By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Foster honored for contributions to DCHS basketball
Foster Banner Jersey
Steve Warner photo Honoring former player and coach Jerry Red Foster during halftime Friday with a new banner for the gymnasium. Pictured are, from left, coach Linus Martin, team mate Danny Foutch, Kevin James, coach Foster, coach Harold Luna and Rick Usrey.

DeKalb County High School honored former DCHS Tiger player and Lady Tiger Head Coach Jerry “Red” Foster during halftime at Friday night’s match-up with Cannon County.

Foster began his basketball career at College Street Junior High under the late Elzie McBride and later at DeKalb County High School under Coach Harold Luna, who was present Friday. He starred as a member of the Tiger basketball team from 1972-1976 and during his time at DCHS was part of over 80 wins. He was named All-District, All-Region, Upper Cumberland MVP, first Team All-State and was named the class AA Player of the Year in 1976. He was also selected to play in the East/West All Star game that same year.

After leaving DCHS, Foster went on to star at Bethel University in McKenzie as a member of the Bethel University basketball team from 1976-1980, scoring 1,879 points and grabbing 1,440 rebounds, earning first Team All-Conference in both his junior and senior years as well as being named an NAIA All American after his senior year.

Foster was then selected in the fourth round of the 1980 NBA draft by the New York Knicks and later signed a professional contract in the European League. After two professional seasons in South America he decided to end his basketball career.

After his playing days, he stayed in the game of basketball because of his love of coaching. He returned to DCHS as a freshman boys’ coach from 1983-1989, compiling a 92-22 record. He then moved to Jackson County High School as head boys’ coach from 1989-1993, compiling a 101-87 record in four seasons before returning to DCHS to direct the Lady Tiger basketball program. He was at the helm of the Lady Tiger program for seven years from 1993-2000 with his teams recording a 93-85 record.

After leaving the coaching ranks, he continued to teach physical education at Northside Elementary School and continues to teach the game of basketball to the youth of DeKalb County through the after- school
program.

A banner in honor of retiring coach Foster’s DCHS number 32 was presented and will be hung in the gymnasium and on hand were teammates Danny Foutch and Kevin James, along with former Coach Harold Luna.

The three also have a banner honoring their accomplishments in DeKalb County.