Anyone Else Think the Hoke Push is a Bit Much?
I don't know about everyone else, but the whole thing (drama?) seems a bit oily, and more than a bit excessive:
Former players, and one former headcoach (psh-"Michigan Men"), coming out of the woodwork in droves to profess their man-love for BH. (Not to put too fine a point on Desmond's words, but if no one man is greater than the team, then why were all these individual, mythical "Michigan Men" placing themselves above the team with their silence, rather than their out-and-out support? Isn't that what a "team" is supposed to do? Be brothers in arms, united we stand?)
How many times does the Athletic Department need to update the FB page, and ask, gushingly, what our favorite pic/PC moment/BH hairstyle was? (Hokeamania, anyone?)
The interesting timing and placement of all the Detroit print media "bugs in ears" regarding BH's fitness to be a fine Michigan football coach, in the week prior to his actual announced hiring?
DB's mumbling about not breaking contracts with regard to the adidas contract and the players chanting "NIKE" seemed a bit contrived and more than a little BS.
And finally, unusual influx of new MGoBlog members, seemingly most with under 200 mgopoints, who are now the standard bearers for the defense of BH, his record, his opportunity, and the patience and time needed for him to do the job.
There's a real, "sell the sizzle, not the steak" odor to this whole "process" and it's one that never existed previously, to my knowledge. And I would have preferred it to stay that way.
All that said, yes, come mid-August, it will be "All in for Michigan" and I'll be there. Disappointment in all these role models and what they proclaimed will remain, but my support for my team will always be there.
And please, save the tinfoil snark. I know how this can read to the 2011 vintage Kool-Aid drinker, so save your gif's and save your Kool-Aid recipe. If needed for my maize-n-blue Jell-O shots, I'll ask.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
But I literally laughed out loud when I read this one "referring to BH simply as "Brady" to reignite what we all loved in calling our coach simply Bo."
Man conspiracy theories are jacked up sometimes.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
and again, I'm aware that what I described is indeed a full-blown conspiracy theory. That's why I don't necessarily believe it. But I also don't put anything past DB. All I'm saying is that I'm not ruling anything out.
January 14th, 2011 at 12:10 PM ^
I don't think "conspiracy" is the right word. Conspiracy would imply that DB intended to undermine RR and I don't think that was the case. It is a concentrated marketing push though, and frankly, kudos to DB. I agree with the above poster that in 24/7 news cycles and social media realms you have to be very intentional about managing the message.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
people be enthusiastic by the new hire. in the last 3 years, when anyone came on and was critical of rich, his defenders responded by calling them 'haters' whatever that means. now, those same people have done nothing but nitpick every aspect of this hire. why? because he isn't rich? that's a good thing IMO. RICH DIDN'T WORK OUT. TIME TO GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^
Yes. Hoke seems like such a non self-promoter that it feels especially orchestrated and disingenuous. .
January 14th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^
over the top. However, it is exactly what we need. After the last three years with no support, we need to come together and support the current staff.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^
Let’s face it: the Hoke hire isn’t sexy, and it does not “sell itself.” It needs to be sold, not only to persuade a skeptical fan base, but also to make the most of the waning weeks of the recruiting year. With no games or practices to make real football news, the news needs to be manufactured. If you were in charge of marketing Michigan football, this is exactly what you ought to be doing.
The “sell” means nothing to me personally. I am not a recruit, and I don’t need to be persuaded to support Michigan football. I can afford wait to decide how I feel about Brady Hoke until he coaches some actual football games. But I do realize that there are people out there, especially recruits, who have never heard of this guy, and need to be educated in a hurry.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^
If the "Hoke push" results in us pulling a decent recruiting class and retaining everyone on the current team, I'm ok with it. Anything to ease the transition.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
I would "tushpush" Magnus for a decent recruting class.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
After the last 3 years, its no secret the fanbase has been split, so its logical for DB to try and build up some momentum to get everyone behind the program's new coach. Yes, they are trying too hard, and yes, there have been some exaggerations (such as the current players being ecstatic over the Hoke hire), but I can see what DB is trying to do, and I don't blame him. Its his job to correct course, and if this doesn't work out, its hard to see him being AD 5 years from now.
