As Tomahawk Nation first reported Friday night, East Carolina defensive coordinator Greg Hudson will become Florida State's linebackers coach.  Our source indicated that there were a few remaining details to iron out, but that the decision had been made Friday night.  Those details proved no obstacle, and the deal was finalized.  Hudson is considered a very good defensive coach and has produced multiple all-conference players in his time at ECU.  He will join Florida State's staff after the January 1st bowl game.

Hudson comes to FSU following a 5 year stint at East Carolina, where his defenses are known for their physicality, toughness, and consistency in forcing turnovers.  Prior to working at ECU, Hudson coached at Minnesota (2001-2004), Cincinnati (1997-2000), and UConn (1994-1996). He was also a graduate assistant for Notre Dame in 1993.  He coached with Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher at Cincinnati.

Hudson's defenses have been instrumental in carrying East Carolina to back-to-back Conference USA Championships, defeating prolific offenses this year in Houston and last year's Tulsa attack.  The Pirates held Houston to 5.9 yards per play, and Tulsa to 4.1.  Those performances were by far the worst of the year for those two teams, courtesy Hudson's defense.

Hudson's defense has been the top defense in conference USA for each of the past 4 years in either yards or points allowed.  In 2008, his attack was one of the best 25 in the country when adjusting for opponent, which is tremendous considering the school where he coaches. 

Florida State's defense was one of the worst 20 in the nation this year (120 total D1 teams), and Hudson will be expected to turn that unit around quickly.  Many believed that he would not leave his coordinator job at ECU to be a position coach, but his close relationship with Fisher and a substantial pay raise courtesy of some sort of "executive assistant" title was enough to draw the 43 year-old Hudson to Tallahassee. 

He joins other newcomers in Arizona's defensive coordinator Mark Stoops (DC), Tennessee's Eddie Gran (RB), and South Alabama's Daymeune Craig (offense).  Florida State is expected to hire one more defensive assistant to coach either the defensive backs or defensive ends.  Hudson is considered a dynamite hire, and based on pedigree and reputation, the 'Noles have again hit a home run, as they did with Stoops and Gran.  Florida State fans will remember that Fisher strongly considered Hudson for the defensive coordinator position.  Hudson is considered a capable recruiter.