Hokies' Coordinators Talk Future, Defense Prepares for Speed and Physicality of the Triple Option

Bud Foster's desire to be the next head coach at Virginia Tech is no mystery, but the longtime defensive coordinator says he has yet to discuss the opening with athletic director Whit Babcock.

"We'll see," said Foster of his future. "I haven't talked to anybody here. It's been pretty quiet. I don't know what's in store for me. I know this: we put a lot of time and effort into this program and I'm really proud of what we've accomplished here. What we've done here will be hard to duplicate. I don't care who it is. There was a stretch there that was as good as anybody in America. To do that consistently is gonna take a lot of hard work. You've gotta recruit your tail off and get those kinda guys back in here. But it can be done."

But even if Foster isn't roaming the sidelines of Lane Stadium next season, he'll look back on his time in Blacksburg with pride.

"If two Saturdays from now is my last game, I'll be very proud of what we accomplished here," said Foster. "But we'll see. I still wanna coach. I've got a lot of energy. But all we'll worry about is the task at hand. I can't worry about the future right now."

Loeffler on the Coaching Industry

Third-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler's future in Blacksburg is stamped with uncertainty, a feeling that the Hokies' play-caller has gotten used to over the years.

"It's part of the business. It's where the business is going," said Loeffler. "I got to stay at a place, my alma mater (Michigan), from 1993 all the way to 2007. Very similar to this situation. When I walked out of those doors, I knew it'd be different. And it was extremely different. It's the way the industry is. It's turned into the NFL. It's an industry now where you look where people have been, you see what they've done, and you jump on board and understand that, 'Heck, we can win with these guys (because) there was good coaches there. Pick up where they left.' That's where the industry's went a little bit."

And in modern college football, Loeffler understands that shelf lives of coaches are constantly shrinking.

"That's where this business has gone," said Loeffler. "You're gonna win or you're gonna move. Or you're gonna win and you'll get a better job. It's a crazy industry."

While he embraces this harsh reality, Loeffler empathizes with players that are too often forced to endure dramatic coaching staff shifts.

"I think the people that get left out on this whole thing is our players," said Loeffler. "A lot of these guys were recruited by us and they don't understand it. We get it. You get it. But our players don't understand it. That's the sad thing with where this whole thing is. It's the kids...I feel for some of those kids that you went in their houses and promised that you'd finish with them. Sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. It's misfortunate."

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Loeffler's job, he perked up at a question regarding the breakout season of Isaiah Ford.

"Awesome," said Loeffler of his star receiver. "It's gonna be really cool to watch him next year. Just like I said, kinda like the progression of where year 1, knew we'd be where we were at. Year 2, completely freshman running around. Year 3, we're better. Next year should be the year that this place should rock and roll with guys that are gonna be all juniors and seniors. Normally when you've got a junior and senior group, you rock and roll. I'm as excited as all get out for those guys."

Hokies Defense Prepares for Vaunted Triple Option Attack

With the annual Bud Foster versus Paul Johnson chess match just two days away, the Hokies have been preparing for the frantic triple option attack by practicing live against the scout team offense.

"We've been on the ground more this week just because of what we're getting ready for," said Hokies' defensive line coach Charley Wiles. "We're trying to tackle the fullback and trying to make sure that we're playing fast. So yeah, it's definitely been more live."

Freshman receiver Sean Daniel has worked as the scout team quarterback and has been charged with emulating Georgia Tech signal-caller Justin Thomas. While he may not be as dynamic as the prolific Thomas, Foster was pleased with the looks Daniel has provided.

"He's done a great job. That dude's quicker than a hiccup," Foster joked.

But regardless of what the defensive brain trust dreams up to prepare their unit, no practice reps can truly compare to a full-speed Georgia Tech offense.

"Golly, there's nothing like playing in this game," exclaimed Wiles. "The best thing we've got is some experience coming back. We've got guys who've played in this game. That's the one advantage. They're just so difficult to go simulate how physical and just how much of a fight it is. They sell that to their guys."

For those that haven't played the Yellow Jackets, Wiles says there will be a quick learning curve in the first quarter come Thursday evening.

"You're gonna be really shocked on just number one, how physical it is and then how fast it is," said Wiles.

Junior cornerback Chuck Clark has two years of experience squaring off against the Yellow Jacket's offense, and he noted that while the dramatic change of scheme can be challenging for younger players, it gets easier with time.

"For a freshman, it's a different change. It changes the pace especially," said Clark. "And like I said earlier, your key reads. The main thing you're reading out there is a lot different. Just coming out and facing that offense, it might be a different curveball for you that you've never seen. Over the years, me playing against it, it seems like it kinda gets easier."

