The Snowflake Thread: Coaching

Submitted by LSAClassOf2000 on

This will be the thread for your thoughts on coaching and coaching decisions. 

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alum96

November 9th, 2013 at 7:35 PM ^

He reminds me of Marinilli in some aspects but earlier in this thread I said he is our Charlie Weiss.  Only reason I say that is Marinelli went straight from DL coach to HC.  Hoke had some stints as a HC at least.  Weiss did the same thing Hoke has done - he took a previous staff's players and did well early, he recruited very well, and then he was exposed in year 3. 

We will lost 4-5 games next year, ND with Gholson back is a loss, @MSU and @OSU are not going to be close so that is 3 losses in the bucket.  Another 1-2-3 losses will happe if nothing changes significantly.  So he will match Weiss record in season 4 and the hot seat will be flaming.  The OL has a chance to be as bad or worse than this year.

It will be interesting to see if Brandon gives him year 5. 

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omgcodysignedon

November 9th, 2013 at 7:35 PM ^

Are you guys that delusional that you think Harbaugh (who coached in the superbowl last year) is even going to remotely consider coming here?

Joined: 11/02/2010

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Willy Wonka

November 9th, 2013 at 7:43 PM ^

We go for the sexy hire in Rich Rod- a guy who balked at all Michigan traditions and disregarded coaching any semblance of a defense which ultimately divided the fan base.

Now we turn to a guy who spews on about Michigan tradition and all the Dave Brandon induced catchphrases "team 134" "Ohio" etc. to reinvigorate the fanbase. Now the realization is that he may not be able to coach or develop talent effectively and it's starting up the grumblings again.

Sorry, but $3M+ shouldn't be allotted for a glorified spokesperson.

Joined: 01/21/2012

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powhound

November 9th, 2013 at 7:49 PM ^

If it wasn't for Borges shit play calling, they would have but 1 loss. He is the biggest problem. He has to go.

I say give Hoke another year or 2 for the sake of the program, but on a short leash.

Oh, and remember, Bo was not a Michigan Man until he got to Michigan

Joined: 11/28/2010

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TexasMaizeNBlue

November 9th, 2013 at 7:54 PM ^

I was looking forward to making the trip from down here in Texas, and was eager to see Hoke and the boys try to extend the home winning streak. I can't watch this team anymore, this isn't supposed to be what a Michigan team is all about. Sadly, it is. Atrocious coaching (led by a guy that doesn't really have any input on the game planning and is basically a cheerleader, from all indications),a team that is SOFT on both lines of scrimmage, and to the naked eye has no sense of pride or fight. I'm embarrassed to be a Wolverine fan. Man oh man did Brandon screw up royally by not landing a big fish coaching hire. Say what you want about the Buckeyes, but they landed Urban and he hasn't lost a game. I bet the press conference will be splendid, "we are young, we will have a good week of practice, we will play with more physicalness". Mr. Hoke, you are overfuckinwhelmed, good sir.

Joined: 08/03/2012

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BlueHills

November 9th, 2013 at 11:54 PM ^

Brandon has no prior experience for his million dollar a year job. He's the only B1G AD without it.

This year's hire of a skywriter to write "Go Blue" over Spartan Stadium is exactly how his mind works. All hype and BS.

That is Dave Brandon.

And the problem we face is that if he fires Hoke, he makes the next hire.

I do not hold out a lot of hope in either event.

Joined: 10/31/2010

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umichjenks

November 9th, 2013 at 8:01 PM ^

had 3 yrs with no support from school admin. Hoke is in yr 3 with full support from school. If he doesn't fire Funk, Borges, Fred Jackson then he can go. Basically he's Jim Schwartz of college acting like a cheerleader. Start backing your words of accountability and sit Touissant, Gardner. Put a headset on and quit giving us excuses about our team being young.

Joined: 03/16/2009

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Bando Calrissian

November 9th, 2013 at 8:01 PM ^

I guess I'm just tired of the fact that the only coaching you see out of Hoke on the sidelines is walking on the field clapping like the failure was ok. I just once want to see him show some non-golf clap emotion. This team is listless, and it starts from the top.

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chatster

November 9th, 2013 at 9:20 PM ^

I may be at a disadvantage, because I'm watching Michgan games on TV; but from that vantage point, I have to wonder why Brady Hoke won't give the impression that he's more than a casual, cheerleading observer, regardles of whether his face turns red or he's seen screaming at a player or grabbing a player by the face mask or the collar.

