national champs baby
Presser React: Kovacs, Lewan, Beckmann, Moeller
Quotes from a few people of note at Brady Hoke's introductory presser.
Jordan Kovacs
"Obviously, we had a tough year defensively this year. I think it's important that he comes in and establishes a strong defense."
"I just wanted him to be passionate about the game and passionate about this University. I've obviously loved this University my whole life, and I can tell this guy has as well." Hoke is passionate and intense, and that's important.
"He realizes the importance of the front seven, and I think that's where he's going to establish... that's where our team is going to be made, and we're excited about that."
The team had a brief meeting and lunch at the stadium with Coach Hoke. "The first thing he talked about was championships." Michigan has 42, and they want to make it 43 soon.
The coaches will make their pitch to Denard, as will the players. "He's a great quarterback, and he'll fit any system." Kovacs doesn't know what Denard plans to do.
Obviously, we've got a heavy heart for our past coach, for Coach Rod. He's a great guy and a great coach, but at the same time we've gotta pick it up, we've gotta move forward, and focus on next season."
Kovacs researched Hoke a little bit when he heard that he'd be a candidate. Looked into his coaching history, but never met him until today. "I like what I've seen."
Taylor Lewan
Everybody has only nice things to say about Coach Hoke. "Nobody has bad things to say about this guy." Everybody needs to support him, whether he was their choice or not.
On Ohio State: "Everybody's seen Harry Potter, right? That one guy... Voldemort or whatever? It's kinda like that." Everybody knows what a big deal the rivalry is.
Hoke brings a fresh start: "The sky's the limit. We have the opportunity to do so much." Though the players haven't had a chance to meet him one-on-one, they're excited.
"This is not a usual University. They expect so much out of you and what you do." There's a lot of pressure here, and Coach Hoke is already handling it well.
On getting all the players to stick with the team: "I think that's the biggest thing possible." The seniors have impressed upon everyone else the importance of sticking together as a team. They've gone through a change before. Last time, "not everybody bought into the whole thing," but now the team is closer because of it.
Coach Hoke has a personality that grabs everyone's attention when he walks into a room.
Frank Beckmann
Hasn't had a chance to talk to the players yet: "From what I hear, they're all excited about it, and I look forward to chatting with them too."
Gary Moeller
"That is a good, good fundamental football coach... He's a worker. There's no question about that." Moeller remembers when he was around the Michigan summer camp.
Photo Gallery
January 12th, 2011 at 5:53 PM | 
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
January 12th, 2011 at 5:58 PM |
That was truly awesome.
That was truly awesome.
That was truly awesome.
Go Blue!
January 12th, 2011 at 6:24 PM |
I intend
I intend
to start identifying certain people as Death Eaters at local drinking establishments. (Apparently Indianapolis is not that far from Columbus, or put another way, it isn't far enough.)
January 12th, 2011 at 5:58 PM |
Great to see that they're
Great to see that they're
Great to see that they're focused on moving on. It can't be easy to go through such a huge transition.
Go Blue!
January 12th, 2011 at 6:32 PM |
Kids are resilient.
Kids are resilient.
They bounce back from adversity pretty fast. Faster than people on blogs at least.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
January 12th, 2011 at 7:11 PM |
Not that my opinion makes
Not that my opinion makes
Not that my opinion makes much of a difference (and I'm still their age) but I've bounced back from being a staunch RR supporter for a put-up-or-shut-up-year to being very hopeful about Hoke after this press conference.
Still don't like the way he was hired, and might change my mind about him after his staff hires, but I was as impressed as the players sound with him today.
Go Blue!
January 13th, 2011 at 1:49 PM |
You can not like the firing
You can not like the firing
You can think the "process" sucked (it did). And you can even think that Hoke isn't the world's greatest hire. But you're taking the sensible path in realizing that it may not be the end of the world, and lets see what happens. We go 3-9 again, and there will be more than enough time to complain about things.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
January 12th, 2011 at 6:00 PM |
Passion
Passion
Like Kovacs said, Hoke has a lot of passion. I really think the players will buy into his energy and enthusiasm.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:00 PM |
Kovacs
Kovacs
Anyone else see Kovacs coaching for MIchigan down the line sometime? This kid talks like a coach.
January 13th, 2011 at 11:09 AM |
yes pls
yes pls
I very much like the idea of Kovacs as a DB coach.
"OK, do it like I did, but with 4.4 speed. Atta boy."
Hail to the colors that float in the light-
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!
January 12th, 2011 at 6:01 PM |
Lewan: +1
Lewan: +1
"That one guy... Voldemort or whatever? It's kinda like that."
Awesome.
"..."
January 12th, 2011 at 6:03 PM |
Taylor Lewan is freaking awesome
Taylor Lewan is freaking awesome
I love this team.
