Gene Hudson is in his third season as a member of the Belhaven University Football staff. Hudson came to Belhaven for the 2014 season as the Defensive Backs Coach under Hal Mumme. In 2015, Hudson has added the role of Recruiting Coordinator to his duties on the Belhaven Football staff.
In 2014, Hudson’s defensive backs helped a pass defense ranked 15th in the NAIA, allowing just 166.4 yards per game. The secondary helped the Blazers defense also keep opponents to just a 33.8 percent conversion rate on third downs, ranking 30th in the NAIA.
Hudson joined the Blazers staff after one season at Mesa Community College in 2013. In his one season with the Thunderbirds, Hudson’s defensive back unit was responsible for 20 interceptions which was best in the Western States Football League and finished sixth in the nation in the NJCAA.Â
The defensive backs also turned the interceptions into 416 return yards, which helped for three defensive touchdowns on the season. Hudson’s defensive backs helped Mesa to a 7-1 regular season, and a conference runners-up finish. Mesa finished 8-3 on the season in 2013, up from a 6-5 campaign in 2012.
Hudson went to Mesa after helping McMurry University to its first playoff appearance as an assistant defensive backs coach on Hal Mumme’s staff. His Warhawks secondary finished with 15 interceptions and 39 pass breakups on the season, more than any other year in McMurry football history prior to Hudson’s arrival as a player.
The Houston, Texas native also had his playing career under Mumme at McMurry, where he set several school records, including interceptions in a season, interceptions in a game, forced fumbles, recovered fumbles, and pass break ups in a season. Hudson had the privilege to be coached by former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn, the mastermind of the 3-3-5 defense.
In 2009, Hudson had six interceptions to go along with 35 tackles, seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles. In just three games in a shortened 2011 season for Hudson, the defensive back finished with 11 tackles and an interception to go along with six pass breakups.
Hudson’s prep career was at Elsik High School and Gulf Shores Academy where he was an all-state defensive back and wide receiver.
