Is Hoke a good evaluator of talent?
Let's not forget that he worked out Jake Ryan while at SDSU and decided not to offer him a scholarship. 5 years later he's arguably the best player on Michigan's entire roster (except for maybe Funchess). What did he miss with Ryan? And what did he see with his O-line recruits that wasn't really there? Is he just relying on others' evaluations and the length of a recruit's offer sheet to decide if they're worthy of an offer?
September 8th, 2014 at 2:48 PM ^
Well, some of those guys (like Shields) they picked up in trades because of that farm system.
The issue seems to be player development (if anything), not recruiting. Personally I don't know how good of a coach Hoke is as a developer of talent, but he definitely brings in the type you need to win with.
September 8th, 2014 at 4:05 PM ^
I don't think his evaluation of talent can be questioned. His class rankings when he can get a full class is always in the top 10 in the nation.
The questions looming now is if Hoke and co., specifically on offense, can develop these highly touted kids into NFL prospects.
September 8th, 2014 at 5:20 PM ^
More troubling and a better question is this...Is Dave Brandon a good evaluator of talent.?
IfIf he is not, and there is no indication he is, then he will stick with a coach who has shown no indication that he has the ability to improve the product on the field. If DB does not think his guy is the best man for the job it is unfair to saddle those kids with that disadvantage.
September 8th, 2014 at 5:21 PM ^
September 8th, 2014 at 6:10 PM ^
Irrelevant argument. What matters is if he has a better recruiting and coaching resume than hypothetical next Michigan coach.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:38 PM ^
September 8th, 2014 at 5:38 PM ^
Hoke's recruiting?
Don't Mattison and Manning basically do that? They are the ones mentioned by our recruits 9 times out of 10.
Off the top of my head, Hoke recruited Mone.
September 8th, 2014 at 6:05 PM ^
He was the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Notre Dame for eight years under Bob Davie and Ty Willingham. The team went 56-40. He was also in charge for the disastrous 2004 recruiting class there which laid the groundwork for the 3-9 season under Charlie Weis and got Willingham fired. There is no evidence he knows how to build a championship caliber team either.
September 12th, 2014 at 6:12 PM ^
Mattison' s return on his time investments is different issue.
I.m just noticing who's being identified as the deal-sealer by the kids.
and, I may be wrong, but would it be Heck (as recruiting coordinator) who sends out offers or "shows interest"?
Basically, what does Hoke have to do with recruiting other than employ these other guys and eat tons of sausage at the Mone household?
I'm a Bob, asking Lumberg, "what is it exactly that you say you do here?"
September 8th, 2014 at 5:42 PM ^
Those who rate recruiting say that Hoke is doing a great job of evaluating talent. Whether it's Brandon or Hoke "pulling the strings," the real problem has been getting the best out of that talent.
September 8th, 2014 at 5:51 PM ^
I think he can identify talent and has the persona to pull in the highly rated classes as he's done the last few years. The problem is when the kids arrive on campus. Its either a coaching issue, a S&C issue, or both. I see lots of bad technique all over the field - pad level on O/D lines, corners not looking back for the ball, blown lane assignments, missing cutback lanes, etc....
I don't think there is a lack of talent on the roster.... Now how the talent is utilized or coached up, well that might be the problem. Yes, Devin had a TO fest against ND, but he's whirly twirly in the pocket anymore, he's stepping up. Reason? Nuss is teaching him the right way.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:06 PM ^
I sometimes wonder the same thing about Hoke and evaluating talent, but for me, it's his own roster.
How does Brennen Beyer continue to start and get starter reps when he's undersized and not strong enough?
How does Jack Miller start at center when App State's DL manhandled him in iso block situations, then ND's DL beat the hell out of him?
How does the DL continue to rotate lesser talented players at the expense of better ones who then lose the opportunity to matchup with the same OL again and again and try to figure out his weaknesses?
Hoke gets kids with offers from other powerhouse programs to come to UM, then who knows what the hell happens.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:10 PM ^
ND's Greg Bryant was in the same class as Green, and ranked slightly below him. Watching them both in person, Bryant is light years ahead of Green in development--physically and technically. He's much faster, stronger, makes better decisions, cuts, etc.
I was at the ND/Rice game and was amazed by him. When I watched the Michigan/App state game that I DVR'd, I was excited because I heard all the buzz about our offense. I didn't understand the hype. The majority of our yards were from bad app state reads or missed tackles. How many times were green or smith caught from behind by app state safeties and cornerbacks? Why has justice Hayes shown flashes of greatness on the field but remained at third string? He was a huge grab coming out of high school yet has done nothing... This staff cannot develop talent. It's obvious.
September 8th, 2014 at 7:08 PM ^
September 8th, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 9th, 2014 at 8:41 AM ^
September 9th, 2014 at 8:45 AM ^
compared to you...he's amazing. That's why you're posting on a message board and he's getting paid to evaluate talent.