Keynodo Hudson is in his second season as defensive backs coach at Illinois in 2020.
In his first year at Illinois, Hudson helped Illinois to the 2019 Redbox Bowl, the program's first bowl in five years, after two of the most memorable victories in Illini history. Illinois clinched bowl eligibility with a 37-34 win at Michigan State in the biggest comeback in program history. Illinois trailed 28-3 in the second quarter and 31-10 entering the fourth to tie the largest fourth-quarter comeback in a Big Ten game in the last 40 seasons by outscoring Michigan State 27-3 in the fourth quarter.
Hudson also helped coach the Fighting Illini to one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten history with a 24-23 victory over No. 6 Wisconsin on Oct. 19, 2019. Illinois entered the day as a 30-point underdog before Jake McCourt's 39-yard field goal as time expired sent Illini fans rushing to the Memorial Stadium field in one of the greatest Homecoming scenes in University of Illinois history. The Wisconsin victory sprung Illinois to four straight Big Ten wins, the first four-game Big Ten winning streak for the Fighting Illini since the 2001 Big Ten Championship team finished the regular season with seven straight conference victories. Illinois finished the 2019 regular season 6-6 and 4-5 in the Big Ten.
Hudson came to Illinois from Florida Atlantic where he spent the previous two seasons as cornerbacks coach. In his first season at FAU in 2017, Hudson helped the Owls finish No. 2 nationally in interceptions with a program-record 20 on their way to an 11-3 record.
Prior to FAU, Hudson spent six seasons as a defensive administrative assistant at Southern California. The Trojans had three 10-win seasons during Hudson's time in Los Angeles, including a win in the 2017 Rose Bowl over Penn State that helped USC finish No. 3 in the final AP poll.
Hudson started his career at the University of Charleston (2004-08) before becoming the defensive coordinator at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida (2009-11). He played college football at Reedley College from 1997-00 before transferring to West Virginia Tech where he played his final season and graduated in 2004.
Keynodo Hudson Coaching History
| Year |
Position |
| 2019 |
Illinois (Assistant coach/Defensive Backs) |
| 2017-18 |
Florida Atlantic (Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks) |
| 2011-16 |
Southern California (Defensive Administrative Assistant) |
| 2009-11 |
Mainland High School (Defensive Coordinator) |
| 2004-08 |
University of Charleston (Assistant Coach/Secondary) |
Hudson File
Born: September 6, 1978
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Education: West Virginia Tech ’04 (general education)
Wife: Yvonne
Son: Karim
Daughters: Kiera, Kayla, Keaunna, Iyana