Additional Quotes

Bud Foster

ON RECRUITING AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS VIRGINIA TECH CAREER:

"You had kids that number one, you had to be good enough. But you had kids that were good character, you had good tough kids. They were good football players. I think we might have took kids, we were recognized for developing our kids and how they played and those type of things. That goes back to Mike Gentry. That hasn't changed. Then our recruiting changed a little bit. Then you could attract a Kevin Jones, attract a DeAngelo Hall or a Mike Vick, but Mike was not the same guy that Kevin Jones was as far as the hoopla around him. But we were able to identify really good kids, good players, kids that football was extremely important to and had good football IQ's. There's still, that's a big part of it. You've gotta be able to play the game when it's all said and done. Now you've gotta be talented enough, you've gotta be big enough. We can't win with a 5'10", 225 pound offensive guard. But still, you've still got to find those kind of right guys, right chemistry."

ON IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A GOOD QUARTERBACK:

"Getting a guy under center makes a difference. When we've been really, really good, that guy's been a pretty good football player for us. He makes some things go. You look at every program in the country right now, the ones that are really rolling, they've got a pretty good QB. And we've got a good one. It's just unfortunate we got beat up there a little bit early. Michael had a great spring, a great summer, and a great camp and was looking forward to him leading our group."

ON GEORGIA TECH'S OPTION BEING AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE:

"In today's game, you're seeing so much, it's gun options. It's reading from four or five yards deep, where this is under center and they're right at the line of scrimmage. This is going back to back when we played a little bit. Things happen a little bit quicker. That's why we gotta practice the way that we do because if we don't, they'll march it right down the field. And even when we've been really, really good, sometimes that first drive, it takes you a little bit seeing how they're attacking us, what little wrinkles have they done a little bit. But getting caught up to the speed. You can practice it, but still, I don't care how hard you practice it, it's really hard to simulate that at times. I think our scout guys did a good job."

Charley Wiles

ON TRYING TO TAKE MORE THAN ONE OPTION RESPONSIBILITY:

"You've gotta go so fast...It's not like you're going 'half play this, half play that. You're a dive player. You're a quarterback player.' The only thing you can do out on the perimeter there a little bit is feather the quarterback if you're a pitch player to try to buy time for somebody coming inside-out that is your quarterback player. If you have the dive, it's happening real fast. They're up there close."

Scot Loeffler

ON THE GEORGIA TECH DEFENSE:

"Up-front, they're tough. They're tough and smart kids. Extremely tough. They have a few guys out on the defensive line which makes it a little bit more comforting, but they're a good football team. They're well-coached. Ted Roof, known him along time, he's a heck of a football coach. Puts their team in position and really plays to the strength which is their offense."

ON IF HE WAS CAUGHT OFF-GUARD BY COACH BEAMER'S RETIREMENT:

"I was. I was. It totally caught me off-guard to be quite honest with you. Normally I can anticipate things that are gonna occur. Caught us all off-guard I think. He went out the way that he wanted to go out. His terms. His deal. I'm excited for him to be quite honest with you. He's done unbelievable things here. He's the reason that this place can be criticized which is awesome. He's built it. He's made the expectations awesome. My hat's off to him. He's an awesome dude. Great person, great human being, and great football coach to work for. I'm blessed."

ON IF HE FEELS AN OBLIGATION TO SEND COACH BEAMER OUT ON TOP:

"I think so. I remember when Coach Carr went out, when Urban (Meyer) went out, you wanted to make sure that they left the way that it's supposed to be left. Yes, absolutely. These next three games, for that man, I think we all feel that obligation towards him. Football games, you've gotta win them. I get all that. It's why we work the crazy hours we work for five to six plays a game. But yeah, absolutely. Coach Beamer, you wanna see him go out exactly the way that he should go out. Is there added pressure? Yes. But I think that's just because of what type of guy he is. All the guys that I've worked for that decided to step down I felt that way with. Now that we're in this moment with the guy that built this place, yes, you feel that. Same obligation."

ON TRAVON MCMILLIAN GETTING 33 CARRIES AGAINST BOSTON COLLEGE:

"33 carries for a young guy, that's quite a load. 33 carries in a year from now, I don't think that's gonna be an issue. Obviously, whenever you have 33 carries, there's gonna be five or six or seven on tape that don't look as pretty as the other 25 or the other 23. To answer your question, he's a young guy that's really done a great job. We're gonna be smart with him. We're gonna obviously get him the football, but do you spell him a few times? Sure. But I'm really proud of that guy."

Chuck Clark

"We play a different, unique style type of offense this week so we have to come in and game plan a little bit differently. It's not your average game plan."

Greg Stroman

ON PLAYING BOTH RECEIVER AND CORNERBACK:

"I'm still practicing a little bit at both. Right now I'm playing nickel on defense."

"I'd say N.C. State, Miami, I was practicing with offense full-time. Then last week (Boston College week), I practiced with defense a little bit."