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BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football coach Justin Fuente announced Thursday the promotions of defensive coordinator Bud Foster to associate head coach and linebackers coach Galen Scott to assistant head coach.

“Bud Foster and Galen Scott will both be taking on additional leadership roles on our staff,” Fuente said. “I’ve appreciated Galen’s counsel and perspective for many years. It hasn’t taken me long to gain an even deeper respect for Bud and the pulse he has on Virginia Tech and our program. I trust both of them implicitly, and I will lean on them to help ensure we’re always heading in the right direction.”

Foster is no stranger to Virginia Tech, having come to Blacksburg with former head coach Frank Beamer in 1987 after playing for and working with Beamer at Murray State. He was the linebackers coach until 1995 when he became co-defensive coordinator. In 1996, he became the sole coordinator, and 10 years later, he won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach after being a finalist on three previous occasions. Under him, Tech’s defenses have recorded the most sacks (744) and interceptions (337) of any Power 5 team since 1996.

Scott worked at Memphis for the past six seasons, including four with Fuente. In 2011, he moved into the role of co-defensive coordinator, and this past season, he served as the Tigers defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in addition to being the team’s associate head coach. Despite losing eight starters, he helped the Tigers back to a bowl game for only the ninth time in school history.

In 2014, Scott mentored a unit which ranked 11th in the FBS in scoring defense, allowing 19.5 points per game. The Tigers ranked 27th nationally in total defense, giving up 349.5 yards an outing. Memphis’ 106.31 defensive pass efficiency rating led the American Athletic Conference and ranked eighth nationally while the Tigers’ 121.5 rushing defense average ranked 19th nationally.

The Orlando, Florida native, who played at Illinois State, worked with Fuente from 2001-06 when both served as part of Illinois State’s coaching staff. He served as the defensive coordinator his final two seasons at Illinois State (2006-07).

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