Maybe when you're watching from The Big House, you can see how much he communicates with the staff and players about strategy and what he has called "teaching", and about what's working and what's not working during the game.  But that rarely comes across when watching the games on TV.

Would it make a difference if Hoke put a headset on and kept a play-calling chart handy, so that he at least gives the impression that he's actively involved in making the in-game coaching decisions?

Joined: 09/14/2010

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CC_MFan

November 9th, 2013 at 8:04 PM ^

Like oklahoma before stoops, and USC before carrol, Texas before brown.  Large programs that lose their way.  The only real solution is to get a top notch coach. 

RR couldn't get it done on either side of the ball against the better teams, and this years team is very similar.  Denard was an explosive player, but we couldn't throw or rush with any consistency. 

Hoke's teams look the same as RR.  Not very physical on the line of scrimmage and unable to run the ball.  We are better at defense under Hoke, but still struggle at key times to make plays.  We haven't had a legitimate pass rush in forever, even our blitzes don't get to the QB in time.

I also think it has nothing to do with style of play (west coast, spread etc...)  Saban plays an extremely boring style of play, but they dominate.  His defense is lights out and the offense is tough to stop because they have a good running game with an opportunistic passing attack. 

Teams take on the personality of their coaches.  Brady seems to willing to accept mediocrity and that is where we are finding ourselves.  I have not seen a practice so I cannot make a comment on what is happening there.  However, whatever they are doing is not working. 

This makes me believe that BH is in over his head and is not the guy.  The question is, do you give him another year in which will stabilize the recruiting for a 4 year stint, or do you cut your losses and move on?  Also,  who is out there that would be the answer? 

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Sten Carlson

November 9th, 2013 at 8:09 PM ^

I think Hoke is fine, and is going to be a great coach at Michigan.  I think he severely underestimated Borges' and Funk's ability.  Hoke need to cut them loose before they drag him down with him.

Joined: 11/16/2009

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StarvinMarlinJackson

November 9th, 2013 at 8:24 PM ^

Just wanted to put my two cents in and then I will probably bow out. Am I the only one who thought Borges called a pretty good game in the second half? Borges saw the blitzes coming every play and did a few things to counter it:

The short passing game was working for (seemingly) the first time all year long.

The screen pass went for 40 yards. 

Max protects for the downfield passing game. 

Running on the outside (the jet sweep to Funchess)

The reason we couldn't move the ball downfield is because even with 7 guys on the offensive line, Gardner gets an average of 2-3 seconds of protection before he is forced out of the pocket. And when you max protect, you only have two or three routes downfield and when no one is open the quarterback is going to be hit. You could say Gardner should be getting rid of the ball more quickly but that is the least of our problems in my opinion. In my mind this loss is squarely on the offensive line. Even with a moderately coherent offensive line, Gardner would look like Gardner of the Notre Dame game and Borges would look like a genius.

Joined: 11/09/2013

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Sten Carlson

November 9th, 2013 at 8:36 PM ^

I agree that Borges made some nice adjustments in the 2nd half that seemed to be working.  That said, however, he stopping using them for some unknown reason.  And to make matter more completely fucking insane, we were gifted a muffed punt deep in Nebraska's zone, and he calls not one, but TWO running plays and makes no effort to try to get the ball down field.  One, and I would have been a bit ticked as it would basically be a wasted down.  But after the second one every ounce of support that I had for Borges evaportated.  Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if that series of plays becomes the spark that forces Hoke to fire Borges.

As a former apologist, I know perfectly well about the young OL, the lack of depth, etc. But, calling those two plays at that time has NOTHING whatsoever to do with either of those things.  I just don't understand.  After last week, after all the failed rushes in this game, and after all the crap blocking this season, AND given the situation, why for the love of God would you call those two plays.  It almost makes me feel like he is a spy being paid off by MSU and OSU to tank Michigan offense.  It's uncanny how bad those two play calls were. 

Joined: 11/16/2009

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robpollard

November 9th, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^

Hoke has predicated his whole philosophy on manball. Running the ball so consistently on first down, even when the avg play nets negative yardage is directly from his philosophy.

So unless he goes to some mountaintop, meditates, and realizes he needs to be flexible and do whatever it takes to win (in terms of playcalling, e.g., throwing the ball 50 times a game), why would he fire Borges? He's doing what Hoke wants.

I think it will be up to (shudder) DB to lay the smack down. I don't know if Brady has it in him, by himself.

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