June 1, 2000

Sports Update

By Ben Brake

Sports

I need to point out that every K-State coach puts in numerous hours on the job and has to have a total dedication to the
football team. Their families are the backbone of the coaches. They are the ones that make it possible for the continuing
success of the program. I can not give proper credit to a coach without first giving the appreciation to their families. They
sacrifice more than you or I could imagine. So, thank you!

Ron Hudson is the offensive coordinator for the Wildcats. Coach Hudson came to K-State in 1995 as the passing game
coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The passing game set a school record with 27 touchdowns in 1995. K-State led the
nation in scoring, while ranking ninth in total offense in 1998.

I think Ron Hudson probably loves every minute of his stay here in Manhattan. He has done a great job for the Wildcats. I
think he also has one of the most exciting jobs on the team. He gets a first hand view of the tremendous competition between
Beasley and Roberson. He gets to watch them mature into the position and have the deciding factor of who will be number 1
and 2. Which is not the job I would want.

Mr. Hudson has been the offensive coordinator since 1997. He has been a wonderful asset to the football program. I imagine
he carries two briefcases to work every morning, one for Snyder’s playbook and the second for his investment in Maalox,
Rolaids and Tylenol.

The playbook alone is suppose to be one of the most complicated playbooks around. He has to have those plays memorized
and be able to recite them back like a well-prepared speech for the Senate Committee. That alone would keep a stomach in
motion. Then on top of that you throw in a player like Michael Bishop.

Could you imagine trying to coach a player like Bishop? You take a set play and send it out to the quarterback. Then, all of
the sudden he scrambles out of the pocket dropping back 15 -20 yards with linebackers chasing him all over the place; some
how, some way he escapes the clutches of the defense and hurls a 50-yard bomb for a touchdown. Then the offensive
coordinator takes a big swig of Maalox and prepares for the next offensive series.

That kind of excitement is fantastic for a fan, but I think it would be a little nerve racking for an offensive coordinator. Seeing
your quarterback being chased out of the pocket, not just a little, but way back in the backfield. Knowing that one slip would
put your team a position that would be hard to get out of. That would cause a tremendous strain alone.

Then came the first play from scrimmage in the Purple and White game when Ell Roberson III took it 70 yards to the house,
to the house, to the house. I am sure Ron kept having flashbacks of the 98 season. People from Fort Riley could hear a loud
scream NOOOOOOOOOOO, NOT AGAIN!!!!

The fans were saying "YES, AGAIN!"