FFODC: Bud Foster's Successor

It's been quite a while since I've posted here, so I'm sorry for the delay. I've been busy moving my site over to http://www.ffodc.com, and nobody wanted to help me with the futon. I have to give credit where credit is due, and HokieJayBee gave me the idea for this post by talking about things we've lost, and might lose as a program. This is crossposted from my site. Come for the wit, stay for the analysis and COMMENT!

For the past several years, Virginia Tech fans have been extremely concerned about the prospect of losing defensive coordinator Bud Foster to a head coaching job. Earlier today, the Washington Post broke news that Foster is interested in the University of Memphis vacancy (Tommy West was fired Monday). Like previous seasons, Hokie Nation has begun crafting doomsday scenarios that might or might not come into play. However, over these past few seasons that have seen Foster flirt with Clemson, NC State, Illinois and South Carolina, nobody seems to want to discuss what WILL happen when Foster leaves Blacksburg for good.

Keep in mind that Frank Beamer is 63 years young. Beamer has stated publicly that he has several years left before he wants to hang up the clipboard. Bud Foster is no spring chicken himself (he turned 50 in July), and the window of opportunity might be closing on the long-time Hokie great. Foster has long stated that he wants a Big Six, BCS conference job rather than being forced to build a mid-major into a power. Unfortunately, various athletic directors have chosen people with direct head coaching experience over Foster. This leads me to believe that Bud is reevaluating his stance, and considering any FBS situation that could be favorable. The guy has coached five consecutive top ten defenses (nationally), and in this “down year,” he’s managed to produce the 23rd best defense (on yardage) as well as the 21st scoring defense in the country. Not too shabby. Hokie fans need to come to terms that there will not be a succession plan for the four-time Broyles Award nominee, and that Bud’s days in Blacksburg are probably coming to a close.

However, we must have faith that Ol’ Bud doesn’t plan on leaving Beamer high-and-dry. There’s a good possibility that he might take an assistant or two with him to the school of his choosing, but I expect that he’ll do his best to leave the program in good hands after he’s gone. Beamer is notorious for being loyal to his current staff, and I believe that it’s highly unlikely that he will look outside the program to replace Foster. That being said, let’s take a look at the current staff and examine who the best candidate will be to succeed Bud as Virginia Tech’s defensive coordinator.

Jim Cavanaugh- Defensive Assistant, Whips and Rovers

Cavanaugh has been an assistant under Foster since the 1996 season, and is entering his eighth as Tech’s recruiting coordinator. Coach Cavanaugh has done a great job of both bringing in and developing talent for Frank Beamer’s program. He recruited the likes of Michael Vick, the Adibi brothers, Macho Harris, Bryan Randall and Chris Ellis among others. Along with the big names, he has worked with players with less notoriety and turned them into defensive mainstays for the Hokies. Aaron Rouse, James Anderson, Pierson Prioleau, Cam Martin and Cody Grimm all entered the program as question marks and developed into explosive, reliable players for Cavanaugh. In particular, Grimm has been developed into one of the most disruptive defenders in the last 20 years for the Hokies.

Pros: Considering that Cavanaugh coaches two positions that require high football IQ, he’s got a great knowledge of Foster’s system, and in particular, his blitzing schemes. He’s a proven motivator, and has gotten maximum efforts from his players over the years. If we’re looking for someone with significant experience and intelligence, Cavanaugh provides a great deal of both. He has been a part of ten conference championships, and has learned from some of the best in Lou Holtz, Bobby Ross, and now Frank Beamer.

Cons: We all know that a great recruiter does not necessarily transition into a great coordinator (Stinespring). Cavanaugh is the oldest member of Foster’s defensive staff, and it’s hard to say how long he’ll be willing to stay around. Virginia Tech’s program has been a picture of stability over the last fifteen seasons, and I believe Beamer will be looking for someone that expects to coach in Blacksburg for a long time.

Charley Wiles- Defensive Line Coach

Wiles has been on the Virginia Tech staff since 1996, and has been known for developing a crop of disruptive, yet undersized defensive linemen throughout his tenure. He can claim the likes of Corey Moore, Darryl Tapp, Chris Ellis, Orion Martin, and now Jason Worilds as his outstanding performers. Wiles units have been consistently strong, even without ideal size. His players are typically known for their work ethic and speed, which are both nurtured under his tutelage. He makes the most out of developing relatively small guys with big hearts and consistent motors.

Pros: Wiles has developed players to the tops of the college football world. His players have probably been most nationally-recognized during their careers IN college, but not necessarily in the NFL. Eighteen of Wiles' former defensive linemen have earned all-conference honors, and been named All-Americans five times. This is a direct result of playing with smaller players. However, Wiles also teaches his ends impeccable technique and timing, which are two very valuable assets to a defensive coach. He knows Foster's system inside and out, and isn't too old to stick around at Tech long after Foster leaves (he's 45). He also follows in the same mold as Foster, because he's a former player under Beamer, and was an All-American at the Division 1-AA level himself.

Cons: The likelihood of Wiles sticking around if Bud leaves is lower than a guy like Cavanaugh, mostly because he and Foster are close friends. There have been whispers that Wiles would leave Blacksburg with Foster and become his defensive coordinator. He's also a guy that has stayed in the same position for thirteen years. Is that extreme loyalty, or is there a reason nobody's tried to pluck him away?

Torrian Gray- Defensive Backs Coach

Gray is the greenest member of Foster's staff, serving in his fourth season in 2009. He is a former player under Foster, and was a standout at rover and free safety. While Gray has not accumulated as much experience as his fellow staff members, he's considered a rising star in the program, and has experience on the NFL level as well. He led one of the best defensive secondaries in the country in his two years at UConn, and coached for two years with the Chicago Bears, where he worked under Lovie Smith and with a group of the leagues most respected defensive minds.

Pros: As previously mentioned, Gray is considered a rising star in the coaching world. He's been largely successful in several programs, and he's transitioned smoothly from position-to-position. He's produced several high-caliber players in his first several years in Blacksburg, and helped make Brandon Flowers into an unstoppable force at the boundary corner position. Flowers has praised Gray for his enthusiasm and knowledge in making him one of the most successful corners in Virginia Tech history. His defensive backs are known for their ability to generate turnovers and their tenacity. He seems to be working his magic with another former "unknown" in Rock Carmichael. He earns the respect of his players quickly, and is more than willing to defend them in public forums.

Cons: Gray is only 35, and only has nine years of professional experience. He has never had to take on a lead role with a defensive staff (unlike Cavanaugh as recruiting coordinator, and Wiles as a co-defensive coordinator at Murray), and might be a little too inexperienced and fiery to carry out Beamer's plans to a 'T.' He's also been known as to cater a little too much to his players' egos, and hasn't been able to instill the best discipline in his DBs at times (e.g. Kam Chancellor). Most would argue that Gray would need to see an increased role in defensive playcalling or scheming before he's ready to step up as a coordinator.

Once you consider all of the options available within the program, it's easy to see that there are capable coaches that could take the reigns from Foster. However, I believe that Wiles will follow Bud to his new school, which leaves Gray and Cavanaugh. In that scenario, Beamer will probably keep Cavanaugh in his recruiter's role, and promote Gray, even though he has less experience. I would consider Cav to be the safe choice, but Gray to have greater potential. I think that Beamer and Foster see the promise with Gray, and it would be a big statement for the future of the program. If Gray is successful in taking over for Foster, he could keep the Hokie defense at a high level for years to come.

What do you think about the succession situation? Should we promote one of these three guys or look outside the program? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.