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

Adam Schnepp

Hoke presser 2

file

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

Chris S

October 6th, 2014 at 11:04 PM ^

I honestly feel bad for coaches sometimes. It's gotta be annoying to get asked the same freaking questions over and over again. Plus having some random person interview you before you talk to your team at halftime. Imagine getting questioned about everything for your schoolwork or your job. 9 times out of 10 reporters seem to just be looking for quotes to run away with.

Bando Calrissian

October 6th, 2014 at 11:28 PM ^

Except all of those things are part of Hoke's job. Unlike your schoolwork or most people working a normal 9-to-5, coaching a college football team is a public position that requires interaction with the press. 

What Hoke seems to be forgetting is being combative with the press to the point of being disrespectful is a really easy way to get people who could very well be in your corner to write about your program in a negative light. Lloyd was notoriously prickly with the press, but he (for the most part) never wasted their time or openly disrespected them, Todd Harris excepted. When he retired, the press gave him a freaking standing ovation.

Head coaches write journalists' stories for them. These questions, almost without exception, are asked with a specific story in mind. Writers know what quotes they need, and the coach gives them a few sound bites to plug in. When Hoke talks back, refuses to answer, or answers in a way that almost ignores the question they actually asked, he's setting himself up to be torpedoed.

Like it or not, journalists are a conduit between the program and its fanbase. It behooves Hoke to treat them well, or at the bare minimum, with at least a modicum of respect. Unfortunately, he almost never does. And that's a problem if you want to coach a football team.

Kfojames

October 7th, 2014 at 12:02 AM ^

Couldn't have said it better! It's a common fact that players will emulate their coach/leader. It goes back to what I said 3-4 weeks ago. There is no emotion there is no passion, there is no intensity there is no reverential aura about Hoke. He may as well be working the toll booth on the jersey turnpike. That's the kind of emotion that comes from him. Not the type of attitude that should be coming from a guy who said he would've walked to AA from southern Cali. I'm not saying that all coaches that are successful at this level are crazy intense but I think it's the case more times than not. Even coaches where emotion isn't pouring out of them if they have a reverential part about them that the players know that damn coach is kind of a badass and is going to goto bat for us and holds us to an elite level and if we fail to bring it on game day he's going to be pissed. Hoke is like a damn bump on a log. He is lifeless. No emotion, no control.. Nothing! It leads me to believe that this is too much for him and should've been brought on as nothing more than a DL coach. I'm sorry I like Hoke but this is over his head and the players sense it.

AZ-Blue

October 7th, 2014 at 1:39 AM ^

More and more, Hoke looks worn out and on his last breath at these things as the noose gets tighter with each loss.  That bell tolling has got to keep him up nights.  It's true he's a nice guy and was part of a great D back in our NC years.  He needs another speaking adviser (and shit can Brandon's style) and let loose his reasonable side rather than trying to be combative and evasive.  He'd have most of us on his side, media included, if he would change his approach and at least try to be sincere.  That whole vinegar vs. honey thing couldn't be more true than where he is at right now.  His job's on the line - ditch the "daddy to my players" routine and "protect-at-all-costs" thing until you get back on track.  He's just digging his own grave at this point.

I refuse to believe he really is this big of a prick.  Somebody should bail him out and give some solid advice. .

uminks

October 7th, 2014 at 4:24 AM ^

All I remember is Hoke's first news conference where he said I was hired to win B1G championships and if I don't I should be fired' he's not even close winning the B1G!

Mazzy

October 7th, 2014 at 4:54 AM ^

I'm actually wondering about the reporters' seemingly lack of follow-ups. I don't know any of them; I've never followed pressers as closely as I do this season, I think because, like everyone else, I'm just looking for a few crumbs of info on the directional shift this program may take down the road; but there seems to be no 'hard hitting questions', and I'm curious as to why?

Is it because even the reporters have given up on getting anything out of Hoke so it's just a waste of their time? Is it because there is some kind of social contract there, where it is unacceptable to push/ask something like "you've been saying we need to 'do better', so exactly what actions do you plan to take to make those improvements?" Is it not okay to put a coach on the spot like that? I'm asking sincerely, because in real life I am a blunt (many times too blunt) person so I surely would fail miserably at the finesse a reporter has to sometimes use to get the answers they are looking for, but based on what I just read, it seems those questions aren't even being asked.

Year of Revenge II

October 7th, 2014 at 7:09 AM ^

Dude seems to have zero charisma, at least with the press and the public.  Didn't start out that way...anyone remember  This is Michigan?  Problem is, his low key, aw shucks style, like so many other styles, does not work well at all with L's.  Even worse with repetitive incompetence (10 men on field, blocked fg's, correctible errors that do not ever seem to get corrected).  

