Frieze Memorial

December 8th, 2014 at 9:05 PM ^

I gotta say, it's no small feat for him to go up there.  Have you ever had to host a banquet for your office AFTER you got fired?  I would have thought about slinking the heck out of there.

Joined: 01/09/2014

MGoPoints: 6465

Tater

December 8th, 2014 at 9:50 PM ^

For all of his faults, Brady Hoke could always be counted on to conduct himself with class.  I couldn't imagine him missing this banquet and not taking the opportunity to say goodbye to his players the right way.  He cares about his players and they care about him.  I am glad they got one last celebration of the things that went right together.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

hazardc

December 8th, 2014 at 9:14 PM ^

How did this blog go from 

 

"He's an inept asshole who doesn't give a shit about player safety. There's no excuse for the Shane Morris incident, the buck stops with him. Also, he is a mid-level MAC coach, at best" 

 

 

to

 

 

"I really like the guy, he loves this school and the players, and wish him nothing but the best in his future endevours" 

 

 

?

Joined: 11/24/2013

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lilpenny1316

December 8th, 2014 at 10:46 PM ^

But for what he really gets evaluated on, wins and losses, he failed there.  The main non-gameplan related issue people were really pissed about was the Shane Morris incident.  And it made him look clueless and tone deaf.

But most folks believe that as far as people go, he is a good natured person.  He just did not do well enough to stay on as HC.  He definitely got better treatment on this board than Brandon.

Joined: 11/19/2009

MGoPoints: 61833

freejs

December 9th, 2014 at 12:54 AM ^

look, the guy did not cover himself with glory in dealing with any of the hard situations. 

It does seem like on the day to day, the try hard stuff, he tried as hard as he possibly could. The APR success reflects that. 

I am really disappointed in the job he did on Saturdays, the way he let Brandon punk him regularly, the lack of self-respect he had in letting Brandon interact with his football coach like he was some Jerry Jones character with less plastic surgery, and the way he handled many of the difficult questions from the media. 

I wish him no ill-will, though, and do believe that the failures he had didn't stem from him being a bad person - he just seemed to get so many things wrong in a job that ate him alive. 

I'm glad he had this time at the banquet, and as frustrated as I was with him, begrudge him none of the admiration and thanks he got tonight. 

Joined: 04/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9002

charblue.

December 9th, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^

why his record led to his dismissal because he used poor judgment in keeping Morris in the game far beyond his tryout opportunity and any effectiveness. He should have been pulled in the second quarter or not allowed to continue in the second half.

What that decision suggested was pure stubborness about leadership and that we will live with our choices no matter how they turn out. Well, that decision helped eliminate Brandon and Hoke, and I think it was just stupid. Two games stood out to me in the stupid category this season: Notre Dame and Minnestoa. The first, because Michigan seemed hardly willing to fight or figure a way to win and then compete, and the other because the staff just left a kid in the game too long and looked stupid when trying to defend the choice later because there was no real justification for keeping him in the game.

Hoke could have survived but game management issues eventually undid his regime. And in spite of all of the good things he did, it was clear to me that this team was just lacking the competitive fire necessary to deal with normal adversity in the course of a football season. I mean football is a game that tests your desire and will to compete, survive and excel.

The coach did all the right stuff outside the lines to keep his team focused and motivated, but his team failed to demonstrate the hunger games mentality required to succeed as a champion on the field except selectively. And so Hoke is out while being properly auded for all the right reasons.

This turns out to be a zero sum opportunity no matter you'd be willing to walk to get it. Because even at a school that values values and doing things the right way, you still  gotta win. Because winning trumps losing, and nobody loves a loser over time no matter how nice a guy he is.

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11391

LSAClassOf2000

December 8th, 2014 at 10:02 PM ^

I will never understand people who have such binary views on such things.

To me, we can complain - rightfully - about the lack of on-field success, but it doesn't discredit the reinvigoration of the family aspect of Michigan athletics and the broadened sense of community that Hoke seemed to bring to the program. It's acomplex relationship, to be sure, but it isn't like you can recognize one thing but not the other. 

