Monday Presser 10-6-14: Brady Hoke Comment Count

Adam Schnepp

Hoke presser 2

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News bullets and other items:

  • Derrick Green broke his clavicle and is out for the season
  • No update on Jabrill Peppers or Desmond Morgan, which only means they haven’t been ruled out for the rest of the year /waves world’s tiniest flag
  • The coaches spoke to the Big Ten about Amara Darboh’s catch that was ruled an incompletion. Hoke doesn’t seem to agree with what they were told, but said there’s no reason to dwell on what can’t be changed
  • Shane Morris is practicing

Opening Remarks:

“Alright, thanks for coming out. Number one, on Saturday I thought our guys were united. I thought they played hard together. I thought they fought, and sometimes that doesn't guarantee you anything but their effort as a team was something I was proud of, and I was proud of those kids. I know I said that on Saturday, but that hasn't changed. Sometimes fighting alone doesn't get a victory, but I think we need to change those results and execute a little better, coach a little better. It always starts with me and us. There was some good progress that was made and we want to really emphasize those things.

“Yesterday we didn't practice and that was already determined we weren't going to. We got back at– I don't know. I got home at 4:15 so I'm sure they got home late. We wanted to give them rest because rest will help you heal. We had good meetings yesterday. I think from the standpoint of corrections and emphasizing the things we want to see repeated I think were important.

“You know I don't talk about injuries unless a guy is going to miss the year, and unfortunately that's what Derrick Green – he broke his clavicle late in the football game. Nice run on our sidelines, but Derrick's attitude is very good. He knows there’s an expectation of him to help coach those young guys and coach guys and be integral and what we’re trying to get done. And so we are going to miss him, but DeVeon and Justice Hayes and Drake Johnson are three guys who need to step up, and two of them are guys that have a lot of game experience and played a lot of plays, so [we] feel good about that. And we’ll miss Derrick, but this is like anything else in competition in sports; the next man's got to stand up.”

[After THE JUMP: try to read the tea leaves]

This is related; it might be injury related. DeVeon went down, too, in that game. Will he be ready to go on Saturday?

“Remember, I would only discuss injuries that were going to be here long.”

We haven’t seen Desmond [Morgan] since Appalachian State. Should we expect him to-

“I will only discuss injuries that are year-long. Thank you, though.”

Could you update us on the status of Jabrill Peppers?

“Okay. I guess we don't listen well.”

That's not an injury question.

“Well…”

Can you talk about Devin Gardner and what he did Saturday night, and he is your starting quarterback for Saturday?

“Yes.”

And where is Shane on that depth chart?

“Shane’s practicing. Devin is the starting quarterback. I thought Devin from the standpoint of running the offense, I thought on some explosive plays that he ran, I thought he ran hard, with a purpose. I thought he did a nice job. We had a little, I think, mix-up on a route with the interception but overall, number one, I thought his leadership was outstanding. When you're on the sidelines and the energy and all those things, he did a tremendous job. We’re pleased with the progress that he made Saturday, and we expect more progress this week.”

The play by Amara Darboh that was ruled an incompletion after review; has it been submitted to the Big Ten for review or have you been in touch with the conference yet?

“Yeah. We talked yesterday and have spoken to the right people, the appropriate people. I think we might see it differently, but at the same time that play is over with, and like I told the team yesterday anything that happened on Saturday night is things that we've got to move forward because we start to focus on Penn State.”

Justice [Hayes] did some nice things for you Saturday night. We’ve seen a little bit of him. We’ve not seen that much of Drake [Johnson]. Can you talk a little about, with them moving up the depth chart, what people will see from those two?

“Justice, he's primarily been a very good third-down back or when you get in those situations where from a protection standpoint – I do think Derrick and DeVeon are getting closer with that standpoint but I think Justice gives you something there. I think his ability out of the backfield has been good. He's a different style of runner where Drake is probably a combination of somewhere with Derrick and Justice as far as when you see his ability and his quickness in the hole.”

With Drake, he was No. 2 on the depth chart last year before his injury. You guys talked a lot about him preseason, but we haven’t seen much of him. What’s maybe held him back, and what areas of progress have you seen?

“Well, I think we talk about compete and challenge and there's always that. Not that he wasn't competing or challenging but as you go through practice and the execution of everything, we just thought needed [to be] cleaned up a little bit.”

But he’s made progress?

He has. There's no question about it.”

Going back to Derrick a little bit, he had two of his runs that looked like some of his best runs since he’s been here. How big of a loss is he for the offense, and what are your thoughts about the running backs without him moving forward?

“I'm very confident in the three guys that will be doing most of the work as a running back. I'm highly confident of what they bring and what they can do. When you lose anybody–we've lost guys who have been on our scout team that you can't afford to lose because they give you such a good look, so is Derrick important? Yeah. Are we going to miss him? Sure we are, but that's why there’s 105 guys, 115 guys on this team and you've got to step in when your opportunity comes and make the most of it.”

