Duke RB coach Chris Foster being targeted by Gators
Running backs coach Chris Foster of Duke is a target of Florida head coach Jon Sumrall, Gators Online has learned.
Foster joined the Blue Devils program in 2025. He came to Duke after a two-year stint (2023-24) at Northwestern.
Foster has guided freshman running back Nate Sheppard to nearly a 1,000-yard season in 2025. He ranks second in the ACC in rushing this year with 962 yards and 10 touchdowns on 178 carries (5.4 YPC).
Foster came there from East Carolina (2021-22), where he coached Keaton Mitchell. In 2022, he ranked second in the country with 7.2 yards per carry and rushed for 1,452 yards (12th nationally).
In his initial season with Foster, Mitchell became the first East Carolina running back to average more than 100 yards per game since NFL All-Pro Chris Johnson in 2007. Mitchell ranked ninth in the nation with his 6.5 yards per carry average in 2021.
Prior to his time at East Carolina, Foster spent five years as the running backs coach, recruiting coordinator and associate head coach at Georgia Southern (2016-20), where he mentored future NFL running back Matt Breida.
In his final season at Georgia Southern, Foster’s running back room ranked No. 6 in the country with 267.1 rushing yards per game and combined for 2,427 yards and 17 touchdowns. Foster was a nominee for the 2020 Broyles Award.
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Foster has also coached running backs at Maryville (2015), Appalachian State (2012-14) and Gardner-Webb (2004-11).
The Chris Foster File
Hometown: Chesnee, S.C.
Education: Gardner-Webb, 2004 (Physical Education)
Wife: Jennifer
Children: Journei and Bella
Birthday: August 25, 1982
FOSTER’S COACHING CAREER
- 2025 – Duke (Running Backs)
- 2023-24 – Northwestern University (Running Backs)
- 2021-22 – East Carolina (Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator)
- 2019-20 – Georgia Southern (Associate Head Coach/Running Backs/ Recruiting Coordinator)
- 2018 – Georgia Southern (Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator)
- 2016-17 – Georgia Southern (Running Backs)
- 2015 – Maryville (Running Backs)
- 2012-14 – Appalachian State (Running Backs)
- 2004-11 – Gardner-Webb (Running Backs)
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