Philosophy:

The Speed of the Leader is the Speed of the Pack!!

It is very important that everyone, all coaches, players and support personnel, understand that if you are in a leadership role (senior player, starter, position coach, head manager, etc.), your speed will determine the speed of your pack!

In eight years as a head coach, Coach Hud, as he is often referred to, has a 79-20 record as a head coach (50-12 in the last 5 years).  Coach Hudspeth will be the first to admit that he was very fortunate to have been tutored by some of the finest high school and college coaches in the country.  He will also say that has been mentored by some of the best head coaches and administrators at the college level, all having lasting impressions with him, which has lead him to be one of the most successful young head football coaches in the country.   Just like having a game plan offensively and defensively, Coach Hud has a game plan for every other part of his program.  Coach Hud’s commitment to his players success on and off the field is evident through his philosophy and concepts that are put in place to help achieve success in all aspects of his players development.  

Academic Development:

All players are required to sit in the first two rows of all classes.  Attendance is mandatory for all class’s  missing class is not an option.  By sitting on the first two rows, student-athletes can’t help but get involved with class discussion and have fewer class distractions.   Also, by sitting in the first two rows, it demonstrates a commitment to the instructor that their class is important to the student athlete.   Student athletes may also be asked to place their cell phone on the instructor’s desk if it is ever a problem.

Players also have study table three to four nights a week based on academic performance and needs.  Tutors are available nightly to help players in their needed classes.  Study table is located in the university library.  Student athletes that need additional supervision, have sign in study time in the position coach’s office or staff rooms, when available, up to four additional hours per week.  

Character Development:

“To be early is to be on time, to on time is to be late and to be late is to be forgotten!”   Punctuality is also very important in the everyday life of the football Lions!  Whether it is class, meetings or weights, all players must be responsible to be on time or call if a problem arises.  Each player is given an “8 Second Card” that has the phone numbers of all coaches.  It also has a quote on the reverse side that the players are asked to read or remember if ever faced with a difficult decision.  “Is this decision best for me, my team and my family?”

Every Monday is “Main AtTIre Monday.”   All players wear ties to class on Mondays, to prepare for life after football and to also facilitate good body language to the student body and faculty.

The “Unity Council” is another very big part of the team chemistry and character development of the Lions.

The Unity Council is made up of 10 players, 2 from each class, that meet with Coach Hud bi-weekly to discuss a wide range of topics, give the team a voice and to hold their teammates accountable.

One of the biggest aspects of the character development program at UNA is Roger Boswell’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes program.  Coach Hud brought Roger on board in 2003 and will be the first to give Roger all of the credit for the transformation of so many lives and attitudes.  Roger meets each Tuesday and also daily with individual players on a voluntary sign up basis.