A Fairly Simple Calculus
Over the next few days, all of us will struggle to boil this latest debacle down to the essential questions. Mine comes down to this: is the talent being coached? Is it reaching its potential? If our squads match everyone in the B1G's for talent, why aren't we winning?
It is easy to say, in the wake of such losses--humiliation piling on humiliation--that it is not the coach's fault if the players do not perform. I would beg to differ. At some point, in deciding whether to cut our losses with Hoke, we have to ask: if our recruiting is strong is that translating to success on the field?
AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO LAY THE BLAME FOR POOR PERFORMANCE ON COACHING, stop blaming the kids.
Hoke isn't going anywhere at the moment. But this is a low-water mark, another in a lengthening list of them. And our record has worsened over three seasons as we moved from RichRod's much-maligned players to Hoke's.
If Hoke is an inspiring figure, a leader, we are either going to see it over the rest of the season. THE TIME IS NOT NEXT YEAR BUT NOW. I don't see how, by any rational calculus, he has more time than that.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
You are spot on! MSU last year would blitz continously and you could count on the DBs jamming at the line of scrimmage and not giving up the inside position. Why is this concept so hard to absorb! The goal is to disrupt the route, thus allowing the blitz to get home!
September 7th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 11:27 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
While they may have performed worst than any Oline in the last 10 years they had superior talent to the 2008 line. With the way last night went this year's line might take that title from them.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 2:41 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
Michigan is 3-7 in their last 10. That's a Rich Rod run......
— jamie mac (@justcoverblog) September 7, 2014
UM is averaging 8.4 points per game in their last 5 Rivalry Games on the road. 10 straight TD-less quarters. TD-less in 16 of 20 Qs total.
— jamie mac (@justcoverblog) September 7, 2014
Michigan is 11-10 since Denard Robinson stopped being their QB and #1 offensive weapon. On a 16-4 run before that with him.
— jamie mac (@justcoverblog) September 7, 2014
September 7th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
The middle one is a bit cringeworthy admittedly.
We've changed OCs (trying not to judge Nussmeier by previous seasons, of course), so it was difficult to know offensively what would happen based on the Appalachian State game (though we did what we should have done in that game), but 289 yards and zero points to show for it is a bit disappointing, to say the least. Not exactly how I would have liked to see this rivalry end. My hope is that this game, at least offensively, was growing pains, but we'll see, I suppose.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
My point wasn't that previous losses are on Nussmeier, of course, or that there is no hope for the future -- I like the idea of growing pains --, but rather that the anger and exasperation on the board isn't just the result of the Notre Dame game. The program is sliding (in terms of the on-field product) and has been since Denard got hurt and then graduated. It's true that the Notre Dame loss was "just one game" but it's also true that it is part of a broader pattern of suck.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
in the balance, not the team's.
September 7th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^
OK so 2 games in you want the coach out, fine. The whole staff or just Hoke?
Who are you going to replace him with?
And don't f-ing say Harbaugh. He's not coming here.
Who is going to want to come here after the pitchfork crowd forces out a coach after 2 games?
Lastly, some perspective:
Michigan ranking in total defense,
2010: 110th Rodriguez/Robinson
2011: 17th Hoke/Mattison
September 7th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 8:43 PM ^
Firebreathing, capricious pitchfork carriers, most of our problems are on o. We brought Nuss in less than100 practices ago at your behest. Transitions hurt. IF the team is not better by the end of the year, THEN we can talk about coaching changes. Hell, most of you ordained Nuss as Hoke's replacement in January!
September 7th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^
successful at Michigan. Your implied argument is that "There's no one else so let's just stay the course." Blagh.
Ohio State found a great--if ethically challenged coach--at the FCS level. Great coaches are to be found in many places. The hard part is in identfying those coaches. That's where you need a good athletic director.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
"great"
"ethically challenged"
Sorry, those are not the same thing
September 7th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
ability, the other a personal characteristic in how he performs his job.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
For years many Michigan fans have been hoping that Dantonio and/or Narduzzi would get hired away because they seem capable of overachieving their talent level. Pretty much all of our rivals hope that Hoke will continue to be our coach so that we will continue to underachieve our talent level. Isn't that really all you need to know?
Also, as our talent level and depth has improved, our results have gotten worse. How is that not coaching related? Even though I want him fired today, you have to take a look at how the season develops before making such a drastic change. If we do make a change, however, you back up as many truckloads of money as it takes to get your preferred candidate, and not another bargain hire just because he is a "Michigan Man." The fact that we got Hoke while OSU got Meyer (ethical issues aside), puts us at a coaching disadvantage. Also, if we do make a change, the new coach has to be such a great hire that there is no attrition because people are excited about the new coach.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
That is the truth! Every MSU and OSU person that I know makes the same comment. They all want him to keep coaching, because Michigan has become a cakewalk form their teams! Didn't Urban say last year something to the effect that MSU was the bigger threat to OSU than Michigan. He was right on point!
