Grantland Q&A With Coach Hoke
Nothing earth shaking here but figured the board would want a link.
August 29th, 2012 at 9:55 AM ^
Senior leadership, Fitz?, hard work, motivation, win B1G, well, physical, point of attack, well, seniors, captains, well, kovacs.
Did that cover it?
August 29th, 2012 at 9:59 AM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 10:04 AM ^
You're missing the key element of the interview. Hoke's attendance of a Lynard Skynard concert in 1976 is going to provide a decided schematic advantage against Alabama. He clearly understands how they think.
No comment on his praise for REO Speedwagon...
August 29th, 2012 at 4:42 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 10:02 AM ^
You know what drives me nuts? When a guy drops a pass or misses a tackle, how some fans respond like the young man tried to drop the ball, or tried to miss that tackle. These aren't pros - these are 18- to 23-year-olds, and you may have some players who will move to that next level, but still, these are kids. And they're still developing. It's hard to believe the impatience people have for mistakes and imperfections. They can say whatever they want about me or our staff, and be as critical as they like. But to be critical of 18- to 23-year-olds, something's mixed up.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:03 AM ^
Good thing Hoke never moderated a liveblog here then.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:23 AM ^
He's a man! He's 53!
August 29th, 2012 at 10:33 AM ^
That makes it seem like a segment think that the player is out just to screw up a fan's day and it's a personal affront. Drives me crazy. Other thoughts-
- Rare that I say Whitlock is right about something, but rereading that too and it's eerie how much he foretold.
- Anyone who has lost a parent will know exactly how Brady Hoke feels.
- And I agree with his take about the playoffs. We often complain about how bowl site games will make it tough for the fan, because who is going to the Rose Bowl one week and the National Championship game in Miami the next week...but what about the families of the players? Shouldn't they matter more? (In a theoretical sense, not the reality $$$ based sense we all realize drives this)
August 29th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^
The FCS now has a 24-team playoff. Maybe the FBS can figure out what the FCS is doing and copy it. I don't really see a lot of FCS complaints about how much of a "burden" the playoff is.
A true regional format is needed. The lack of one is why kids have to travel to Austin or Pasadena or Miami in the first place. That's why I like conference champions only and eight teams; the regional element is already built into the system all season via the conference championship games.
As for kids' parents going to the games: when a kid goes over 1000 miles away from his home town to go to school, it pretty much goes without saying that the parents aren't going to make all of the games.
For those concerned about parents attending games, the NCAA could make it legal for kids and their parents to accept money from outside sources. That way, a booster could fly parents up to see games.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ^
Are played on campus sites. So if you're saying the big boys should follow suit, well, duh. Not sure anyone around here has ever said otherwise.
And yes, if a kid is 1000 miles away from home, his family is going to have a burden making games. But the vast majority of any team aren't from that far away, they're from the region. So they can make the games by car. Playoff games, which are presumably more important have just doubled the amount of games "really far away", and if you increase the playoff to another round, that's a third.
And your last repeated drum beat is so stupid it's not really worth going over.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
The other issue is FCS kids almost never have NFL careers. I know there are some, but it's almost never. So for them college is the pinnacle of their organized football career. They likely have much fewer concerns about future marketability based on the number of hits they took in college. Leave it all on the field, hang up the cleats, and go on to a post college job.
The NFL really does care about the mileage on a player. Runningbacks are the most extreme example of this, but age and mileage will reduce value and destroy a career in the pros.
By expanding the FBS playoffs you're taking the best players, who are the most likely to have NFL careers, and exposing to them more and more hits. They'll then go on to player in the pros and take even more hits. Then next you know they're like Junior Seau, shooting themselves in the chest so their brain can be studied.
The FBS top recruits come into college ball with more miles on them (they camp more, play in harder leagues, do 7v7, etc), take more hits from future NFL talent while playing in FBS ball, and likely go on to take a lot more hits in the NFL. So I can understand why FBS coaches have more concerns.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^
FCS players also have virtually no media demands on their time during the playoffs. With expanded FBS playoffs, you'd also be talking about vastly expanded demands for interviews, profiles, press avails, meetings with announcers, etc., in the midst of finals.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:10 AM ^
everytime he speaks .... i fall in love again!
