University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Cajuns Introduce Hudspeth as New Coach
12/13/2010 4:00:00 PM | Football
Hudspeth's hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
In addition to finding success as a head coach, the 42-year old Louisville, Miss., native has learned from some of the most successful football coaches in the country. A 19-year coaching veteran, Hudspeth brings with him a national championship, four conference championships, eight post-season appearances and four Coach of the Year awards. In nine seasons as a head coach, Hudspeth totaled a 91-22 record.
"We were very fortunate to have many extremely qualified candidates express an interest in becoming the next Ragin' Cajuns head football coach," Walker stated. "Each one possessed qualities that we felt would benefit our program. Many are outstanding coaches and outstanding recruiters. All expressed a commitment to the academic success of their student-athletes and most were very involved in their community. Each candidate is an exceptional individual.
"Coach Hudspeth possesses all of these qualities and we are extremely excited that he will lead our football program."
Hudspeth spent the 2009-10 seasons at Mississippi State, where he helped turn around a football program that had only one winning season in a nine-year span. The Bulldogs finished 2010 with an 8-4 record, earning a Gator Bowl trip vs. Michigan.
Prior to his appointment at Mississippi State, Hudspeth spent seven seasons as the head coach at North Alabama, leading the Lions to a 66-21 record. UNA won a pair of Gulf South Conference championships, made five NCAA playoff appearances and boasted 15 All-Americans. Attendance increased 122% under Hudspeth and the team grade-point-average was raised a full point to 2.76 - the highest team GPA in school history. UNA was ranked for 54 weeks and ranked in the Top 10 for 38 consecutive weeks. Hudspeth's offense averaged over 35 points per game.
In 2008, Hudspeth led UNA to its fourth-consecutive 10-win season, posting a 12-2 record and a berth in the NCAA Division II semifinals. The Lions ranked sixth nationally, scoring 41.3 points per game. In 2007, Hudspeth led the Lions to a 10-2 record and reached the national quarterfinals.
In 2006, the Lions had an 11-1 record, won a GSC title and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs. Hudspeth was selected as the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year for the second time by his peers and was also the NCAA Division II Region 2 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.
In 2005, Hudspeth led a UNA squad that went 11-3 and reached the semifinals of the Division II playoffs for the second time in three years.
The Lions went 4-7 in Hudspeth's first season (2002), but posted a 13-1 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals in 2003. For his efforts, Hudspeth was named GSC Coach of the Year in just his second season as a collegiate head coach and was the Division II Region 2 Coach of the Year by the AFCA. He coached Will Hall, who won the Harlon Hill Trophy (DII Heisman Trophy).
Prior to his stint at North Alabama, Hudspeth served as the offensive coordinator at the United States Naval Academy in 2001. Hudspeth was the offensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach at Delta State University from 1999-2000. He helped lead the Statesmen to a NCAA Division II National Championship in 2000 and his offense broke 21 school records, 12 Gulf South Conference records and six NCAA Division II records that year.
Hudspeth served as the head coach at Winston Academy in Louisville, Miss., in 1996 and 1997. He led Winston Academy to a 25-1 record over two seasons including an undefeated record in the regular season.
In 1994-95, Hudspeth served as the wide receivers/tight ends coach and then the running backs coach at Nicholls State. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Central Arkansas from 1992-93, winning the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference in 1992.
Hudspeth was a four-year letterman at Delta State University from 1987-91. He was the starting safety in 1990 and led the team in interceptions. In 1991, he was the starting quarterback. Hudspeth earned his Bachelor of Arts in Health & Education from Delta State in 1992 and his Master's of Science in Secondary School Administration from Central Arkansas in 1993. Hudspeth was born on November 10, 1968. He is married to the former Tyla McConnell, and has two sons, Gunner and Major, and one daughter, Carley.