Hard to say or conclude with certainty what is going through Hoke's mind, or the minds of the questioners, but reading between the lines the energy is not good at all.

Hoke is dead man walking, and so these are now mega uncomfortable.  Like with his coaching of the team, he is just not doing a good enough job.  

Transitions suck, but change gonna come.  Only thing worse than the change would be to stay like this...

Njia

October 7th, 2014 at 7:23 AM ^

Where I don't even bother reading any of Hoke's remarks. It doesn't matter and not worth wading through the 99.9% of bovine scatology to find the 0.1% of content that means anything.

There is more value in reading these comments and I'd frankly rather hear what some of you have to say.

SECcashnassadvantage

October 7th, 2014 at 7:49 AM ^

There are things (speaking about football) that are more important than wins and losses. Great message by the players Mr. Hoke. You made them believe one thing. I should tell my boss their are more important things than my part of the business being profitable.

chatster

October 7th, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^

The sad part of all of this is that I think that, while Brady Hoke seemed to have established enough of a favorability and likeability reserve with the media and the broader University of Michigan community before this season, he's letting that all evaporate with snarky, non-responsive answers at his press conferences.
 
I find it hard to believe that that's the image he wants to display for the entire University of Michigan community he supposedly loves so well.
 
Imagine how much more uncomfortable it could get for him if the media really turned on him and asked snarky, irrelevant, cruel questions like these: 
  1. Was it ever this bad for you when you were an assistant coach at Michigan?
  2. After the first game of this season, did you ever think that both Michigan and Appalachian State would have four losses at this point in the season?
  3. How do you feel about knowing that Michigan and Ball State both have four losses this early in the season?
  4. Are you encouraged that San Diego State also has had only two wins this season?
  5. How do you react when you hear the Washington State and Colorado coaches say that THEY’RE the best four-loss teams in the country?
  6. Have you considered changing the team’s goal for this season to just winning the next play?
  7. Will you be renting or will you be selling your home?
  8. Would you like some recommendations for a good realtor?
  9. Would you like some recommendations for a good moving company?
  10. Will your children be home schooled for the rest of this year?
  11. Are you looking forward to having lots of free time in December?
  12. Have you spoken with your lawyers about the buyout provisions of your contract?
  13. Would you like us to get you the best walking directions to Amherst, Massachusetts?

Anyone in the University of Michigan community and anyone who has followed Michigan football for a long time and who has a kind heart must understand that Brady Hoke is suffering through terrible, disappinting times and probably needs a healthy dose of TLC. But his demeanor at press conferences makes it more difficult to sympathize with him.  

Before Brady Hoke meets with the media again, it might help if someone in the Michigan Public Relations Office were to speak with him about better ways to deal with the media while things aren't going well.  Otherwise, Michigan fans could be playing this song for him.

uncleFred

October 7th, 2014 at 9:44 AM ^

The "toughest week" question pretty much covered that one. Any of the others would be ignored and the questioner would not be in another press conference. 

The image you describe is one that you've created for him. It is shared here by people who share your dislike of Hoke due to his record and or other factors. It is not the image he has with all fans or followers of Michigan football, abd possibly not even close to the majority. I doubt we can know that distribution, but even in this echo chamber many look at Hoke very differently than you.

Snark - referred to "abusive or sarcastic speech or writing". -- Find me "snark" in his last press conference. I'll wait. Perhaps there are a couple of interactions that come across as having a degree of sarcasm but mostly not and there is nothing abusive.

Your "sadness" over this has nothing to do with Hoke's image or concern for possible coming discomfort. You are unhappy with his refusal to share information that you believe you rightfully should have. 

chatster

October 7th, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^

Contrary to your belief, I DON’T dislike Brady Hoke. I like the man. I’ve often praised him on this Board for his unwavering devotion to those whom he call his “sons.”  I think he gets it very right when it comes to building good character among his “sons.”  I’d hope that he can do enough to make Michigan Football Team 135 eligible for a bowl game, despite what now may seem like insurmountable odds and that he can close another good recruiting class.
 
I’m saddened by both what I've seen and heard from Brady Hoke in press conferences, based in part on what OTHERS have expressed on this board as “snarky” and “unresponsive” answers to questions.  That’s NOT the image I’VE created.  It’s an image expressed by several posters on this board – and, like it or not, it’s an image that might be in danger of becoming perpetuated in the media whenever the question gets asked about “What’s wrong with Michigan?”
 
All those questions I listed were NOT intended as a list of questions that I ever expected would be asked of him.  It’s a list of what I would consider to be "snarky" questions that would be as unlikely to be answered as those questions he gets this year about injured players -- questions that last year at least would’ve gotten the “he’s got a bit of a boo boo” response. The questions were intended to highlight how much worse it could be for him.
 
