2009 PSAC-WEST "COACH OF THE YEAR
Jay Foster, 54, an experienced coach and an outstanding leader of men, begins his ninth season at Clarion University in 2014. He was named Clarion’s 11th head coach on February 8, 2006.
Jay led the Golden Eagles to a 4-7 o verall record and a 2-5 mark in the PSAC-West in 2013. Jay also led Clarion to a 4-7 mark in 2012, a 3-8 record in 2011 and a 4-7 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the PSAC-West in 2010 against a nationally ranked schedule.
Foster also led the Golden Eagles in 2009 to an exciting 8-3 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the PSAC-Western Division. Clarion finished the season second in the PSAC-West and ranked 8th in the final NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Poll - just missing the NCAA Playoffs.
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Foster was named the 2009 PSAC-West "Coach of the Year" by a vote of the Western Division coaches.
Jay spent the first four years rebuilding the Golden Eagle football program with young, smart and talented players. Foster expects to continue to build the program and the team’s winning ways.
Foster came to Clarion from Slippery Rock University where he was a coach for 18 seasons, including the last 17 as an outstanding Defensive Coordinator or Co-Defensive Coordinator. Also the defensive backs coach, Foster is a strong recruiter, has a commitment to academics and was Recruiting Coordinator at Slippery Rock for 12 seasons (1988-2000).
A coach under Dr. George Mihalik at SRU, Jay was been part of every success during those 18-years. Slippery Rock was 120-73-4 (61.9%) since 1988 including 3 NCAA Division II Playoff invitations and 4 PSAC-West titles. Slippery Rock won four straight PSAC-West crowns (1997-2000), was an NCAA D-II semifinalist in 1998 and ranked second in the nation in 1999.
With Foster at the helm, Slippery Rock's defense ranked #1 in the PSAC against the pass his last two seasons and ranked #4 and #5 in total defense respectively. The 2002 squad was ranked #1 in scoring defense and #2 in total defense. In the PSAC-West championship years (1997-2000), Slippery Rock's defense under Foster was tops in the PSAC.
In 1997 Slippery Rock was 11-2 overall and 6-0 in the PSAC-West, while the defense was ranked #1 in the entire PSAC in rushing yards (96.2 y/g) and #3 in scoring defense (18.5ppg). In 1998 SR was 12-2 overall and 6-0 in the PSAC-West, while the defense was #1 in the PSAC in scoring defense (14.8ppg), #2 against the rush (84.4 y/g) and #1 in total defense (248.6). The 1999 squad was 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the PSAC-West with the defense ranking #1 in scoring (19.1ppg), #2 against the run (125.7) and #1 in total defense (282.3 y/g) in the PSAC. In 2000 SR was 8-3 overall and 5-1 in the PSAC-West. The defense finished #2 in scoring defense (17.2ppg) and #3 in total defense (296.2).
A native of Berwick, Maine, Jay attended Noble High School and graduated in 1977. He was captain of both the football and basketball teams.
Jay enrolled Plymouth State College (Plymouth, N.H.) and was graduated in 1985 with a B.S. Degree in Physical Education. A free safety on the gridiron at Plymouth State, he saw Plymouth compile and impressive 38-4 record overall record. A two-year starter (Jr & Sr), he was an All-New England Conference selection in 1983. The team was selected for the NCAA Division III Playoffs his senior year (1984). They were the first New England team to received a D-III Playoff bid.
Foster was a two-year G.A. at West Chester in 1986 & 87 under Danny Hale, where the Rams won 2 PSAC-East titles. Foster and wife Dorry have three children including sons Zach and Thom, along with a daughter Brogan.
"Becoming a head coach was a dream of mine and that dream came true at an outstanding university," said Foster. "Clarion has a proud tradition of academics, athletics and in football, and I am excited to be part of the Clarion team."
