Let's be realistic and not fool ourselves. Hudspeth is a leading candidate for the Vanderbilt job.
While it's no sure indicator of which way their AD and administration will go, Hud is getting a lot of support on Vandy message boards: http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=189&f=1603&t=12577707
And they are enthused about him for all the right reasons:
"SOG,
If we go after an offensive guru, I agree. Hud should be our first choice over Morris. For that very reason, he has been a winner at both head coaching jobs already plus, you forget to mention, Hud also has SEC experience, two years at Miss State. So he is familiar with what it takes to recruit in the SEC.
Even though I am still in the Mason camp, Hudspeth really has everything we are looking for
1. Proven winner as head coach- check
2. Motivator- check
3. Former assistant coach in the SEC- check
4. Former offensive coordinator at a service academy(hence academic school knowledge)- check
5. Graduation rates and academic progress at ULL football is the highest since 1982- check
6. Would cause our rivarly with Ole Miss to heat up, since Hud is a native Mississippian and could be a thorn in the paw of Hugh Freeze on the recruiting trail- check"
******
I hope what someone said about Mason or Morris is true--that there is a 5.2 million dollar buyout for leaving to be a coordinator somewhere, but no buyout for leaving to be a head coach.
But realistically, Hud will interview. And if they offer him, he's gone. I hope our athletic department is being proactive and not just hoping against hope he doesn't leave.
Interesting to see this USA Today piece does not mention Hud's name among the candidates, though that is essentially meaningless: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...coach/4365585/