Hudspeth Fires DC Melvin Smith

One day after the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns allowed nearly 600 yards in offense to Boise State, Cajuns' head coach Mark Hudspeth announced Defensive Coordinator Melvin Smith has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.

Linebackers coach Mike Lucas will serve as Defensive Coordinator for the remainder of the season.

In a release provided by the University, Hudspeth said:

We appreciate everything that Melvin has done for us since coming here, and we wish he and his family nothing but the best in the future," Hudspeth said. "Making a change is never easy, but we feel this was the necessary thing to do for the success of our program."

Smith was entering his second season as DC for the Cajuns, after coming to Louisiana from Auburn, where he spent two seasons coaching defensive backs.

Lucas is in his 37th season in coaching at the collegiate level.  The 57 year old Lucas has served as Defensive Coordinator at three different schools, including a 15-year stint as DC at Sam Houston State.  He began his coaching career as a student assistant at William and Mary in 1979.