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Football: Passing the torchJoshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • December 14, 2010 (Photos by Leslie Westbrook/lwestbrook@theadvertise) Scott Farmer showed his excitement Monday after the press conference to introduce Mark Hudspeth as UL’s new head football coach.
"We found somebody that is dynamic and energetic," said Farmer, UL’s senior associate athletic director. "He’s going to hit the ground running. You can talk to him for 10 minutes and feel his energy." Hudspeth is going to need all the energy he can get. In taking over the Ragin’ Cajuns program, Hudspeth has a lot that must be done in the upcoming weeks. The ex-Mississippi State receivers coach/passing game coordinator admitted to already feeling behind — and the clock is ticking. The two biggest tasks at hand involve his coaches and recruiting. Hudspeth will also be promoting the program whenever possible and evaluating his returning players for next season. He’s also asked for more from the fan base and former Cajun players to get involved with their alma mater. That’s a start, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. "We have to fill out our coaching staff and as we complete that we’ve got to hit the ground running in recruiting," Hudspeth said. "Being this far behind, we have to make up a lot of ground." Hudspeth met with the current coaching staff members, whose appointment letters run through Jan. 31, on Monday afternoon between multiple media interviews. He confirmed a report Sunday from The Daily Advertiser that Jacksonville State defensive coordinator Greg Stewart, Mississippi State graduate assistant Marquese Lovings and Clemson director of player development Reed Stringer would join his coaching staff. Stewart will be the defensive coordinator. Lovings is expected to coach the defensive line. Stringer will serve as the recruiting coordinator. Hudspeth added that he has a couple of new coaches "that are in bowl games that I can’t release until their bowl games are completed." "When you put a staff together, you want to make sure you do it right the first time," Hudspeth said. "It’s a process, and I want to take my time. I’ve already made a few decisions." When it comes to recruiting, Hudspeth has an established presence in the South — especially in Mississippi. He wants to recruit Louisiana first and then branch out to Mississippi, Texas and the Florida panhandle.
The NCAA’s midyear junior college signing period starts Wednesday and runs through Jan. 15. National Signing Day for prep recruits is Feb. 2. "There’s no secret that signing day is right around the corner," Hudspeth said. "We’re behind in recruiting, and we’re going to make it up really fast. We already have some assistant coaches in the office right now accumulating names and putting together a recruiting plan for this week before the dead period starts. "Then we’ll have five weeks once we come back from Christmas break to really hit it hard and catch up." Hudspeth previously coached in Louisiana, so he knows about the football talent in this state. His first full-time assistant job was at Nicholls State from 1994-95. "It’s unlimited potential," Hudspeth said. "This is an unbelievable state with unbelievable high school talent. We’re going to put a fence around this state. And we’re going to keep them at home right here. And we’re going to build a program with Louisiana high school football players." Given the timing of his hiring — the week after final exams for the fall semester — Hudspeth will be unable to have a team meeting in the near future with his players back home until January. Instead he will be calling his players over the upcoming weeks to introduce himself and start making new connections. Hudspeth has warned his players to be prepared for a tough offseason when they return to campus. "Our football players have no idea what’s in store for them," Hudspeth said. "We’re fixing to hit the ground running with the best and the hardest offseason they’ve ever been a part of. We’re going to have early morning workouts. "When it’s cold, they’re going to be preparing to bring a winner to the University of Louisiana."
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