One thing you can never question about volleyball coach Travis Hudson…his love for Western Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/iN7RWXmo6b

— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) December 3, 2017

For a long time, Travis Hudson and his teams at Western Kentucky have been more than just a thorn in the side of Sun Belt and Conference USA opponents, but – as well-built programs do – they have a become a legitimate and sustainable threat on the national scene. Along with that, the respect for Hudson as a coach has risen every year. The brief, but meaningful video above is just a piece of Travis Hudson, but it is telling.

The man who, just seven years ago, saved his entire team from a potentially devastating bus accident has been putting his life’s work on the line for a constantly growing and changing group of young women. For those of us in coaching – in case you’ve forgotten – that’s our job. In a world and industry dominated by logos on chests, apparel contracts, and races to the top of the coaching ladder, it’s possible that Travis Hudson is wearing a ten year old polo the next time you see him. It could be a 23 year old polo and it would still have the proper initials on his chest. One of the longest-tenured active coaches in our game, he stands for more than just reliability. His points after his team’s heart-wrenching loss at Kentucky are valid and necessary.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with a desire to pursue new opportunities and further your career, Travis Hudson captured exactly what it is to be a coach here. Validation shouldn’t come from gear, status, or bonus checks – we do this for our players – and no players may be as lucky as those returning home to Bowling Green, Kentucky this week.