Foster ready to cap Hall of Fame coaching career at the helm of Chattanooga women's program
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2009, file photo, then-Ohio State women's basketball coach Jim Foster smiles as he answers questions during NCAA college basketball media day in Columbus, Ohio. Chattanooga has hired Foster on Thursday, May 9, 2013, as its women's basketball coach less than a month before he enters the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. The former St. Joseph's, Vanderbilt and Ohio State coach has a 783-307 record and ranks 11th in NCAA history in career wins. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam, File) (The Associated Press)
Chattanooga athletic director David Blackburn was initially surprised to discover he might have a chance to hire Jim Foster as his women's basketball coach.
It isn't very often a Hall of Fame coach with Final Four experience pursues a job at a mid-major program, even one that has reached nine NCAA tournaments over the last 13 seasons.
But Foster was indeed interested in the opportunity. Foster said Friday that he "more than wanted to jump at it."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Foster was introduced Friday as the successor to Wes Moore, who left for North Carolina State last month. He brings a 783-307 record and 35 years of head coaching experience to Chattanooga.
The 64-year-old Foster will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on June 8 at Knoxville, Tenn.