MGoQuestion: With about 11 minutes left in the second quarter Rutgers punted-

“11 minutes left in the second quarter…”

MGoNowWe’reOnTheSamePage: Yep. Rutgers punted and Michigan had 10 men on the field to return- [Ed: thanks to Shop Smart Shop S-Mart for pointing this out]

“Yep, that was during the time where we were going to put the defense back out on the field in a safe punt kind of deal or were we going to go with our punt return group, and we decided to go with our punt return group and one individual didn't get that.”

Talk a little bit about Jourdan Lewis and his development over the last couple of years; what he’s learned and how he’s gotten better.

“Well, I think the one thing with JD is he's a consummate technique guy. We’ll get done with practice and he'll stay out there and just work with him and Terry Richardson will work through releases. His leadership is really developing. I think we think from that standpoint you're getting more from him. He's got a good burst from the physical aspect of it. There's a lot of things that he does awfully well that – he's got that make-up speed to some degree and that quickness. I think technique-wise he's improved immensely. I think the maturity and the maturation process is a big part of that and I can't say enough about how he's been for us. He's been very solid for us.”

Beyond the wins and losses, if you look at your expectations heading into the year are there areas where you haven’t met them or exceeded them as a team?

“Well, our expectations every year are – I think you always have an expectation to win in every game. I think you have an expectation, and we still always will, of winning the Big Ten championship. Have we played as well as a team on every Saturday? No. And do we need to keep coaching harder? Yes. Do we need to coach better? Yes. But from a standpoint of a team that's stood together and worked extremely hard every day and like working hard for each other, there's progress that's been made. Now, we got to go out and win.”

Did Kalis just beat out Magnuson there at that guard spot, or is Magnuson hurt?

“I think Kalis has played good football. I think he's done a nice job how he's responded. The commitment level that he made really since January has really shown itself.”

So he just won that job, and those are the five you’re comfortable with?

“Well, right now that's the five we’re playing with.”

Brady, shifting to this weekend’s game; given the recent events, the protest and everything, are you worried about fan attendance for Under the Lights?

“Uh, no.”

A twist on that approach; night games are designed to have a different feel to them and the excitement. What would it mean to these kids right now for a pretty whipped up crowd on Saturday night?

“Yeah, you took a different side to it. I think you're right. I think it will be – that environment I don't think is like any other. We’ve played enough night games at other places, and the environment that we’ve had here, there isn’t any question [that] it amps your players up because of that environment and we’re excited about it. We’ve got great fans, and they’re fans with high expectations. Well, they should be and we feel the same way.”

With DeVeon, I think he’s only had one game with double-digit carries in his career. Is he capable of taking on a heavier load? Can he be a more every-down type back right now?

“Yeah. I know he carried the ball in high school 40-some times in a game against their lead rival, and I know it’s high school but it’s still a guy carrying it. How many snaps he gets during the course of the week, how he practices and all those things- I think he’s more than capable of it.”

Brady, how did the Big Ten explain that rule to you? Is it the finish the catch rule? Is that what they talked about?

“Yeah. There’s three phases to it, and sometimes that’s subjective of what phases you think were done properly and what weren’t. But we talked about it and number one, it can’t change anything. And so to spend a lot of time going back and talking about that distracts from what’s important, and that’s going back and getting our kids ready to play Penn State.”

You said you didn’t practice yesterday but you said Shane’s practicing, so he practiced last week a little bit?

“I’m sorry.”

You didn’t practice yesterday but you said Shane’s practicing. Does that mean he practiced last week a little bit or…?

“He’s practicing.”

We talked a little bit about Devin earlier and just how he’s hung in there. Have you noticed a change in him since you sat him down, or is it the same Devin?

“I think the maturity Devin’s gone through over the course of three years, three and a half years- I just think he keeps growing. He keeps growing as a person and evolving as a quarterback, and so from that standpoint I couldn’t be more pleased than to see how he worked last week, how he supported Shane all during that week that he wasn’t the starter.”

 

I just wanted to go back to the 10 men on the field-

“I’m sure you do. Go ahead.”

You’ve had a couple instances of this. What concerns you most? Is it not getting communication? Is it coaching?

“Well, I think it’s both, and it’s more coaching and that’s on me. The other thing I would say is it’s got to be something where we do a better job, and we’ve got to be locked in to doing a better job.”

Just for you personally, how are you able to separate this? You have the football, [but] how does a coach in your position separate all the media attention, some of the negativity, and just being Brady Hoke? How do you separate the two?

“I think I am. I don’t know if I separate it. I don’t know if I quite understand. We’ve got great support here. We’ve got great kids here.”

As far as leaving work at work is where I’m going with that. Are you able to do that?

