Jason Hudson will begin his sixth season at the helm of the Cleveland State cross country team during the 2023 campaign, serving as the Head Coach Cross Country/Track & Field.

During Hudson’s tenure with the Vikings, Cleveland State has set program records on both the 5K and 6K courses, paced by 2021 senior Anna Brandt who became the first Viking to be a three-time All-Horizon League honoree.

Academics have also been a priority during Hudson's time at Cleveland State, as the cross country and track & field teams have combined for 86 Dean's List honors over the last three years, while three Vikings have combined for nine Horizon League All-Academic Team nods. 

Under Hudson's guidance, the cross country team also continued its strong history of CSU Valedictorians this past spring, as Anna Brandt was named the 2021 Spring Valedictorian for the College of Education & Human Services while also earning the Horizon League's Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor.

Hudson came to Cleveland State prior to the 2018 season with over 20 years of coaching experience, including stops at Oberlin High School, Oberlin College, College of Wooster and Case Western Reserve.

Hudson spent 12 seasons on the coaching staff at Oberlin College, working in a multitude of roles with both the cross country and track and field teams. During his time at Oberlin, Hudson mentored hundreds of All-Conference performers and over 40 conference champions, while also having a handful of student-athletes qualify for nationals and earn All-America honors.

In addition, Hudson helped Oberlin capture seven North Coast Athletic Conference titles in women’s cross country, while making six appearances in the NCAA Championship.

Hudson got his start in coaching at the College of Wooster where he was the assistant track and field and cross country coach, before serving a stint at Case Western Reserve as the head women’s cross country coach and assistant track and field coach.

Hudson has also been involved with other aspects of university life, serving as the Director of Wellness and Director of Student-Athlete Services – both of which came at Oberlin College.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hudson was a four-year letterwinner at the College of Wooster in cross country and track and field, earning All-Conference honors on three occasions. During his time with the Fighting Scots, Hudson was part of a conference champion 4x400 relay team, set a school record in the 3200 relay, and was part of a conference champion cross country team.

Hudson graduated from Wooster with a bachelor of arts in psychology and later earned a master of education in community counseling from Kent State University.