Hudson Named East Carolina Defensive Coordinator
December 16, 2004 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Greg Hudson has been named defensive coordinator at East Carolina University according to an announcement from newly-appointed head football coach Skip Holtz Thursday.
In addition, Hudson will also handle responsibilities as a position coach for the safeties according to Holtz.
His appointment at ECU officially ends a four-year tenure at Big 10 Conference member Minnesota where he served for four seasons, beginning in 2001. After spending the first two seasons as the Gophers' linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, he was promoted to defensive coordinator prior to UM's appearance in the 2002 Music City Bowl against Arkansas and remained in that capacity for the following two seasons.
After holding the Razorbacks' 11th-ranked rush offense to just 80 yards during the Gophers' 29-14 win, Hudson followed in 2003 by heading a Minnesota defense which allowed just 21.9 points per game (second-lowest average by an UM unit since 1985), 340.4 yards a contest (second-lowest average since 1980) and 122.7 rushing yards per game, which was the second-lowest average against the Gophers since 1962. In fact, Minnesota earned top 35 national statistical rankings in all three categories during the '03 campaign while also allowing opponents a little over three yards per carry.
Hudson's defense turned in another productive performance in 2004, standing 16th nationally in turnover margin (+.73), 44th in scoring defense (23.4 ppg) and 49th in rushing defense (140.4 ypg).
"Greg is someone I have known and respected for a long time as a person, close friend and coach," said Holtz. "His reputation speaks for itself, especially his understanding, development and execution of the defensive scheme I want to incorporate at East Carolina. I expect a smooth transition for him in our program and for his family in the community."
Prior to his appointment at Minnesota, Hudson spent four years (1997-2000) at Cincinnati, where he helped lead the Bearcats to national prominence which included a pair of bowl appearances in three seasons. As assistant head coach and linebackers coach, he was instrumental in the transformation of UC's defense into the top-ranked unit in Conference USA. The Bearcats were exceptionally proficient in forcing turnovers, ranking sixth nationally in that category in 2000 with a plus-12 margin. Hudson also coached the offensive line (1997) and running backs (1998) before moving over to defense.
Before his move to Cincinnati, Hudson spent three seasons on Holtz' staff at Connecticut in 1994, 1995 and 1996 as the Huskies' offensive line coach. Behind his efforts, UConn averaged over 4,000 yards per season during that span.
Hudson began his coaching career in 1990 at the University of Redlands (Calif.), serving as linebackers coach for the Bulldogs before returning to alma mater Notre Dame in 1993. While coaching the Fighting Irish offensive line that season as a graduate assistant, he helped lead Notre Dame to an 11-1 record, which included a 24-21 win over Texas A&M in the 1994 Cotton Bowl and a final No. 2 rank. He also coached Aaron Taylor, who captured the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman in 1993 and was a first-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers.
Hudson was a two-year participant as a linebacker at Notre Dame in 1986 and 1987 and earned his bachelor's degree in sociology in 1990 before adding a master's from Redlands in 2000. He was a prep All-America selection as a linebacker at Moeller High School in Cincinnati.
Hudson is the sixth official hire for Holtz, joining defensive line coach Donnie Thompson, offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler, offensive assistant coach Phil Petty, running backs coach Junior Smith and director of football operations Clifford Snow on the Pirates' staff.
Hudson and wife Kelly are the parents of four children - sons Garrett and Jack, and daughters Kacey and Kayla.
