The HillTopics caught up with the new SMU men's head soccer coach Kevin Hudson. The former SMU standout was named the fourth head coach in the program's history on Jan. 9, 2015. Hudson spent seven seasons as an assistant coach and was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2014 season after returning to the Hilltop in 2007.

"The transition is going well. The transition from assistant to head coach is a bit unique here at SMU because I played here and under the old head coach (Tim McClements I was given a lot of freedom. It's different and there are challenges but when it comes to recruiting and picking the team, I've been a part of that for many year so I've felt comfortable," Hudson said.

As Hudson is coming to find, becoming the head coach has its challenges and limitations to how close and friendly he can be with players because in the end, he's the one determining playing time.

"As an assistant coach you can protect yourself from the hard decisions. But it's the pressure and hard decisions that I wanted," Hudson said. "As an assistant coach you can be closer and more liked by the players but ultimately what these boys want is to win and play and I make the decision as to who gets to play. I've had the job for almost three months and it's spring soccer so it's hard to measure how everything's going but in August when we add 9-10 new players spots will become more demanding and playing time will decrease for some."

The SMU men's soccer team have one several games this spring, which is a good sign of their willingness to commit to the new leadership.

"The players have been great. It's new for them as well and any time there's a transition there's renewed optimism," Hudson said. "I think in the next few years we'll be exactly where we want to be but the team next year is going to be very good and I have high expectations. These guys have bought in pretty quickly and I think we're making good strides."

As one of his first moves as head coach, Hudson brought in Dustin Norman from Oregon State as an assistant coach to spearhead recruitment.

"Coach Dustin Norman does an outstanding job recruiting. He's been where I've been for eight years, always recruiting the top kids that I was after too so when I started looking for the right fit for the staff I think we have a staff that can recruit with the best teams in the country," Hudson said. "I'm going to still be extremely involved in recruiting. I always tell everyone the two most important things that we do are coach the team and recruit the best players. Obviously we want to graduate student athletes but on the soccer side we want to win and for that you need elite players. You can coach as well as you want and train as hard as you want but without elite players you can only get so far. Ultimately it's a player's game so you have to get the right pieces in place."

Though Hudson admits the team isn't complete just yet, he's extremely pleased with how the team is playing with the components that he has.

"We can still be better but we are doing great right now. There are certain things about how I want to play the game and bring in new players but I think we are bringing in great 2015 players and the class of 2016 looks great," Hudson said. "We have a core of excellent players right now and we need difference makers. The more difference makers you have the better your chances are of winning."

Hudson remarked that he and the old head coach, coach Tim McClements have different styles of coaching and that he thinks a firmer hand is necessary to bring this team to the top level.

"Tim is a great coach and a great man but we are different. From a coaching style and standpoint, I will continue to demand a little bit more from the guys. I know what it takes to win on a national level," Hudson said. "I'm not going to be afraid to push the players. It's dangerous to define success in the spring as results but you're looking for continuity within your team and a general effort and want to do the work."

The spring season for SMU men's soccer is officially over on April 11 so without much time left, Hudson says the focus of the team is to simply establish more cohesiveness within the team.

"The team has really come together I feel, there's been a lot of unity in the face of some personal challenges," Hudson said.

As for next year, Hudson held his goals close to the chest but without a doubt the team will be aiming as high as they can.

"I have goals that I've shared with the team but it's hard to say we're going to win this and that but I have very defined expectations of where I want this team to be. I told the team the day I got the job that there are unbelievable expectations and there's a history that comes with SMU men's soccer and I will not hide from that," Hudson said. "These players have to understand that we have a duty to achieve and they are at SMU to play for a program that is different than other programs. They picked SMU because they have a higher goal and I think the direction and understanding is good."