August 29th, 2012 at 10:14 AM ^
That is an awesome interview. I love the part about him talking about going to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert and being a music fan.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:14 AM ^
Quick take: he's very much a guy who learned to be a coach under Lloyd (not strategy, but attitude toward what a good college football coach is).
-Football matters, because when you dedicate yourself to something, you should try to do it to the absolute best of your abilities, but it's not the be-all/end-all of life for either coaches or players.
-Relationships and education/development are eventually more important than what happens on the field.
-Coaches shouldn't be watching film at 3 in the morning. They should make sure to be involved in their kid's lives and head coaches should a priority of allowing their assistants family time.
-Players should be shielded from excessive public criticism, from both coaches and fans, for physical errors on the field.
-Players need to attend to all realms of their young lives: football, family, education.
August 29th, 2012 at 10:32 AM ^
I'm a big fan of his view on playoffs and glad to see him expressing concern about additional wear and tear on the players' bodies.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:25 AM ^
Agreed. Also, the part about families being able to travel to the game was something that never even crossed my mind for some reason. I have a decent paying job and really only take care of myself, and I struggle to find the money to come back for a game. A lot of these kids aren't from the best economic backgrounds, so the sacrifice that some of these parents have to make to see them play is substantial.
August 29th, 2012 at 12:18 PM ^
I think that's a legitimate concern. I know the obvious retort is "What about I-AA/D-II/D-III?" but players at those levels are generally smaller and slower, leading (presumably) to less hard-hitting games.
I would imagine that the injury rate for FBS players is somewhat higher than for players in the other divisions. Is there any information like that out there?
August 29th, 2012 at 11:07 AM ^
Love my Trojans but Kiffin is a scumbad and Hoke is all class.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^
Nice, RDT.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:15 AM ^
"Coaching involves sacrifice, but you don't want to overwork someone and have them in the video room at 3 a.m. when they could be home with their children."
This rather repeats the essential message of Meinke's article on AA.com the other day, but it is worthy of being underlined in this interview as well - part of the chemistry of this team and staff is trying not to have scenarios like this happen. I think actively making family a part of what goes on at Schembechler reinforces the idea that you're not really here for the sport, but for your family.
It seems that Hoke can do something that a lot of people can't do very well - look at his life as a spectator. He mentions his walk through the stadium in 1983, and the article on Monday told us just how much sacrifice went on in the 28 years between then and his arrival here as head coach (his stint here in the 90s under Carr aside for a moment).
Trying to make work-life balance part of the program's basic operating procedure keeps players and staff sharper and more fresh, I would say - you're probably more apt to make more intelligent football decisions if you have not spent the night breaking down film only to go straight from there to practice on a power nap. If you want your staff making better decisions at game time, allowing them to compartmentalize football as much as possible.
August 29th, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
"You know what drives me nuts? When a guy drops a pass or misses a tackle, how some fans respond like the young man tried to drop the ball, or tried to miss that tackle. These aren't pros — these are 18- to 23-year-olds, and you may have some players who will move to that next level, but still, these are kids. And they're still developing. It's hard to believe the impatience people have for mistakes and imperfections. They can say whatever they want about me or our staff, and be as critical as they'd like. But to be critical of 18- to 23-year-olds, something's mixed up."
August 29th, 2012 at 1:33 PM ^
I can't be the only one who pictured Hoke in a suit & sunglasses pointing at people as he escorted the President through a crowd. (That might be a good t-shirt actually)
Totally agree that every time I read/hear his thoughts, I find a new reason to like this guy.
August 29th, 2012 at 6:05 PM ^
Q. Coach Hoke, why are you retiring from the Secret Service?
A. Because Im too old to run alongside a gdamn limo...I hate deskwork and thanks to you people plasterring my picture all over the place, Im no good for undercover work.