“I don’t think I’ve ever done that. We get about two weeks in the summer where you try and not take your cell phone and that’s about it. That’s just the way of the beat, and it’s not a beast. It’s fun. I get to help mentor kids. And I’ve got good support at home. Mrs. Hoke is a very good coach’s wife.”

Can you clarify- I know you don’t talk injuries, but-

“Correct.”

Is Magnuson not- did he not earn this because he’s injured and Kalis earned the spot at guard, or-

“I think they’re two really good football players that we’re glad they’re on our team.”

So you’re not saying anything.

“I didn’t say anything, I don’t think.”

It’s like reading tea leaves.

“Yeah. You might be good at that.”

“Alright guys, thank you very much. Thank you.”

Comments

Shop Smart Sho…

October 6th, 2014 at 8:47 PM ^

It wasn't banter when they led off with all of the questions about injuries, he was annoyed.

The follow-up about Kalis and Magnuson bugged him.

He was pretty light-hearted when he gave the "Uh, no." answer though.

When Angelique went back to the punt thing, he was not happy about it.

And that stuff at the end when someone asks him to clarify, you can tell he was happy he was about to leave.  He was not joking around.

UMForLife

October 6th, 2014 at 6:54 PM ^

Don't ask him any questions. Let him leave after his opening remark. What is the point? He has no shame saying the same thing for 3 years and not show some passion.

Good God!

Brick

October 6th, 2014 at 6:57 PM ^

Does anyone know if other coaches come off this bad at press conferences?  I thought Brady's best quality was that he was supposed to be likeable.  If I was a reporter I would despise this guy.

I understand not getting into specifics about an injury but this is a joke.  Just let the reporters know if Kalis won the job.

robpollard

October 6th, 2014 at 7:07 PM ^

His answer about Drake Johnson (which was a good question about why we haven't seen him so far) was sheer nonsense:

“Well, I think we talk about compete and challenge and there's always that. Not that he wasn't competing or challenging but as you go through practice and the execution of everything, we just thought needed [to be] cleaned up a little bit.” 

Sentence one: Drake is not competing or challenging, which would indicate a lack of effort or committment.

Sentence two: Hold up -- contrary to his first sentence, Drake actually was "competing" and "challenging" but he needs to clean up his "execution" -- which as we know is a catch-all term that means nothing. Maybe Drake wasn't running the plays right, or maybe it was something else. Who knows?

Ugh.

 

 

HANCOCK

October 6th, 2014 at 7:17 PM ^

The Peppers/Morgan situation is by far the strangest part of this whole mess. Like, I know Hoke is probably gone and could care less, but it is like he is trying to make Peppers want to transfer. Such a shame. 

You Only Live Twice

October 6th, 2014 at 7:22 PM ^

Does anyone know if Peppers can get the medical redshirt - apologize if this has been answered in other threads.  I know that Hoke won't discuss it but I wondered if it was still a possibility...

pearlw

October 6th, 2014 at 9:25 PM ^

He played in 3 games..did not play vs ND, Minn, or Rutgers. If he didnt play again and they were able to supprt the injury with sufficient documentation, then yes he could get an medical redshirt. Im not sure its that important unless you think Peppers will be around for a 5th year.



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Princetonwolverine

October 6th, 2014 at 7:27 PM ^

Three questions to ask.

1. If a player plays poorly you  expect the next guy to "step up". Does this apply to head coaches? 

2. How's that Big Ten Championship thingy working out?

3. How about you stay home and have Mrs. Hoke give this a try?

Plankton

October 6th, 2014 at 7:30 PM ^

Was the big emphasis after the Morris fiasco, why is hoke still struggling with to communicate on the sidelines. The fact that he used this as an excuse for only playing with 10 men again shows what a farce it was for himself and DB to point to that as the lesson learned last week.

Mazzy

October 7th, 2014 at 4:35 AM ^

I noticed that too and was scrolling through these comments to see if anyone else read what I read or at least interpreted that as another lapse in communication at the sidelines, as I did.

At this point I don't know if a headset would be totally helpful just because Hoke seems to show (me) that there is more stubbornness in his personality than rationality. I don't know that he'd even pay attention to what anyone was communicating to him through his headset with regard to a player that looks wobbly or changing up a play, etc. but at least I think it would help with things like "hey coach, you only have ten guys on the field - again."

CriticalFan

October 6th, 2014 at 7:36 PM ^

About the punt...

Coach indecision until almost too late for the moment, panic decision, blame the 11th player for his not being coached before or during the 4th down.

What class.

The press conference has changed though. No more "the expectation is for the position". Maybe there are no expectations....

umumum

October 6th, 2014 at 7:57 PM ^

so would Hoke answer if he was asked whether a player was practicing rather than whether he was injured?  Based on his comment about Morris, it suggests he would--or did he simply not understand that this was essentially the same thing as saying he wasn't "injured".  