As for "snarky" comments, maybe "snarky" is in the eye or ear of the beholder. I watched that press conference online.  How about this exchange when he put his head down and gave what,  at least to me, seemed like an insincere smile before what, at least to me, seemed like a sarcastic response:
 
I just wanted to go back to the 10 men on the field – 
 
“I’m sure you do. Go ahead.”
 
Or this response from Brady Hoke when Angelique Chengelis was about to ask another question:
 
“Well you’re ... you’re ... ehhh ... she’s going today.” (And that little smirk that followed his remark.)  
 
And their final exchange, after he refused to directly respond to her question about Erik Magnuson’s status, when she said, “It’s like reading tea leaves.”  And he, at least to me, made the sarcastic comment, “Yeah.  You might be good at that.”
 
I’ve watched most of the press conferences Brady Hoke has given this year and in past seasons.  When he opens his press conferences these days and thanks everyone for coming, I now wonder whether he really means it.
 
I’ve often dealt with media consultants, and I’ve represented a senior partner in one of New York’s top media relations firms.  I’m friendly with someone who has been a press secretary for a member of the United States Congress.  I have worked in a university’s sports information office.  So, I have some small amount of familiarity with the pitfalls of dealing with the media in trying times.
 
And I’m NOT “unhappy with his refusal to share information that (I) believe (I) rightfully should have.”  I’m NOT entitled to know ANY information about Michigan Football Team 135 other than what’s made available either to the public or to me directly.
 
If there has been a conscious effort within the Michigan Athletic Department to prevent Brady Hoke from giving direct answers to media questions this season, whether about injuries or the depth chart or strategy or a blown referee's call that might've resulted in a continued offensive drive and possible winning score for Michigan, then what’s the point of having him give press conferences?  He might as well just send the media a mass email, responding to questions he’s willing to answer, and save the media the time in traveling to and from Schembechler Hall.
 
By the way, I’ve watched Greg Mattison’s Monday press conference again and I saw direct, respectful answers to each and every question. It's not that hard to do.

uncleFred

October 7th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^

and ascribed intent to you based on my reading of your comment. I did exactly what I accused you of doing regarding Hoke and I apologize. 

The response to Angelique that you found sarcastic, I found humorous and I believe she found it the same. I put my interpretation on Hoke's intent as you put yours. What you and others see as snarky I do not. Nor do I think that an intent to abuse or perhaps irritate, which is part and parcel to snark, is generally present in Hoke responses. As you said it's the ear of the beholder.

Mattison defers one or two questions every presser to Hoke. They are generally the ones either about injuries or on other topics Hoke won't answer. Hoke doesn't get to defer most questions to others, one exception being on the details of Shane's diagnosis which he deferred to the statement he expected to be released by the medical staff which ultimately was released by Brandon. It's easier to "play nice" with the media if you can redirect the questions you have no intention of answering to others. 

Another good example of this is when Angelique (I think) asks Nussmeier about the incomplete call that ended the last drive at Rutgers. He does not answer but gets this very slowly growing smile and a look on his face as he looks at his questioner as if to say "you don't really think I'm going to answer that".  The questioner then says something like "So your silence means you disagree" and he says "I didn't say that" or some such. That comes across to me in exactly the same way as Hoke's answer about Mags. 

When a member of the media asks a question that they know, or should know, is not going to get a meaningful answer you have to doubt their intent. Under those circumstances I tend to grant rather broad latitude in what is appropriate as an answer. 

McConkey

October 7th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^

You know I don't talk about injuries, so feel free to keep asking me questions about injuries. Honestly, I want Hoke to go as much as the next guy, but why insist on asking these questions if you already know the answer.

McConkey

October 8th, 2014 at 6:38 PM ^

So ask once and be done with it.  They continue to ask the same questions, week after week, with the same responses. Its not hard to read between the lines.  Like someone in another post said "We don't talk about injuries" is essentially saying that player is injured. Just leave it there and move on. If this is the media doing their job, they're doing terrible.

Michifornia

October 7th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^

Dumb and dumber.  That's a description of these pressers from week to week.  Fred Flintstone thinks that by being stubborn about a stupid headset (truth is, they can't find one that fits his head) and not talking about injuries doesn't make it seem like he's in charge, it makes him look like a bigger moron.

I love Michigan and sure Hoax is a nice fella, but come on.  I can't take it anymore.  He's not a head coach!  This is not even a question any longer.  We need to figure out the best way to salvage the program, pick up the pieces when half the recruiting class decommits.

I hope that Brandon is talking to coaching prospects.  He has to be right?  I was at the Rutgers game and man, that's a stadium with fans that love their program!  I even tip my hat to the hundreds of loyal Michigan fans there.  But Michigan deserves better!

I've been a diehard for almost 40 years, went to school there, follow the news every day.  God help us all.