I'm not saying I agree with or even appreciate his tactics, but I understand what he is trying to accomplish.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:34 AM ^
Dave Brandon knows that Michigan football is about the bottom line, both in a wins and losses sense, and in a ledger sheet sense, and wins and losses drive the ledger. He has suites and club seats to fill and he has to make sure that people are buying in to the new hire. So yes, it's a marketing full court press. Yes, the media is being rather pliant toward Coach Hoke. Yes, there's more fluff around here than there has been in a long time. However, it's just the multi-vector attack.
Bill Martin wasn't leveraging Twitter and Facebook to push Rodriguez on people. The sources from which people can draw material from, and at the rapid pace at which they can is much better than even three years ago. But really, is "Hoke-a-mania" that different than "In Rod We Trust". Perhaps there is more alumni buy in, less skepticism, but there's also a greater hunger because the last three seasons "feel" like three of the worst seasons in most Michigan's fans lifetimes. When you call a 7-5 season the Season of Infinite Pain, it shows how many Michigan fans had been spoiled by things. If people are jumping back on the bandwagon, it's because they want to and people in the AD, who want the profligate cash that comes with that bandwagon, are reassuring them that it's just like you remember. If you cast a cynical eye upon this, no one blames you. If you think it's unfair, no one would blame you, because it is. But it's going to happen, because the AD wants you to believe, and in the absence of results until September, they have an easier time selling you on hope.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:36 AM ^
I appreciate your thoughtful reply.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^
Who knows if things would have/could have turned out differently. But Bill Martin did almost NOTHING to help RR with the transition to Michigan. He basically said to the press: I hired this really good coach, Michigan's lucky to have him, here he is.
I have no idea what went on behind the scenes, but my guess is that RR just went with his gut on how to present himself and his desire to coach at Michigan. But with a little PR handling, he could have come off in a way that better appeased both the traditionalists and those looking for something new.
Martin was a financials guy, and he put the department on good financial footing. And he had a lot to clean up, still, from the Eddie Martin mess. But his handling of the Rodriguez hire (not the hire itself), to me, is a permanent blotch on his record.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
Well said, I think you've got it exactly right. If the coaching search proved anything, it's that people want more information now and now and now! So we'll have to expect the full court press to satisfy the people that are pining for information, even if they won't admit it.
January 14th, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^
I have some idiosyncrasies regarding Michigan football, should I start a thread about each one?
I've always believed very firmly that the proper amount of people coming out to support a new coach is 17 with a +/- window of 5, anything that deviates from the norm, then I start a thread expressing my grave concerns:)
As my boy Brady Hoke says; "I can promise ya"
My favorite football coaches in the last 40 years have been, in particular order
1. Bo Schembechler
2. Gary Moeller
3. Lloyd Carr
4. Rich Rodriguez
5. Brady Hoke
January 14th, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^
tell me how you really feel.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^
That all of these guys (Woodson, Tom Brady, Jon Jansen, Aaron Shea, all of the Harbaughs, etc, etc) genuinely think Hoke is a GREAT coach?
They all seem to think the last coaching staff wasn't doing a good job at all.
15-22 backs up their opinion.
They all seem convinced that this new guy is going to do a better job. I mean, did you read how excited Tom Brady was at the prospect of Brady Hoke coaching Michigan?
How can you not read quote after quote from our heroes and not be swayed?
Are you smarter at football than them?
Listen, I lambasted the choice when I heard it. Brady Joke! Holy shit, I can't beleieve DB chose such a loser!
And then I started hearing the genuine excitement of all these football greats gushing and gushing about how great Hoke is.
Instead of arrogantly sticking to my initial opinion I said to myself "Self, all of these great football players and coaches have forgotten more about footbal than I will ever know. So maybe I need to change my opinion on this."
For anyone to stick to their guns and assume they know more about football and more about Brady Hoke than all of these football guys is the height of arrogance.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
And I'll be there, probably around August.
But I don't need the overly aggressive push that the AD is pumping out today.
And 47-50, only 2 wins over teams with winning records during the 2010 season, these data points don't tell me Michigan football has made a giant leap skyward...no matter how much Hokeamania someone wants to sell me.
As stated in other posts on this thread, in order for Michigan football to do well, we need Hoke to do well. No question. And the entire org will get my support, and my buy-in.
But it doesn't change todays seaminess I sense...
January 14th, 2011 at 11:29 AM ^
Well, there might be numerous reasons for the former players' comments, reasons that go beyond just believing Hoke is a great coach. It looks as if some number of them come from a bias against the Rodriguez hire and the whole cultural atmosphere at Michigan, which you can admire/like or find gratingly insular and arrogant.
