ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, September 6, 1996 TAG: 9609060025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
When Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Bill Foster informed Dave Braine last week that he was going to retire after the 1996-97 season, the Hokies' athletic director didn't have to look hard or far for a replacement.
The guy was sitting right down the hall in Jamerson Athletic Center.
In a move that surprised no one, Braine announced Thursday that Hokies assistant Bobby Hussey will take over as Tech's head coach when Foster steps down.
Hussey, who will be given a four-year contract, will assume the program's reins the day after Tech concludes the '96-97 season.
``I feel like I just won the lottery,'' said Hussey, a 55-year-old North Carolina native.
``At times, I really wondered if I'd ever get another chance at being a head coach. To get the job at Virginia Tech is special. This is the job I wanted.''
And it's the job Foster desperately wanted his longtime associate to have.
``I've said all along that Bobby was the right man when I decided to head for the hills,'' Foster said. ``He can move right over in my seat and keep things going without missing a beat, I think.''
Hussey has been in the college coaching game for 26 years. He spent his first 18 years as a head coach, compiling a 287-238 record in 10 years at Belmont Abbey (N.C.) College and eight years at Davidson College.
Hussey took Davidson to the NCAA Tournament in 1986, but resigned in 1989 when the school opted to exit the Southern Conference and go independent. Davidson since has rejoined the Southern Conference. Before joining Foster in 1991 in Blacksburg, Hussey spent two seasons as the top assistant at Clemson.
Braine, whose hiring of Foster triggered Tech's sudden turnaround in fortunes on the court, said no one else was considered for the post.
``I've always been sold on Bobby Hussey,'' Braine said. ``I was excited when Bill brought him on board five years ago. He is the right man for the future of Tech basketball.''
Braine thought so highly of Foster's right-hand man that he asked and received permission from the university to not conduct a coaching search, instead elevating Hussey directly.
Braine and Foster also noted that naming Hussey now will help in the continuity of the coaching transition, not to mention answer questions being asked by prospective recruits.
``Over the summer, as we got into recruiting, the question kept popping up about how long am I going to coach,'' Foster said. ``It was going to be tough for me to go into those in-home visits starting Monday and telling parents I'm going to be there four years with your son. I know there were other schools using that against us.''
While he was happy to introduce Hussey, Braine acknowledged it will be tough bidding goodbye to Foster, who in his five seasons has brought Tech basketball back to national prominence. The Hokies have won 66 games the past three seasons, winning the National Invitation Tournament in 1994-95 and earning an NCAA Tournament bid this year.
``In my heart,'' Braine said, ``I hoped today would never come. But I guess we all knew this day would eventually be here.
``We're going to miss Bill Foster. Not because he won 517 games, but because of the type person he is. He came here and restored a program and did it with dignity, class and integrity. He's a special person. College athletics need more people like Bill Foster.
Foster said it won't be easy walking away from his last college coaching job.
``You never know when it's the right time,'' Foster said, ``but I believe my time has come.
``I decided over the last week that it was best for me and the program to do it this way and do it now. There was a lot of speculation about how long I was going to coach and that uncertainty and indecision about me kind of hurts the program.''
Foster, who received a contract extension through the 1999-2000 season this past summer, said a recurring stomach disorder the past two seasons played only a small part in his decision.
``I feel good right now,'' said Foster, who turned 60 in April. ``I feel like I could go another year or two, but four more, I don't know.
``When you get 60, though, that problem that bothered you at 40 bothers you a little more. Whether it's a personal problem or a player problem or whatever. I felt like for me from an emotional health standpoint, it was time to get a few of those things off my plate.
``I can't get away from it. I wake up all the time at night thinking about players, games. I have a hard time walking away from the job.''
Foster applauded Braine for giving him a shot at Tech. After stints at Shorter College, UNC Charlotte, Clemson and Miami (Fla.), Foster left the bench and served as a television college basketball analyst for Raycom Sports.
``I was a lucky son of a gun to have a chance to get back into coaching, and I can thank Dave Braine for that,'' Foster said.
``We've had a great five years and accomplished more than anybody would ever have believed. I don't think anyone would have dreamed we'd get it turned around this fast.
``I might be leaving Blacksburg, but I'll still be keeping a close eye on the program. Nobody wants to see Bobby and the Hokies succeed more than I do.''
``To quote Bill Foster,'' Hussey said, ``if it ain't broke don't fix it. And I don't think the program is broke. I think everything is in good shape. We will continue on with the same philosophy. There's no reason to make a whole lot of change.
``Our goals will be fairly simple. Try to win games, win championships and make sure our players represent the university in a first-class fashion.''
LENGTH: Long : 108 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff Bobby Hussey, left, joins Virginiaby CNBTech basketball coach Bill Foster at the podium Thursday in
Blacksburg. Hussey will be promoted from his assistant coach's
position when Foster retires after the 1996-97 season. color.