Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Aaron Foster was hired as the Defensive Backs Coach in January 2020 after serving on the staff at Colgate University and was promoted to the role of Co-Defensive Coordinator following the 2021 season. 

In his first year with the Bears, Foster's secondary allowed just four touchdown passes all season long. Opposing quarterbacks posted a passing efficiency of 95.32, which was the fifth-best mark among all NCAA Division II defenses. Thanks in part to the secondary, opposing offenses converted just 27.9 percent of third downs, the eighth-best number in all of Division II. Senior safety Eric Jackson would become the team's Ronnie Lott Heavy Hitter of the Year recipient for the third time in program history under Foster and CB C'Darius Kelley made huge strides in his first full season in the secondary after being converted from QB. Jackson would also go on to be named First Team All-Conference following the season, one of a program record 16 All-Conference selections in 2022. LR picked off 15 passes in 2022, led by Jimmie Palmer III's four INTs and LR would turn two of those 15 INTs into pick-sixes. 

Foster worked his way up the ladder at Colgate, starting as the video coordinator and a volunteer assistant in the secondary in April 2017. In May of 2018, Foster would earn a promotion to the position of Assistant Football Coach in charge of safeties. 

In his first season, Colgate led the Patriot League and ranked seventh nationally with 16 interceptions.  It marked Colgate's highest number of interceptions since 2005. In addition, the defense held opponents to 17.5 points per game -- lowest program average since 1981. The Raider defense did not allow touchdown over season's final 15 quarters.
 
Foster arrived after two seasons at Wake Forest, where he served as a recruiting assistant under Demon Deacons head coach Dave Clawson. Foster played his football at Bowling Green, also under Clawson, and helped the Falcons win the 2013 Mid-American Conference title.

Foster played defensive back at Bowling Green, with starts in all four seasons. He started 14 games as a senior when the Falcons went 10-4 and won the MAC title over Northern Illinois. After his collegiate career ended, Foster earned an invite to the Dallas Cowboys rookie camp and then spent time with the Tri Cities Fever of the Indoor Football League.