At any rate, I do wonder if some of what we're seeing is not simply a Brandonesque approach to filling the most important position at the key sport at the school. We'll never know what Brandon would have done had he brought in Rodriguez, but we can certainly say that Martin could have put on a better show for RR than he did. I assume that was part Martin, part the coaching search, and part the rancor within the AD.
Let's hope that the hype, even if ill-motivated, will be a positive in the long run.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
It is beyond annoying and I am sick to death of getting push via Twitter/Facebook/email telling me about the new coach and suggesting we get on the waitlist for season tickets. First off, we only go to two games a year for financial and social (kids are still young) reasons, so no matter what, we aren't getting on the waitlist. But second, it makes the whole thing look as crass and mercenary a choice as I am imagining it to be.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^
I'm a Hoke fiend. I'm all Hoked up on Michigan football. Have a Hoke and a smile!
The fist colony in the "New World" was in RoanHoke Virginny, my gawd, catch the fever
January 14th, 2011 at 11:30 AM ^
I must +1 you for that, my good sir. I'm hoping we aren't left with a cryptic note reading CROATAN carved onto the gates of the stadium after a devestating season, though.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:47 AM ^
Not a chance, we will be protected by the Big House of Bogesses
January 14th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
I think this idea is being overanalyzed. You have a bunch of people who didn't like RR from the get-go, whose feelings were magnified by the problems within the AD and lack of winning. Then you have a bunch of RR supporters, whose feelings were amped up by the anti-RR crowd and the lack of talent on the roster. These factions are still warring, with battle lines drawn after the Hoke hire, and they probably will for a while.
I'd like to see a coming-together for the sake of the program, but it does make for interesting reading. FWIW, I'm bummed out we couldn't do better than Hoke, but I guess 3-9/5-7/7-6 blinds some to potential and tradition.The only real concern is if we don't utilize Denard in an effective way. There's no reason we can't have an explosive offense and stout "big-ten" defense on the same team -- I'd say that's the goal, actually.
Dave
January 14th, 2011 at 11:16 AM ^
I was an RR supporter, though with a lot of reservations about player development, staff choices, fundamentals, etc. I was surprised by and disappointed by the Hoke hire, for lots of reasons. But it's done. Finished. Alea Jacta Est. Sincere best wishes to RR, but Hoke's the coach now, and I hope my reservations are unfounded. (And since I know much less about football than any former player, the chances that I'm mistaken are non-trivial.) I sincerely hope he turns out to be a Tressel-type sleeper. One thing that will help him do that is if the press, fans, former players, etc are enthusiastic, and we can avoid PR catastrophes like those that plagued RR. If DB's experience selling pizzas has taught him a thing or two about controlling the message - all the better.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:29 AM ^
How dare people be happy!
People who like the hire are expressing their approval (and many of them are former players, current players and coaches). Why's that bad? If the AD has set forth a campaign to help ensure that positive Hoke tidbits make it to the media...then that's a smart thing. Would it be better if the headlines read, "Hoke had a lame record and is fat"?
As for the athletic department Facebook stuff...maybe you didn't notice but we could have lost by 59 to the Free University of Central Kentucky and the page would still have some "RichRod is amazing" story/link. That isn't new.
And you think that the AD has set fake accounts upon MGoBlog? C'mon...Maybe it's possible that some people haven't felt comfortable posting here because they didn't want to get insulted by RR-defenders. Or, they're just happy, motivated by a very eager coach and excited to talk about their optimism. It's been a while since so many Michigan fans were excited like this. A lot of people (even if you don't feel the same way) lost hope in RichRod. Now, they're hopeful again. No need to rain on that positive parade.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:39 AM ^
Just pointing out it seems a lot more "managed" than self-generated.
And the FB stuff IS a lot over the top....agreed. But the RR stuff was on gameday, not January 14th. I thought the FB post at 10:23 p.m. regarding DR staying was again, a little more than the actual event required. Considering no one knows how he'll be utilized in the upcoming O, at QB (though I'm not feeling the guarantees so many others feel), it's just all way too orchestrated.
As our boy Martin Landau said in North by Northwest, "neatness is a sign of planning."
January 14th, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^
I still don't get why you have a problem. Do you not like "neatness" or "planning"? Did you prefer when the top offensive players all left after a coaching change? Most here thought the world would end if we fired RR, that the players would all leave...especially Denard. So, why isn't it a big story (suitable for a FB post) that Denard is staying? He is the top player...so why not promote that good news?