August 29th, 2012 at 1:59 PM ^
I heart hoke. That is all.
August 29th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^
There is so much I resonate with in this article.Thanks for posting it.
I am 52, so generationally, I identify with a lot of things that Hoke does. You can debate whether the music is good or not, but I remember dancing with my girlfriend to Hall and Oates while a student at Michigan. REO Speedwagon, Aerosmith, the Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, are all bands I listened to. Brings back good memories. Those, and Queen, and Linda Ronstadt, and Fleetwood Mac and a bunch more. I guess we do get stuck in a rut with music, but I loved those days, and putting on a record.
I'm glad Coach Hoke cries. Not all the time, but for the important things. My dad is 86. He's my best friend, and is in good health, and I see him every week. I'm not looking forward to the day he goes. It is great that Coach Hoke had such a good relationship with his dad.
I'm glad Coach Hoke is honest about his time at Ball State. I remember chugging pitchers of beer in Dooleys and innumerable keggers. We grow up, but to be honest about the past and poor choices is great. It is wonderful that Hoke had a coach pull him aside and give him direction. I am sure that Toussaint is a great kid, and that all Coach Hoke wants to do is to give Fitz some good direction too. But being honest about your faults, learning from them, and sharing that with the next generation? It doesn't get better than that.
I remember being in Michigan Stadium when it was empty. Back then, everything wasn't so tightly locked down. It was awe-inspiring, as is so much at Michigan. I am so thankful and appreciative of my time at Michigan. I wish I could go back in time, and had appreciated that opportunity even more than I did. I completely get how there is no other place Hoke would rather be.
I am in a job where I am in control of my own schedule. The reality is that my schedule can too often control me. I have worked too many long days, and missed too many games and events with my children, spending time with other people and other kids. I'm so glad that Hoke has a sense of this loss, and wants to do all he can to make it right for his assistant coaches and staff and their families.
My 6th grade son is playing tackle football. It is his third year, and is a great experience. I'm so glad he is playing. But his team is limited offensively, and I think this season will be rough. I love that Coach Hoke is so behind his kids, win or lose. That he wants to teach them, but that mistakes happen, and you still care for the kids, because they're leaving their heart on the field. What a great coach Hoke is . . . I can understand why parents would want their sons to play for him.
August 29th, 2012 at 3:27 PM ^
...comment of the week.
August 29th, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^
Average of my admiration for Hoke:
- Leadership: 10/10
- Recruiting: 10/10
- Attitude toward kids: 10/10
- Humility: 10/10
- Appreciation for Hall and Oates: 1/10
Total: 8.2
Gotta bring that one score up...
August 29th, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^
...Hall & Oates went from being a passable 70s pop rock act to 80s pop schmaltz. Rich Girl and Sarah were good songs. Out of Touch and the rest? Complete garbage. Hell, look what happened to Heart.
August 29th, 2012 at 6:09 PM ^
Respectfully Disagree...it was the 80s and H&O changed their production techniques to suit the sound of the times. The songs were still great, very catchy and they sold a hell of a lot of records. Daryl Hall is a great songwriter and has a genius voice:
Then:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VDHrV8dEcE
Today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgETi-EhDRU&feature=related
August 29th, 2012 at 8:53 PM ^
August 29th, 2012 at 11:37 PM ^
I had forgotten about Hoke's law enforcement background. But not just specifically law enforcement. Federal probation and parole. He was originally trained basically to help people who are getting a second chance. Secondly, he himself was given second chances from his times at Ball State. I think these two foundations have a lot to do with how handles discipline on the team, and how he manages his players in general. He's not a strict disciplinarian like some people might believe him to be. He's probably much more likely to nuture a relationship with a troubled player, because he believes they're all worth the effort. I bet it explains why the Fitz and Frank Clark situations tend to be drawing out. And it's probably why Stonum still spoke kindly of the University and Hoke even after he was dismissed from the team. Hoke must have bent over backwards for him hoping he'd make things work, but it just didn't happen for him.