Foster’s unit got stingier in the red zone and ranked sixth nationally in red zone defense. The Hokies kept their opponents off the scoreboard 28.6% of the time they reach the 20-yard line.

Perhaps most impressive, Foster’s defense did something no one else could in 2014: stop Ohio State. The Hokies held the Buckeyes to 108 rushing yards (166 fewer than their 2014 average) on 40 carries in the 35-21 victory and did it by crowding the line of scrimmage, much like they did in the glory days of the late ’90s and early 2000s.

It’s a strategy Foster developed through countless hours of film study, which is common for the Hokies coordinator. There’s probably not a better-prepared coach in the business. According to a September 2014 article from Mark Giannotto in the Washington Post:

"The strategy is often hatched months in advance and based upon hours of film study. Before last week’s game at then-No. 8 Ohio State, he admitted to watching every Buckeyes game since Coach Urban Meyer arrived in Columbus ahead of the 2012 season. Last September, before Virginia Tech’s annual matchup with Georgia Tech, Foster said he thought he owned a copy of all 216 games Paul Johnson had coached to that point."

He’ll get another chance to square off with Urban Meyer and the defending national champions Monday September 6 in Lane Stadium.

Next: 4. John Chavis

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