September 7th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
If I remember correctly we were in the 80's for total defense? I could be wrong
September 7th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^
Why are you listing 2011? That was three years ago, and we've pretty much sucked since then. Also, it's Hoke's fourth year, not sure why you're focusing on "two games"...
September 7th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^
Re: Morris
The guy has 0 career touchdowns vs. 3 interceptions thrown. Gardner isn't a great decision maker, but when he has a DL in his face a fraction of a second after the ball is snapped then he doesn't stand much of a chance.
Ed: Response to Morris over Gardner
September 7th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
Name me one position GROUP (not player) we have a better unit than MSU
They have like 5 WRs, we have the better ONE not group.
TE if Butt was 100% is maybe a wash.
Nothing on defense do we have better. I thought our LBs would be better - they are not. Jake Ryan seems lost now and regressed. Countess seems lost and regressed. Our DL was horrid yesterday against a good not great OL.
Who has the better coaching staff?
Where is the game played? Tell me Hoke's record on the road versus teams with a heartbeat
If anyone here seriously thinks we are going to MSU against a top 10 team and winning I have a lemon farm for you. MSU >>> ND. And they hate us far more than ND.
September 7th, 2014 at 1:08 PM ^
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September 7th, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^
You got all confident because we beat App St.? We crushed Central last year in the opener. Same thing. I wasn't the least bit impressed or excited after last week. We re like the Lions now. It's funny at this point listening to all the belly aching, just like after all Lions games.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^
right, and to see how important recruting really is, look at the basketball team
September 7th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
What is the best win Michigan football has had under Hoke? Nebraska in 2011?
September 7th, 2014 at 1:51 PM ^
was the best. First and only time in a loooong time. i know, i know, Fickell, Tresselgate, bla bla, but man it felt good to beat them.
September 7th, 2014 at 12:32 PM ^
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September 7th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
This team can still wini 9 or 10 this year. Statistically, though it is unlikely, it can still win 14. This offense only works when you have more talent than the other guy, but Michigan will be in that situation at least 7 more times this year. The team can also improve as the year goes on . We just don't know.
September 7th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^
The problem is a coach who shows zero intestity or interest. He looks apathetic at times and uninvolved. When a guy fucks up, get in his face. We all make fun of Kelly being purple and yellling and screaming but guess what....it works? Meyer, Saban, etc. aren't afraid to get in a guy's face. This is high level football, not goddamn Pop Warner clapping and butt slaps only get you so far.
Who is a big improvement over Hoke though? Harbaugh doesn't seem realistic. Is Les Miles a stop gap until we bring in someone who can take over for a long time? Neither are well liked in the AD so I don't think they would happen. Sumlin is king in Texas right now. He doesn't have to leave the state to fill his class with elite talent if he wants. Saban ain't leaving. Shaw? I'm struggling to think of names. anyone got any more?
September 7th, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^
People are all different. It's like with kids. If you yell and scream at them, some respond, some start crying uncontrollably. I think the players (and kids) respond to coaches who are serious (regardless of style).
BTW, I don't think Saban goes nuclear on players (at least on camera).
September 7th, 2014 at 2:18 PM ^
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September 7th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
September 7th, 2014 at 2:55 PM ^
People keep yammering about how the pool of coaching candidates will be woefully thin at year's end. But, really, nobody knows which coaches will be available at that time. Seasons get derailed; coaches get restless or resentful; money talks. By November, in all likelihood, a few more solid candidates will be available.
The trick is to just not wait until very late in the cycle before making the change, as Brandon did last time around. By the time he pulled the trigger, all the top candidates were off the board, and it was too late to reassemble a good recruiting class. (Yes, I realize he may well have been waiting on Harbaugh, who may well have gone back on his word to Brandon. But a good AD doesn't get left holding the bag.)
September 7th, 2014 at 3:00 PM ^
My two cents - keep Hoke through this year. He is then immediately eligible to be fired from the start of the 2015 season at any point. Then, after the 2015 season, a serious evaluation needs to occur on whether to keep him. In fact, I suggest we actively publicize that we are looking at other guys after this season is over to somehow motivate Hoke et al. that the time for success is now. The core of Hoke's recruiting classes (starting with 2012) will be seniors or redshirt juniors in 2015 - no excuses.