Christ in me arise and dispel all the darkness.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:04 PM |
I hope passion and old guard
I hope passion and old guard
I hope passion and old guard support can compensate for average to below coaching credentials.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:05 PM |
this argument again...let it
this argument again...let it
this argument again...let it go already.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:31 PM |
already???
already???
It's day two. This argument is going to last for awhile.
"True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise - the other, loyalty." — Yost
January 12th, 2011 at 7:35 PM |
Aaaarrrgghh
Aaaarrrgghh
I, for one, welcome our new Cap'n.
Aaaaarrrggggggh
Yo Ho Hoke and a Bottle of Hokum
January 12th, 2011 at 6:57 PM |
The only record that matters
The only record that matters
The only record that matters is the one that happens while he coaches at Michigan, and he's undefeated right now.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:07 PM |
Hoke
beefy
Hoke
beefy
Hoke
beefy
January 12th, 2011 at 6:36 PM |
Like
Like
Like your avatar.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:38 PM |
not as much
not as much
as i like yours
HAIL.
"Where's the threat? Oh, it's right here, and it's devouring us alive." -Ace<
January 12th, 2011 at 6:11 PM |
If you can't get behind this program now
If you can't get behind this program now
I dare you to stand in front of them and tell them. I feel great about this. Just get those recruits back and a tough DC.
What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve and...Those Who Stay WILL Be Champions.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:11 PM |
Is Lewan wearing a rug AND
Is Lewan wearing a rug AND
Is Lewan wearing a rug AND sporting a diamond stud in his ear?
January 12th, 2011 at 10:40 PM |
I thought he was in drag.
I thought he was in drag.
I thought he was in drag.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:16 PM |
I take it back
I take it back
that I said he is a tier two coach. I like the intensity, the screw that school in Ohio attitude. I never once saw RR get excited about The Game. I was a RR supporter from day one. It's time to move on. Go Blue
January 12th, 2011 at 7:41 PM |
Not that I
Not that I
saw your original post saying this, but way to man-up and welcome to Hokeamania.
I was a HUGE Rrod supporter. I don't agree with the firing, or the process of the hiring, but I fully support the new leader of our program going forward, and today's presser went a long way with me. I don't have to be a supporter of the AD and the process to be a supporter of Hoke. I don't have to hate RR to love Hoke. I just wish other people (not you) could separate these issues.
"I was a RR supporter from day one. It's time to move on."
Well said.
HAIL.
"Where's the threat? Oh, it's right here, and it's devouring us alive." -Ace<
January 13th, 2011 at 12:48 PM |
Well said
Well said
You said it perfectly. I was also a big RR fan, hated the whole firing/hiring process, and am as worried as the next guy about the future (just like I was when RR was hired). I also now have doubts about our AD. But that won't stop me from figuring out how to love and support Hoke 100% now that he's the coach.
Hopefully once the funeral is over everyone can take off the black, stub out the clove cigarettes, and get back in the game.
Go Blue!
January 12th, 2011 at 6:18 PM |
News Flash Lewan hates
News Flash Lewan hates
News Flash Lewan hates donkeys and Voldemort!!!
Just do it!
January 12th, 2011 at 6:25 PM |
If there's nothing else to
If there's nothing else to
If there's nothing else to love about Hoke it's that he's so jacked to be Michigan's coach it's ridiculous. That alone will bring guys in here. RR didn't come here to be Michigan's coach. He came here to coach at Michigan. There's a difference. I may not like the fact that there could be a lot more run off left tackle like in the LC days, but I like his passion for this school and this program.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:54 PM |
One thing stood out today...
One thing stood out today...
Brady was sharper than Drew.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:42 PM |
I see
I see
what you did there...
HAIL.
"Where's the threat? Oh, it's right here, and it's devouring us alive." -Ace<
January 12th, 2011 at 6:25 PM |
Worried at first...
Worried at first...
After seeing the press conference I can now say that I think Hoke is going to awesome for this program! He gets it!
"This is what everyone would be doing on a Saturday night had the Nazi's won the war" - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
January 12th, 2011 at 7:13 PM |
Because Getting It Wins Games and Championships
Because Getting It Wins Games and Championships
I always thought t was stellar offense, stellar defense, and stellar special teams. A good pep rally never hurt.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:25 PM |
Can we please...
Can we please...
start getting people to really support this team and be patient. There are definitely going to be some ups and downs but I like the coach and believe that he will surround himself with the right people. Isnt that what it boils down to anyway? Would Tressel, Carrol, Meyer or anyone else be as successful as they were if they hadnt put the right pieces in place first? Lets give Hoke some time and a chance and Michigan will once again be on top.
Go Blue!
ForeverBlue..."The team! The team! The team!"
January 12th, 2011 at 6:32 PM |
The passion was absurd he got
The passion was absurd he got
The passion was absurd he got me pumped. The only thing that continually bothers me is that DB or hoke in this case keep saying they want to win big titles and not national titles. I understand one leads to the other. But would it really hurt to say we want to win it all?