 

Joined: 01/07/2011

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gwkrlghl

December 8th, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^

People were getting all pissed off in the aftermath of the Minnesota game because

  1. It was undeniable we were awful at that point. Shane couldn't even save us. So everyone was grouchy
  2. Everyone wanted Brandon fired and Hoke behind him

The rest of the season was a mix of your two statements "Brady Hoke is not qualified to coach Michigan and I hope he coaches elsewhere next season. He is still a great guy"

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

ThadMattasagoblin

December 8th, 2014 at 9:32 PM ^

I don't think he purposefully tried to "kill Shane Morris." In my mind he thought he had hurt his leg or something and SM didn't want to come out so he put him back in the game. This would fall with the 10 men stuff. When he was again put in the game Bellomy couldn't find his helmet so he put Morris back in for a play thinking it was just his leg.

Joined: 08/24/2011

MGoPoints: 64068

RobM_24

December 8th, 2014 at 9:42 PM ^

I don't think we'll ever have a head coach as likable as Brady Hoke. He's a great person. I think there is plenty of evidence to support that.

Joined: 01/27/2014

MGoPoints: 63498

Perkis-Size Me

December 8th, 2014 at 9:45 PM ^

Have to commend the guy. Could not have been very comfortable standing up there and giving that speech. Also had to be extremely awkward standing right next to the guy who fired you about a week ago.

I hope he's successful wherever he goes next.



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bluesparkhitsy…

December 8th, 2014 at 11:46 PM ^

It would be awkward with nearly anyone else, but I actually think he understood and agreed with the decision.  That's not to say that he wouldn't have been thrilled to stay another year -- or forever -- but he was steadfast in saying that the Michigan standard was winning Big Ten championships, that anything short of that was failure, and that he bore ultimate responsibility for meeting that standard.  So, it's precisely because he is a man of character that he knew what needed to happen.

There are many things I love about this man, but one is the fact that his press release upon learning that he had been fired ended with "Go Blue!"  I truly can't imagine anyone else cheering for the school that had fired him right after being fired.  We could all learn a lot from Coach Hoke.

Joined: 10/16/2010

MGoPoints: 2442

bighousechris

December 8th, 2014 at 10:15 PM ^

As he should have. I was surprised to hear that he was there at all - but then I wasn't. He's a class act and nobody can question his love of Michigan and his team(s). Good luck to him wherever he ends up.



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The_Mad Hatter

December 8th, 2014 at 10:30 PM ^

I'm glad he was treated well on his way out. That he came to the banquet at all really speaks to his character. He's a good and decent man and he always cared about The Team and Michigan more than himself. Good luck Coach Hoke, wherever life may take you. Unless that place is columbus, im which case forget everything I just said.

Joined: 12/01/2014

MGoPoints: 5945

born1ntheArbor

December 9th, 2014 at 10:16 AM ^

I didn't think that he'd be allowed to go since he was fired. I don't think someone who was fired would be allowed to go the company holiday party, but I don't know how things go in the coaching/football world.

Still, I'd be too embarrassed and depressed to go. A room full of people you've disappointed, wanted you fired, or fired you, on top of losing your dream job that you utterly failed at? Geeze.The guy went for his players and it's really commendable.

Joined: 02/11/2012

MGoPoints: 357

freejs

December 9th, 2014 at 10:23 AM ^

I think it's his entire world view and his view of who he is in this world that said he had to be there to honor the kids he's considered his "sons.'

Whether he's let them down in the past despite his best efforts would have nothing to do with how he would think about this decision here, imo. 

Joined: 04/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9002

ifis

December 8th, 2014 at 10:36 PM ^

He got his shot and he could not meet the high standard, but, man, I will miss him.  In an age where its easy to get disillusioned with the NCAA, he reminded me of everything I wish college athletics would be off the field.  I hope he gets another chance at a good program and meets more success.  He deserved that standing ovation and he deserves our respect whenever he is around the university, if he so chooses to visit.

Joined: 12/07/2011

MGoPoints: 1853

Umich97

December 8th, 2014 at 10:52 PM ^

Whether the team won enough games or developed enough in their game is one thing. However, no one can debate that Brady is a class act and cared about the players. Wish him the best.

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