Football: Nevada’s Hudson relishes trip back ‘home’

Kevin Foote, The Advertiser, December 16, 2014

 

Nevada offensive line coach Ron Hudson is looking forward to returning to Louisiana, where he was an assistant coach for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 2005-2010. (Photo: Tim Dunne/Reno Gazette Journal)

 

 

Nevada offensive line Ron Hudson is like so many other assistant coaches in the world of college football.

Home is where his paycheck happens to be.

Some coaches are fortunate enough to stay with one program for a long period of time. Others are more like nomads, roaming from city to city at different places around the country.

In all, Nevada is the 13th program that Hudson’s been a part of during his fascinating journey that began at Illinois State back in 1993.

The four-year starter at center at Muskingum College in Ohio has coached at everywhere from South Carolina to Massachusetts to Texas to Missouri to New Mexico.

None of his stops, though, were longer than two seasons – other than the six years he spent with the UL Ragin’ Cajuns in the heart of Acadiana.

"Lafayette was like home to us," Hudson said. "We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Lafayette. We still have so many close friends from there.

"South Louisiana has been very good to me and my family. We have so many fond memories from our time down there. There are so many people that we can’t wait to see again."

In fact, Hudson’s daughter Mackenzie is a student at UL in the nursing program.

"We still have that (direct) tie to Lafayette," said Hudson, whose wife Melissa and sons Spencer and David are also veterans of Lafayette.

Hudson served as assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Cajuns from 2005-10. During that time, the Cajuns had one of the nation’s most productive rushing offenses, led by the likes of the school’s all-time leading rusher Tyrell Fenroy, punishing quarterback Michael Desormeaux and speedy Jason Chery.

Twice UL was top 15 nationally in rushing yards and twice top 10 during Hudson’s stay.

"We had some very talented players while I was there and some very good teams," Hudson said. "From day one, you just knew that he (Desormeaux) was going to be successful, because of his attitude.

"I understand he’s coaching down there now and having success. That’s not a surprise. We had so many kids on those teams that we were proud to have in our program."

Hudson revealed that the 2008 season remains a sensitive subject to him "when Florida Atlantic went to the Detroit Bowl even though they finished behind us."

As tough as leaving Lafayette was, Hudson had long become used to starting over. Being the son in a military family, he never lived in one town for more than four years growing up.

"There are coaches still on that staff who are some of my closest friends," Hudson said. "I’ve certainly followed the program since leaving and have been proud of their success.

"I still know some of the players on this year’s team, like the Quave brothers. I know them well."

It didn’t take very much time for Hudson to notice the similarities between the two teams.

Both have big, physical quarterbacks who can hurt defenses with their arm or their legs. Both are strong up front. Both have multiple threats at running back.

"This (UL team) is fun to watch," Hudson said. "I think it’s going to be a fun matchup. It’s going to be two coaching staffs and two football teams fighting their tails off. It should be a great game."

So while so many of his coaching colleagues and players will be experiencing new things all week long in the Big Easy, for Hudson and his family, it’s going to be more about reconnecting with old friends.

"My family is extremely excited about this matchup," Hudson said. "The funny thing is they’re probably more excited about the tailgating than the game itself."