
Dudek is a 5-7, 200+, ball of energy Recruiting Director, from McKeesport, PA. My plan was to try and avoid posts on the staff in the countdown this year, but I changed my mind after Dudek's hat trick + 2 in recruiting yesterday.
Dudek has a very interesting background. He used to work for a large crane rental company. After doing some work with the Pitt football team, former Coach Wannstedt talked him into switching careers and joining his football staff. Dudek eventually became the Director of Recruiting for Pitt where he crossed paths with Coaches Magee, Dews, and Caponi. When Coach Rod put the band back together in Tucson, he brought Matt Dudek west to handle PR.
Dudek has helped move Wildcat recruiting into national prominence. He uses videos and social media along with every other trick in a recruiters bag to promote Arizona Football and reach the players Arizona is targeting. Dudek and the Video Gurus have been recognized nationally for their innovation and effectiveness at not only reaching potential players, but also the fan base. A #OnToTheNextOne tweet or 5 can bring sunshine to the cloudiest Tucson day.
I don't want to oversell Dudek. Recruiting at Arizona is a total staff effort and the coaches are the prime recruiters on individual players, but Dudek is the guy who helps the coaches maximize their visits and he is also in charge of all the campus visits. If you have watched one of Dudek's signing day events, you know how he has worked hard to develop a personal relationship with not only every recruit, but also their families.
If you are not doing it yet, you should follow Dudek on twitter @AZ_Matty_D. Not only will you keep up to date on Arizona Football and recruiting, but you will also learn about food porn, new places to eat in Tucson, Pittsburgh sports, and joy of raising 3 girls. Winners get IHop.
Here is a good article by Dennis Dodd on Dudek and Arizona recruiting and an interview with Inside Scoop.
46 is also the most turnovers an Arizona team has recovered in a season. It wasn't the Desert Swarm, but the 1954 team had 20 interceptions, recovered 24 fumbles, along with 2 blocked kicks. The most forced fumbles in a season by an individual player is not tracked in the media guide, but it could be held by Scooby who had 6 last year.
