Syracuse Football: A 5 question sit down with the enemy

Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster reacts in the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster reacts in the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Paul Esden Jr: Bud Foster has seen everything in his 30+ years of coaching experience. To stick around this long, you have to be good. How has Foster been able to remain relevant and with that keep his defenses consistently good over the years?

"CC: He’s managed to stay a step ahead of everyone else from an X’s and O’s standpoint.  In the summer of 2004, he transitioned from an 8-man front style of defense to a more traditional 4-3-4 alignment.  This new alignment really helped the Hokies in pass coverage, as their defensive backs were starting to get beat deep in man-coverage in the old 8-man front scheme. Since then, he’s successfully transitioned the Hokies to their current 4-2-5 look to combat the spread offenses that are prevalent throughout college football these days.  He’s also one of the best coaches in the country at making in-game adjustments.  If you manage to outcoach Bud Foster, then you need to ask for a raise, because it rarely happens. Foster also understands coverages.  He does a great job of disguising coverages in the secondary, using robber coverages and inverted Cover-2 looks to confuse quarterbacks.  He likes to blitz, but he’ll also use his defensive ends and even his defensive tackles in pass coverage."

Next: 2. How can the Hokies maintain their focus with the all the attention