I wonder if we get different FB feeds from UofM because I see posts of the most useless stuff on the reg. Anyway, try to stop looking at the full glass as broken.
If some of this is "managed"; I say "good work, DB". Of course, talking to a lot of people about the change, the common refrain is, "I didn't know much about this Hoke guy, but I watched the press conference and I love him." That is self-generated. Either way, it's all positive.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:46 AM ^
I'd restate it but most people have already, I'm all in* for Hoke and I love hearing other Michigan greats come out and support him. I mean if you're a four star DB and you learn that Charles Woodson boasts Hoke's coaching abilities, that in no way can hurt Michigan's image.
*Is "all in" still Michigan's slogan per say? I hope so.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^
My 2 cents.
First I have been on here longer than the Hoke hire, but I rarely comment, hence the lack of Mgopoints.
I think, it's 2 things. The former faction that wasn't "all in for RR" may have a very small amount of regret at forcing a "good guy" out of a job. It's human nature to feel bad for the guy that you had a hand ... or think you had a hand in ... getting the guy canned. Therefore, declare your over the top support now, to fell better and to show your not a "negative nelly".
Second, given the chaos, change and hoopla, we all need to rally around something, that something is Hoke right now.
Third, I think this AD is very proactice in getting the message out..."support whomever I hire" so we don't look so batshit crazy all the time. I think his message has been recieved.
Ok, what did I spell wrong?
January 14th, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^
did you say something? I was distracted.
January 14th, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^
I really don't think DB is trying to rip a page from the marketing manual of "The Blair Witch Project" in attacking the blogsphere with pro-Hoke posters, but he certainly is a few notches up the ladder from Bill Martin in creating his "Michigan brand". How many new names did they get for their mailing list with their "Win two seats at the intro press conference" drawing? Gave away TWO seats, probably netted thousands of e-mail addresses.
For my money, I supported RR, but started to waiver at the halftime of the Penn State game. I'll take my chances with the new guy--but item number one on the agenda better be to turn the ship around regarding those farmers from East Lansing.
January 14th, 2011 at 12:02 PM ^
Why don't my commetns go where I want them to.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:06 PM ^
It should be obvious. Our next mascot should be Ren Hoek. I want that mother in a Wolverine uniform on a tee!
January 14th, 2011 at 1:08 PM ^
No, the "Hoke Push" (whatever that is), is not a bit much. When this place erupted with peanut butter and jelly time ecstasy when RR was hired, I dont recall all of this really true, deep, genuine "concern" over whether the RR push was "a bit much." I know, I know, the former M players didn't line up to publicly love RR--that really surprised me in light of all the years they spent getting to know RR and play for him---oh wait. This site has become hilarious. The rest of the blogosphere is settling into looking forward and we're wrapped up in a ball of angst over:
1. Are all sub 200 posters really plants from the AD's office? Oh no! They MUST be! Why else would they possibly support this hire? That's what that winged helmet jet was doing!! it was travelling around the country recruiting sub 200 posters to carpet bomb this site with Pro Hoke content!
2. Anyone who supports Hoke MUST have been an RR hater. There's just no other possible explanation as to why someone would support this hire! Wait, you say that all Hoke haters were former RR jocksniffers? IMPOSSIBLE!
3. A PR company must have coordinated the content of all media outlets to joinlty support this new coach. It couldn't possibly be that this new coach is a known quantity to these media outlets from his 8 successful years at M--and that he---wait for it--earned their respect. No that's IMPOSSIBLE.
4. The intelligent fan MUST withhold all positive sentiment for this coach because, after all, the jury is "still out." Hey, he hasn't proven anything yet...and if he goes 15-22 in the next 3 years, we'll KNOW he was a bad hire and that RR should've never been fired...oh wait.
5. If Coach Hoke doesn't bend, and shape his entire coaching philosophy EXACTLY around the talent that is on campus at this very second, then he sucks and was a bad hire. Because, after all, any coach who forces existing talent to adapt to his divergent system MUST suck...oh wait.
Nice. Real nice.
January 14th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
January 14th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^
I realize I'm a little (or a lot) late to this thread. In fact, as you can tell, I'm popping my posting cherry. Like many other new posters, I've been a loyal reader of this blog for years. I've never felt the need to post because most of the time others have posted thoughts that mirrored my own. However, I was compelled to create a log-in to reply to the OP.
And finally, unusual influx of new MGoBlog members, seemingly most with under 200 mgopoints...
