Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

Tigers set to meet Va. Tech’s Foster

The Hokies defensive coordinator has interest in the job after 22 seasons in Blacksburg

CLEMSON — In three tries, Tommy Bowden’s offenses never solved the riddle of Virginia Tech coordinator Bud Foster’s defense — and they usually looked lost in the process.

Clemson couldn’t beat him, so they might have him join them.

Foster is scheduled to interview with Tigers athletics director Terry Don Phillips today, a source said Thursday.

While original plans had the meeting occurring in Clemson, it is unclear whether that would still be the case once news of the interview surfaced.

Virginia Tech played at Miami on Thursday night, affording Foster the opportunity to talk with Phillips today.

Attempts to reach Foster’s agent, Bob Lattinville, for comment were unsuccessful. Foster typically does not speak to media after games and is first made available on Mondays.

Foster would become the third known candidate to meet with Phillips about the vacancy, which opened when Bowden preemptively resigned Oct. 13.

Phillips flew to Detroit to speak with fired Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin a week ago, then traveled to Oklahoma City on Wednesday to convene with Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

If he has not already, Phillips also is expected to interview Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, and indications persist that Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson will be granted a look.

But Foster, 49, is the only candidate who has openly expressed public interest in the job.

When his name was included among the initial list of possible Bowden replacements, Foster said: “I’d be ... stupid” not be interested. “Who wouldn’t be? ... That’d be one I’d be jumping through hoops to try to get.”

Two weeks later, he said of the Clemson position, “Without a doubt, if that was a school or a program that was interested in me, I’d be interested in them.”

Foster, in his 22rd season at Virginia Tech and 13th as coordinator, was reportedly Steve Spurrier’s first option to fill USC’s defensive coordinator opening last year. But he remained with the Hokies when his salary was boosted to match USC’s $350,000 offer.

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