I think Hud has done a great job. And, I think he will do a great job next year for UL. I don't pretend to be an expert in these things, so I will ask a question. Other than Tennessee, does anybody know of a time when a coach with one year of head coaching experience in what is generally considered to be the weakest FCBS conference, who has never served as a coordinator at a major school, and who came in third in this weakest of all conferences, has been offered a head coaching position at an AQ conference school?
Hiring a new coach is always a high risk proposition. There are way too many variables to ever be certain. But, it does seem to me that you want to minimize your chance of being wrong by hiring someone that has a lengthier resume of "big time" success than does Hud. I believe we have him for at least two and very likely three years before he is offered at an AQ conference school.
Of the openings or potential openings available, the one I worry about is if Southenr Miss became available. Going from UL to a school that size would be a normal and expected advancement, though again his having been a HC for only one year is a problem. I don't see UAB as a possibility, That school is a graveyard and I've seen nothing that the administration can or is willing to do what it takes to get better. If Tulane or Memphis are not serious about getting better, I can't see Hud going their. If they are serious, and want to prove it to their supporters (read fatcats), they will need to bring in someone with more successful experience than Hud.
Again, this is not a knock on Hud. Next year, or certainly the year after that is the most we can expect if he continues his success of this year. I just think it's too soon for a "big" program to come after him.