Brady Hoke's Integrity-
Great question asked of a fan to Kyle M:
Do you think Brady Hoke would lose some integrity if he lets Toussaint play on Saturday? My thought is he should sit out this game. Hoke needs to show some discipline to his team and send that message to them. -- Roger W. Krueger
This is a great question and I'm sure is weighing on Hoke. I personally don't feel that's the case. This incident happened well over a month ago and if Fitz has met Hoke's criteria I could see a case for the punishment being over. On the other hand, if this incident happened on a game week then I would think the kid has to sit without question. If Fitz plays we'll hear a bunch of crap from Sparty, Irish and Buckeys. But who cares. I love Hoke and completely support and trust any decision he makes. He's got plent of integrity in the bank!
August 30th, 2012 at 1:38 PM ^
If Fritz misses the game there will be very little criticism of Hoke. If he plays, the opposite will occur. (unless we win then the Michigan fans will rejoice).
August 30th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^
Personally I hope we don't use the Fritz anymore - having Gardner under center and Denard out wide was too predictable.
August 30th, 2012 at 1:57 PM ^
No, I don't think it will cost him his integrity. It will take away some of our moral high ground in judging the way other coaches handle these things. To a certain extant, that won't be a bad thing, although I still do think there is a major difference between how UM will handle these things vs. MSU, tsio, and the SEC.
August 30th, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^
In my mind, if Hoke plays Fitz, Michigan then becomes just like every other school and that greatly disappoints me. I believe Michigan is different and stands for integrity and doing the right thing, and Hoke continuously tells us as much, but if Fitz plays, I don't think we can make that claim any longer. To me it doesn't matter that the incident happened during the summer . . . with that logic, does that mean that athletes can run wild and do whatever they want while the season is out? As long as they get up really early and run, everything is ok? Running stairs or hills at 6am doesn't carry the impact that missing a game does. I want to win just as much as the next guy, but I'm more concerned about how we as fans seem to treat many of these athletes like gods which leads to continued poor behavior as they get older. I'm nearing 40 and when I was a kid, I used to think athletes were the greatest. Now that I'm old(er), I'm almost turned off by sports because many athletes think they can do whatever they want (act like idiots, be mouthy, disrespectful, etc) because they are rarely forced to suffer any consequences because the fans will be outraged if owndership/administration makes them unavailable to play in the big game. Some of the posts I read say Fitz should play because if he didn't, the rest of the team would suffer. Again, by that logic, a player should never be forced to sit because his absence will hurt the rest of the team which didn't do anything. That doesn't make sense to me. I really don't want to see him play. In my view, if the O line is opening up holes, just about any of our running backs should be able to do well. He should 100% sit. If it were me, he wouldn't even be traveling either. I'll still be rooting for Michigan on Saturday no matter what, but if Fitz plays, my pride in Micigan will be a bit bruised, even if we win. I'm sure it's not the popular one, but it's my opinion.
August 30th, 2012 at 2:19 PM ^
Hoke has integrity, regardless of whether Toussaint plays or not vs. Alabama. What this means is that Hoke wiill do what is best for the program, the team, and for Toussaint.
What many on this board seem not to understand is that playing Toussaint may not be the best thing for either the team or for Toussaint. Not being privy to Hoke's mind or his interactions for Toussaint, I don't know what is best.
However, I am confident that Hoke will do the right thing, and will not compromise himself in order to have a better chance at beating Alabama. Hoke has to look at himself in the mirror. I don't think he could live with himself very well if he cut corners just for one win. It goes against his character.
I am confident that Toussaint is a good kid who made a bad choice. I am confident that Hoke wants to see good come out of this for Toussaint. Hoke has already said that he won't make decisions based on what either the media or the fan base wants to see happen.
If I had to predict, I would say that Hoke doesn't play Toussaint, at a minimum, for the first half of the game, and in all likelihood, for the entire game. But my opinion and prediction doesn't matter at all, with which I am fine.
August 30th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^
August 30th, 2012 at 3:11 PM ^
Why do you trust Hoke so categorically? Why does he get away with not explaining anything?
To me, the easy thing that requires the least explanation is to leave them (Toussaint and Clark) off the trip. That is an action that for the most part speaks for itself.
The hardest thing is to let them play. In that case, why wouldn't the decision need to be explained? Why say, "Oh, Coach Hoke has it covered; he's a good guy we trust him." That answer would never fly if we were judging Mark Dantonio, Urban Meyer, Nick Saban or Brian Kelly. Just look at this Board. Why the double standard?
Not only would Brady Hoke have to explain allowing them to play -- it would have to be a helluva good explanation.
I don't presume anything. But Frank Clark is awaiting trial on a felony, and Fitzgerald Toussaint has just pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing. That is a matter of public record.
Honestly; while I am certain that Dave Brandon wants to let Brady Hoke take full control of team discipline, the risk of a poisonous public relations debacle ought to be enough for Brandon to insist with Hoke that the two guys not get on the plane to Dallas.
August 30th, 2012 at 4:54 PM ^
What makes you think that Brady Hoke gives a rat's patoot what you or anyone else on this board thinks about any of his decisions? And why do you deserve an explanation?
Bo would never talk about discipline decisions. Lloyd certainly never did. And Brady won't either. Plus the first time Brandon insists Brady do something like what you're suggesting then Brady's authority is undermined. Luckily DB is smarter than that and is certainly not going to insist on anything because of PR pressure.
August 30th, 2012 at 3:16 PM ^
August 30th, 2012 at 3:18 PM ^
August 30th, 2012 at 3:46 PM ^
Anyone want to creep out at WIllow Run to see if he is on the plane?
August 30th, 2012 at 11:43 PM ^