Don Hudson

Donald Edward Hudson (November 20, 1929 – September 30, 2018) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Macalester College from 1972 to 1975 and at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri from 1976 to 1979, compiling a career college football record of 9–72–2.

Early life, family and education

Donald Hudson was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of a jazz musician. He graduated from Westinghouse High School, having participated in football and gymnastics.

Hudson played college football as a quarterback for Lincoln University, graduating in 1953 with a BS degree in physical education and as a second lieutenant in the US Army Engineers. All the white assistant coaches quit. By his second year coaching, the team had a winning season.

Hudson took a coaching and teaching job at predominantly white Macalester College in 1970. He was promoted to head coach in December 1971 when his predecessor, Dick Borstad, resigned after a 1–7–1 season. Hudson's team went 3–36 during his four seasons as head coach at Macalester. Hudson was the first African-American head football coach at a predominantly white college in the modern era. Macalester College barely publicized the milestone. As a result, other predominantly white schools were subsequently reported to have hired the first African-American head football coach in the modern era: Portland State University with the hiring of Ron Stratten in 1972 and Oberlin College with the hiring of Cass Jackson in 1973. Hudson was recognized for his breakthrough at half time of a Macalester game in October 2007.

Hudson left Macalaster in 1975, returning to Lincoln University to be its football head coach, girls track head coach, and athletic director. He was subsequently athletic director of Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado, for 16 years until 2000.

Personal life and demise

Hudson and his wife Constance had six children. His daughter Natalie became a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. His favorite food was bananas. In retirement, the couple resided in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Hudson died at age 88 in Charlotte.

Head coaching record College