New Soccer Coach

[Treadway21]

I received an email from Kevin Hudson sent to the soccer alumni. He has been named the coach of SMU Soccer, and says there will be a press release tomorrow. The email just thanks SMU, the athletic administration, and Schellas, as well as saying how excited he is to have this opportunity.

Unbelievable - I am crazy and out of the loop: I had no idea Tim McClements had left. Anyone heard details?

Good luck to Kevin. SMU Mens Soccer has a great history and is an important part of the university and its athletic department. Let's hope we return to national glory in short order.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Wow!

[redpony]

Any info on this guy? I tried to google him but got no real results other than a high school coach in Oh.
What is his connection with SH?

[PonyPride]

Any info on this guy? I tried to google him but got no real results other than a high school coach in Oh.
What is his connection with SH?

Info about Kevin Hudson?

Yeah:
http://www.smumustangs.com/sports/m-soc ... 17510.html

Kevin Hudson never coached high school in Ohio. Maybe you found someone else with the same name?

Hudson played four years (66 starts in 84 games) under Schellas Hyndman at SMU — terrific player — and was originally hired by Hyndman as an SMU assistant. If I remember right, Hudson was a sophomore when Hyndman said Hudson was "the smartest player on the field in just about every game" (or something along those lines). North Carolina actually tried to hire him away last summer (http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml ... =209515538) before he had a change of heart and stayed at his alma mater. As an assistant coach at SMU, Hudson has been heavily involved with recruiting, academics, scouting opponents, game plans, etc., as is normal for an assistant and associate head coach.

[redpony]

thanks for the info.

[horsemanx]

If this is true, which I assume it is based on the source, SMU is in great hands with Hudson.

[mustangbill67]

Wonderful news. Hopefully Kevin can get this program back into national prominence.

[Digetydog]

We should have hired Sir Alex to right the ship.

[PonyPride]

It's official.

From SMUMustangs.com:

Kevin Hudson Promoted To Head Coach

Jan. 9, 2015

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU Director of Athletics Rick Hart announced today that he is making a change in the leadership of the Mustang men's soccer program. Tim McClements, whose contract was set to expire in May, will not return, and SMU alumnus Kevin Hudson has been named head coach, effective immediately.

"We appreciate Tim's commitment to our student-athletes. He positively impacted our program on and off the field during his time on the Hilltop." said Hart. "I have never doubted his desire to win, but feel it is time for a change in leadership. We are grateful for Tim's contributions to SMU men's soccer and wish him the best."

McClements went 68-46-16 in his eight seasons on the Hilltop.

"Since returning to his alma mater in 2007, Kevin has demonstrated his ability to effectively manage critical elements of our men's soccer program. He is ready to assume the role of head coach and will build upon the progress made under Coach McClements. As a former SMU Academic All-American and member of the 2000 College Cup team, Kevin believes we can reestablish SMU as a top program in the country and has a plan to return our program to national prominence."

Hudson, who graduated from SMU in 2004, has spent the last eight seasons on the SMU coaching staff, serving as associate head coach in 2014. During Hudson's eight years on the Hilltop, the Mustangs have reached the NCAA Tournament on four occasions, advancing as far as the Elite Eight in 2010. In 2010 and 2012, SMU earned the Conference USA regular season title, and in 2011 the squad won the tournament championship.

"I am humbled and honored to be named Head Coach of the SMU Men's Soccer Team," said Hudson. "As I told the team, this is the most significant day in my professional career, but this is not about me. This is about SMU Soccer - the history, the tradition and, most importantly, the student-athletes. I'm excited for the opportunity to lead this program that I am deeply passionate about. I knew SMU and SMU Soccer were truly special when I first walked on campus during my recruiting trip in 1999. I look forward to the challenges and successes ahead.

"I want to thank SMU Director of Athletics Rick Hart for presenting me the opportunity to lead this team. His leadership and vision for SMU Soccer and SMU Athletics is very exciting. I also appreciate the hard work and guidance of our sport supervisor, Tom Buning. I also want to thank Tim McClements for his service to SMU Soccer. He always wanted what was best for the program and players. Additionally, I owe a great debt of gratitude to Schellas Hyndman, who first presented me an opportunity to play at SMU in 2000 and then come back as an assistant coach in 2007. His belief in me and mentorship have been significant factors in my development as a coach and leader. I will never forget all that he has done for me as a player, coach, leader and man.

"These are exciting times for SMU Soccer. We have very high goals and expectations for this program. There is lots of work to be done, but I firmly believe that the future of this program is very bright."

Hudson was a standout student-athlete with the Mustangs from 2000-03 and was a member of SMU's 2000 College Cup team. In 2003, Hudson was an NSCAA/adidas All-Midwest Region First Team selection, as well as an All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team honoree. During his senior season, he was named to CollegeSoccerNews.com's National Team of the Week on two occasions, and he was also selected as the MVC Tournament MVP that same season. Hudson was selected as the 44th pick by DC United in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.

For his efforts in the classroom, Hudson received CoSIDA Academic All-America First-Team honors, and was twice named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete squad. He also earned the MVC President's Academic Excellence award in 2001.

Hudson graduated magna cum laude from SMU with a bachelor's degree in business administration (finance) and a bachelor's degree in psychology. Upon graduation, Hudson worked for Ernst & Young, LLP, as a senior auditor and transaction advisory specialist. Hudson graduated from Notre Dame magna cum laude with a master's degree in the science of accountancy (MSA) in August 2005.

He holds a USSF A coaching license.

Hudson and his wife, Christina, live in Dallas.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Congratulations, Kevin!

[Treadway21]

Congrats to Kevin - did not know he was so academically accomplished.

Thanks to Tim for his time at SMU. Tim is a very good man and worked hard for SMU. While I am happy for Kevin, this is the hard part of sports, especially since I got to know Tim a little over the years, and know what a great guy he is.

I look forward to getting to know Kevin more and to him getting SMU soccer back to national prominence.

[redpony]

Treadway21, MustangBill, and DFFH- what are your opinions on this hire. I was really hoping that we would make a 'splash' hire with a top 15 level coach. My concern is that Kevin has been here as an assistant coach and our record over the last 5-7 years is abysmal.. This program has become an embarrassment since SH left.
I am asking your opinions since it is difficult to get much information from where I live. Of course I am hoping for the best but am disappointed in what seems to be another slap in the face to our non-rev programs by our a.d.

[mustangbill67]

Red, I am not aware of any "slaps" to non-rev programs by Hart in his relative short tenure at SMU. He seems to have a vision of excellence for all SMU athletic programs and to hold the programs' coaches accountable. The fact June overstayed his welcome was something out of Hart's control. Getting back to Hudson, I do not know him except by reputation as an outstanding coach and recruiter. I think the fact North Carolina tried to hire him away last year and Hart persuaded him to stay, says volumes. Anyway, for what it is worth, I believe this is a great hire. Kevin is a Shellas Hyndman protege and that is what we need.

[smupony94]

Casper wants all sports to succeed

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

redpony, I hadn't even thought about it that way, but I can see how it could be construed as not a splash hire.

I think this is a lot more than "just promoting the assistant" though. Hudson is an in-demand coach and SMU is very fortunate to have him.

Just think about the applicant pool for that UNC assistant job...

When you add in the fact Hudson has direct passionate SMU ties and learned from the best, it seems like a perfect hire to me.

Thanks to Rick and Tom for stepping up last year and keeping Hudson at SMU.