January 12th, 2011 at 7:10 PM |
This whole argument is
This whole argument is
This whole argument is silly. Why stop at national championship? Shouldn't our goal be to be the best college football team that ever was or ever will be? The point of choosing goals is so that you can strive for something concrete and you have a bar by which to measure your progress. In order for your goals to be meaningful, you need to have a realistic chance of achieving it and it has to be in your control. Problem with saying the NC is your goal is that you don't necessarily control it given our current system (ask TCU). Winning the Big 10 championship is the highest goal that we can achieve and we control. And, if we're winning Big 10 championships, we're necessarily going to be in the NC hunt. Trying to impart some deep significant deficiency in our program because of this goal is a stretch. Let's move past this.
Welcome Coach Hoke and Go Blue!
January 12th, 2011 at 8:26 PM |
cosign
cosign
100% - i couldn't have said it better, so thanks for saving me the time
HAIL.
"Where's the threat? Oh, it's right here, and it's devouring us alive." -Ace<
January 12th, 2011 at 7:10 PM |
He's Won The Top Prize At Every Level So Far
He's Won The Top Prize At Every Level So Far
No reason for that to change. How many coaches have made the leap from mediocre at best to champion?
January 12th, 2011 at 8:02 PM |
Who's won the top prize at
Who's won the top prize at
Who's won the top prize at every level so far? Certainly not Hoke, who has never been the head coach of a conference (never mind national) champion.
I will stand behind Hoke, but I retain the right to actually speak in truths instead of falsehoods.
January 13th, 2011 at 1:48 AM |
I hear you.
I hear you.
I thought the same thing. But then I thought about Tressel. He usually talks only about winning the Big Ten championship. They've been doing pretty well with that goal.
Small point nonetheless. We ain't there yet and have a lot of work to do. Once we are, and start winning the Big Ten again, the NC hunt will fall into place.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:57 PM |
Coach Hoke
Coach Hoke
is not going to have a problem recruiting, he had me ready to come to Michigan and I've been there already.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:07 PM |
Unfortunately, You Are Not A Top Recruit for 2011
Unfortunately, You Are Not A Top Recruit for 2011
They seem to be realists and less impressed with the hype. They are voting with their feet. Signing Day looks to be a sad day. He could bring those 5 star recruits with him from SDSU unfortunately he didn't have any and we don't offer JUCO classes.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:58 PM |
I am ready
I am ready
to suit up for this man and hit someone. I have a great feeling after watching this and hearing him speak. His passion for this University just seems to jump out at you and if that rolls over into his recruiting I think we are gonna be better than okay.
"This is MICHIGAN ferGODsakes"
January 12th, 2011 at 7:02 PM |
A close group
A close group
It has been often said that this is a close knit, good group of guys. This is further evidence of that. Obviously, that will be key to limiting transfers and moving forward with a good attitude. Dare I say-give RRod credit for that.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:33 PM |
The program
The program
now feels like it's in good hands.
I mourn the passing of the Pretzel Bell (P-Bell), Mr. Flood's Party and The Del Rio but Pizza Bob's still lives on.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:07 PM |
The Seniors say it all
The Seniors say it all
On getting all the players to stick with the team: "I think that's the biggest thing possible." The seniors have impressed upon everyone else the importance of sticking together as a team. They've gone through a change before. Last time, "not everybody bought into the whole thing," but now the team is closer because of it.
Sounds like a close knit group of guys. They're happy to stand up and say "he's our coach now, get with the program." Thanks for the great thread --I'm pumped.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:27 PM |
Hoke seems like a good coach
Hoke seems like a good coach
Hoke seems like a good coach and a good motivator. The only thing that continues to make me sad is Denard. The OC hire was stupid and "traditional" to say the least. Denard is not even saying generic things like, "I look forward to meeting with Coach Hoke" or "Coach Hoke is very passionate and loves Michigan". Instead he is saying "no comment"? That doesn't sound like the smiling guy we all got to know this year. It gives me a really bad feeling, I hope he stays more than anything.. Hoke has about 24hrs to convince Denard to stay.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:01 PM |
I'm not into the whole "Michigan Man" thing,
I'm not into the whole "Michigan Man" thing,
but if that's what you are looking for, Brady Hoke is a "Michigan Man" straight out of central casting.
He hit all of the hot topics . . . toughness, the team, winning the Big 10, taking OSU personally. And it all came natural, none of it was forced.
Tonight we're going to party like it's 1997.
M'Dog
January 12th, 2011 at 9:39 PM |
Just watched the entire press conference
Just watched the entire press conference
I feel better now.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:17 PM |
Was Brandon making veiled references to Miles?
Was Brandon making veiled references to Miles?
All that glitters is not gold...
He is clearly a player's coach, unlike some other coaches it is not about him
Man ball. Formerly, somebody else.
January 13th, 2011 at 11:20 AM |
More like
More like
Harbaugh
OSU = Voldemort. God bless you Lewan.