When did Hoke lose you?
Simple question. I know, timing is weird with us having one last shot at salvaging a bowl game but the situation only embigens the question.
For me, the first dent in the armor was Penn State last year where it seemed like the coaching staff lost us the game. That was the first time I wondered if we had the right guys in charge.
The final nail in the coffin was Utah, which in hindsight doesn't look quite as bad but in context was unbearable.
But I think he lost me during the bowl game last year. Again, another loss that looks a little better in hindsight. But the team that showed up at that bowl game looked uninspired and unprepared. Sort of set the tone for all of 2014. Also, was the impetus for my username (and also explanation for the spelling--alcohol).
November 19th, 2014 at 1:02 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:28 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:30 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:31 PM ^
When we got curb stomped by Notre Dame
November 18th, 2014 at 7:31 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:31 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:32 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:34 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 18th, 2014 at 7:36 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:36 PM ^
As others have pointed out the misuse if Denard was also a big one, but I kept holding onto hope until the shutout.
November 18th, 2014 at 7:37 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:38 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:38 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:44 PM ^
Notre Dame had me thinking that he was a lost cause. But Minnesota put me in the "100% I'm not coming back" camp. I don't think I've ever seen a more clueless display of head coaching at the 1A level. (Edit: Sorry, forgot about Bobby Williams. That might be a tie)
He just shows absolutely no awareness of anything that is happening on the field in front on him.
November 18th, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^
After the OSU game I thought he could pull of some solid momentum for the bowl game as well as the 14 season. However after watching the team looked so unprepared against a middle of the road B12 team, my doubts were cemented. I really questioned him during the UConn, Akron, PSU, and MSU games, but the KSU game was a dud. I got bad vibes from the Brandon manifesto, and once isaw the performance in the bowl game I was done. Although to be fair, I was never in love with him.
November 18th, 2014 at 7:44 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 18th, 2014 at 7:47 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:52 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:52 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:54 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 7:54 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:29 PM ^
Not to nitpick, but how do you know Harbaugh has less integrity than Hoke? I understand with Miles, plus he is probably one of the most overrated coaches, but that is another matter. I'll admit to be being skeptical by such Michigan making such an underwhelming hire in Hoke, but he has done a poor job and the team has declined as it has transitioned from Rich Rod's guys to Hoke's players. I remember bragging to my OSU buddy about how Michigan had recruited all these top notch players, especially on the O-line, yet that talent has developed like a plant put into a pot full of alcohol--looks completely wilted.
The Notre Dame game was the last straw--there is no reason for Michigan to lay a goose egg against the Domers. Ironic that Charlie Weis was on the receiving end of a similar score--who, like Hoke, excelled at recruiting but was poor at player development. Michigan shouldn't repeat Notre Dame's mistake by continuing with a coach who can't execute. Hoke has earned his firing.
November 19th, 2014 at 7:39 AM ^
November 19th, 2014 at 9:12 AM ^
Yeah.
A great guy who had no problem participating in Brandon's little cover-up of Morris' concussion.
So great.
November 18th, 2014 at 7:54 PM ^
I actually thought we were going to have a great team this year, with Devin a 5th year senior, Jake and Frank Clark, Jabrill.... obviously I was drinking the cool-aid. Hoke's immature and insolent demeanor in his press conferences really bugged me all this year. But then after the Rutgers game, he actually said -- the Michigan head coach! -- that he was proud of the guys for their effort. Michigan lost to Rutgers, and he was proud of their effort. Obviously, he is team mom rather than head coach. No wonder he was so popular as a position coach. He has never made the leap to head coach. Now I can't stand even to see him. Very sad.
November 18th, 2014 at 7:58 PM ^
The Penn State game last year started to solidify my concerns and the ND and Minnesota games this year finished me off.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:02 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:03 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:03 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:05 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^
Not having developed a backup quarterback that was even remotely competent.
Something that we then saw repeated over the past two seasons, showing that it wasn't a one-time aberration.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:10 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:59 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:22 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:41 PM ^
Of course, Hoke didn't notice. He lost me completely right then (though I still clung to hope for 2014).
November 18th, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^
Hoke has done plenty of things wrong at Michigan, but I commend him for having the balls to go for the win that day. Would've gone down as the biggest upset in the history of the rivalry. Yes. Bigger than '69.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 18th, 2014 at 8:13 PM ^
I loved Hoke in 2011.
I started to question him in 2012 with his deployment of Denard.
I seriously doubted him last year as it appeared that he agreed w/Al's work.
I crossed the line, agreeing that he is problem during ND, Utah, & Minny.
With that being said, I will be there on Saturday, screaming my face off, raising my fist in the air on Hail! Pulling for Brady coach his boys into bowl eligibilty.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:19 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:29 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:32 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:33 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:38 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:40 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:42 PM ^
I was willing to let him impress me, though.
I was not impressed. They seemed to win in 2011 despite him, not because of him. He and Borges never did figure our how to use Denard properly, which made me question his abilities as a coach.
As the team rapidly regressed in the following years, it was clear Hoke was in over his head. I knew he wasn't going to last long.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:43 PM ^
Minnesota. I was at the game with a friend who's a Minny fan. Michigan looked like the Northwestern teams from the seventies.