I certainly fit the under 200 point profile. However, I've grown disenchanted with the sentiment that anyone under a certain amount of points can't have a valid opinion, or is dismissed simply because they are a newer user to the site. Everyone who knows that this is the best place for information on all things Blue. The divsion over RR in the Michigan community clearly spilled into the MGocommunity so much so that we still have a great divide here, even after the coaching situation has been settled. That divide seems to have morphed into a new MGoaddict vs. veteran MGoaddicts, when in reality, we all have the same disease. I realize that MGopoints are a badge of honor, I just don't enjoy reading the jaded comments of some of the seasoned vets strictly on the basis of points. I realize that OP was only referring to the influx of newbies that backed Hoke, but the basis was conducive to my point.
Now, on to the actual topic (not that I've stepped down from my soapbox) of unmitigated Hokelove. I'm not a Hokemaniac by definition. Am I ok with the hire? Yes. Was I prepared for this hire? I guess. Although Brian's disdain for Hoke has been widely documented (thus I don't feel the need to link it), I heard right after the bust that Hoke would be the hire by a former Detroit radio personality. And no, I don't have any connections or claim to be an inisder. I'm just the principal of a school that this fella's child attends and we occassionally talk UM football. Did I put a lot of credence in what he said? Not really. I was holding out for a big name. However, as more and more of the process revealed itself, the scenario became much more likely and ultimately to fruition. I was not alone in holding out for a big name (or keeping RR) and Michigan needed this to be a success, for no other reason than to galvonize the fan base:
There's a real, "sell the sizzle, not the steak" odor to this whole "process" and it's one that never existed previously, to my knowledge.
You're right. I would venture to think that a lot of the attention was orchestrated by the PR staff. Michigan will always be Michigan. But that last three years have done a lot of damage to the image. Perception is important. The self-fulfilling prophecy aspect of this Hoke love may just help mitigate some of the pain of the last three years- even it is just for show. Attitude and morale is high right now, at least from what I've read, and that it is the first step in restoring Michigan football to their righftul place atop the B1G... that and talent.
January 14th, 2011 at 2:32 PM ^
and feel like everyone is watching me. Stupid point total.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^
judging, watching. Look at the baby, look at the baby.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^
To birdough and newbie.
Onwards and upwards!
January 14th, 2011 at 3:43 PM ^
I too am a RR supporter and truly believe had he stayed, the team would have improved (assuming they had a new dc).
However, don't you agree that so much of the attention and positive push for Hoke has much to do with the last 3 years of poor (over-all) seasons? The transition between LC and RR was much different between RR and BH. I bring that up because people keep talking about RR’s reception was not as welcoming/positive. Well no shit people were intimidated and hesitant to buy-in to the new system! Tradition goes a long way. It is the #1 reason our recruits say they chose Michigan!
RR took over a program that had a promising young QB and a pretty solid class to work with. He did his face lift and told everyone to be patient for a while. I was patient and was willing to extend my patience because I understood what was happening and potentially coming together.
For the record, here is the past 3 year results prior to transition:
LC: Overall: 27-11 (18-5)
9-4 (6-2)
11-2 (7-1)
7-5 (5-3) (beat FL in bowl game)
RR: Overall: 15-22 (5-18)
3-9 (2-6)
5-7 (1-7)
7-6 (3-5) (annihilated in bowl game)
Now, I understand we have to take into account the offensive make over...however, defense and special teams do not get the same leniency. I do not, and will not rationalize those phases of the game for RR.
When you add the transfers and NCAA investigation, that creates a state of emergency in the minds of U of M supporters.
My point is, the reason so many people are "coming out of the woodwork" is because so many people have never experienced what we went through the past 3 years. They’re outright pissed at what we have become and so am I. Even the rest of the B1G is begging for us to get it back so the conference has more respect. I’m downright exhausted and excited for change. The guy seems great for our program. Former players and coaches should rise up and support the change. Overtly too!
January 14th, 2011 at 5:52 PM ^
I have a hard time seeing any of this hype being planned out by the University. These past three years have been rough, and although I was a RR supporter till the end, I was happy to see him go (if that makes sense). I don't think anyone was overly hyped about the hire orginally, but after hearing him at the presser it's hard not to get pumped up. Getting some fresh blood in, and hearing him say he would walk to AA to get the Michigan job, that can and should get any Michigan fan pumped. Expect to see another sell out home-opener.