And Hoke is also "not talking" about controversial plays and calls.

Really, what is the point to these? Somehow Beilein manages to hold these in a professional manner--without being antagonistic or giving away secrets.  Hell, he even lets the players talk with the press--virtually unfettered.

btn

October 6th, 2014 at 7:57 PM ^

What exactly does Hoke think he can gain from intentionally being a prick during pressers?  I mean at this point he seems to be going out of his way to be a turd, and lets be honest....it can't be much fun to be a beat writer and have to spend your Saturdays watching this stinker of  a season so far.  

Leonhall

October 6th, 2014 at 8:10 PM ^

It's obvious hoke is feeling the pressure and has been for awhile. I remember the giddy hoke a couple years ago, he has withered away to a grumpy version who will probably explode soon. It's like he is being a smart ass to the media because he knows he is in deep shit.



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State Street

October 6th, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^

Can someone grill this motherfucker at these things?  I mean seriously.

Hoke is an asshole to each and every one of these journos every week.  You figure they wouldn't just sit there and take it.  

might and main

October 6th, 2014 at 8:14 PM ^

he's just crushing that too. 

“Okay. I guess we don't listen well.”? 

Yah, kind of like you don't coach well. 

There are some swear words here I'd like to use, but gonna try not to.  For a while I was just disappointed and frustrated, but now I'm starting to get really angry, at Hoke personally.  His time here cannot end soon enough for me.

Good riddance, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Miles was right

October 6th, 2014 at 8:17 PM ^

So we need peppers, Morgan, green. All out indefinitely. WHAT. THE FUCK IS GOING ON.
Hey all the douchebags here who dissed Gittleson while promoting Barwis. Fuck. You.



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Sten Carlson

October 6th, 2014 at 8:35 PM ^

I think Hoke's attitude in pressers is hilarious, and how worked up so many of you guys get about it even MORE hilarious. It's almost as if the more pissed you guys get the more evasive and snarky Hoke gets.
I'm almost waiting for him to say, "you mad bro?"

You read, you whine, you demean, yet you come back every time. If it bothers you so much STOP READING HIS PRESSERS! You guys are like addicts, hoping that this next fix will give you what you need. You come crawling back every time -- so sad.

D.C.Blue

October 6th, 2014 at 11:07 PM ^

Here's the deal, fans of every team are rabid about information from pressers. If the team is performing at a level where there is hope of a conference championship, the front man can be evasive but with the product Hoke is putting out, it's difficult, at best, to excuse his tone and shear inability to give an answer that isn't complete nonsense. In today's market, feed the fans or don't, but do so at your own peril. We want answers and if his beloved tradition is so important, he should know that fan support and in turn his job is dependent on the product not the intent.



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Hail-Storm

October 7th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^

Fans show up and do their part by watching and cheering on the team.  "Coach" Hoke has shown no improvement in year 4 (actually a massive regression) and some of the worst play and coaching ever.  Why is it unreasonable that fans check in to see the coach address these issues? Why are the fans at fault for expecting the coach to have some answers to why the team is playing so poorly. 

Yes, when a coach is winning there is no need to answer the questions, because you won, what more needs to be asked. But when you are losing, and losing in such a poor fashion, then yes, the fans are looking for an answer.  And this whole crap about how IS providing answers if you read between the lines is bullshit. Hoke is supposedly a straight up nice guy who gives it to you straight.  If he is the guy all these people tell us he is, then he can provide these answers.

Again, this is another example of him not caring at all about the fans. I never figured him as being so arrogant that he would take the fans for granted.

buckeyejonross

October 6th, 2014 at 10:36 PM ^

The least you can do when you suck at everything is butter up the only people in position to broadcast your sucking to the masses. Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel.

ckersh74

October 6th, 2014 at 10:43 PM ^

I know we covered this before, but this answer caught my attention:

“Okay. I guess we don't listen well.” 

Ummmm...when you're 2-4, and about 6 weeks from getting shitcanned (at best), you're just about the LAST person that is in any position to be making comments like this. At that point, you're just asking for it. And when you're having a horseshit season, like he is right now, you're giving the media the ability to absolutely bury you.

ckersh74

October 6th, 2014 at 10:49 PM ^

P.S. This one wasn't much better, either:

 

I just wanted to go back to the 10 men on the field-

“I’m sure you do. Go ahead.”

 

Right about now, it be almost (ALMOST!) worth it to have Rob Parker back in the local media. Yes, I've lost my mind. 

Bando Calrissian

October 6th, 2014 at 10:52 PM ^

If you don't want to answer questions, don't have a press conference. There's being obtuse, there's going for the gamesmanship angle, and then there's being a complete asshole who wants the press to know he's not interested in helping them do their job by actually doing his job. This is egregious.