Here is a reason Hoke will win you over
So you heard too, huh? Yeah, Hoke is the coach. I feel how a lot of MgoBloggers feel around here. Blah hire, lacking the "sizzle." Let me just say this, I believe that Hoke will win over a lot of people in his press conference and throughout the offseason. You know why? He will express what we have wished the coach of UofM would have been saying and working for the past 3 years. That is, how much he is driven to beat tOSU. He will tell us how important the rivalry games are to him. He will hate along with us. He won't like MSU, or Notre Dame either. He will feed the fans what we have been hungry for. A coach who understands our feelings about those three teams. Most importantly Ohio State. That goes a long way in my mind. We practically begged Rodriguez to express such feelings, yet he never did.
Also, once he gets great defenses back here I think we will appreciate him all the more.
I don't see too many MNC's with this hire but getting back to the success we had under Carr would be a great start if we are going to be realistic.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:21 AM ^
There are ways for Hoke to win me over, but a few words at a press conference will not be enough.
The short list of ways to win me over:
1) Hire a modern, open-minded OC.
2) Put together an otherwise solid staff.
3) Retain Denard
January 12th, 2011 at 8:27 AM ^
You might as well cross 1 off your list because he's bringing his OC with him.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:04 AM ^
Offensive stats from this past season before we go and bash their OC for running some primitive offense. Their offense averaged more ppg than ours did, their QB threw for 3800 yards (which is over 1000 yards better than any of Henne's seasons and would be an all-time UM record for a season) and 28 TDs, their RB ran for 1500 yards with 17 TDs and they had not one but two recievers eclipse 1200 yards receiving. I truly think the offense is in good hands whether it is Denard or Devin (I know blasphemy), we need an awesome D-coordinator hire (Shannon?) and we should be in really good shape going forward.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^
Good post. Amazing stats. I was not a big fan of Hoke but those are some serious numbers. I'm excited.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:09 AM ^
Stats, in the league they played in, mean very little to me. What I hang my hopes on is the bowl game they played. I thought they ran an exciting offense that was fun to watch, I'm determined to keep my spirits up and not worry about Hoke's quotes regarding "Basketball on Grass."
January 12th, 2011 at 9:27 AM ^
You say stats in that league mean nothing to you but I be 60-70 percent of our offense stats came from teams that would be somewhat comparable to teams in that conference. When it came to good teams our offense didn't do to great..Just sayinig.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:40 AM ^
Kind of gets me excited. Still not worried about the offense though. We all know we need to play defense and not completely fail on special teams.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:13 AM ^
Actually feel optimistic about the defense, what with practically everyone returning, along with Troy Woolfolk.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 9:59 AM ^
players are anything spectacular although they may be solid. Don't forget our skill players are very talented (Odoms, Shaw, Roundtree, Hemingway, Stonum, Koger, Justice Hayes). I also think everyone is undervaluing Gardner. This is a guy who everyone was recruting and raving about. He can make all the throws and can move. He is big and strong and should be able to make reads from the pocket. Could he be a young Cam Newtonish type of player?
Also while nothing transfers from game to game, ND got whipped by Navy, who got whipped by SDSU. We barely beat (and probably should have lost to) ND. I for one am glad we did not play SDSU last year, they put up 34 points on TCU (the most all year).
January 12th, 2011 at 8:29 AM ^
Hoke was definitely not my first choice. But I believe that he will be able to bring winning ways back to Michigan with us having a good defense again. I completely agree with all three of your points and I hope he realizes what he already has on offense. If he can bring in an OC that is even somewhat a spread guy that can continue what we are able to do on offense I think we will be pretty good.
Next year may be rough. But it will depend on who Hoke brings in as OC and if he can get our defense turned into something decent. With the players we are returning next season, as of right now, we have the experience and talent to do some great things on offense and defense.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:44 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 8:57 AM ^
Yeah I just saw that shortly after I posted that. Hopefully they can work around Denard and our talented offense and make it work.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:00 AM ^
Dont read many of the posts do you?
January 12th, 2011 at 9:09 AM ^
I just got on at that point and went right to this post right away. No need to get all crazy.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:24 AM ^
Sorry I'm still in the I can't f'ing believe we settled for Hoke mode
January 12th, 2011 at 9:01 AM ^
Double post
January 12th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^
Denard is smart enough to see the writing on the wall and transfer if he still intends to play QB. He provided us with some special memories, but owes us nothing. The school must do the right thing if he asks for his release and grant it without restrictions to any school but another Big Ten school. Denard represented us with class and deserves to be treated the same way. I would love to see DR stay, but understand why it is in his best interest to go. Good luck I'm sure we'll all be cheering for you and wondering what if....
January 12th, 2011 at 9:26 AM ^
I am not being snarky, I just don't understand how anyone can know this a day after the HC gets hired.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^
His best interest would be to play slot. He has zero future as a QB in the NFL at this point. I hope he can evolve some and throw the ball a little more next season but if not another position would be fine for him. He is more than capable and as athletic as anyone in the country.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
Your a joke..
January 12th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 8:34 AM ^
Why aren't people more open about his coaching past. He has lineage to the Harbaugh family AND coached under Carr:
At Western Michigan, Hoke coached under head coach Jack Harbaugh. Also on the coaching staff were current Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and current Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison. Mattison would later serve at Michigan in the mid 1990s as defensive line coach and defensive coordinator, and in 1995 was instrumental in hiring Hoke. When he left Michigan, Hoke was replaced as defensive line coach by Bill Sheridan.
I've always liked the Hokester and I think it is a great hire. Besides, it only takes the first three games (wins) for him to get to .500 - then no one can complain he is a sub-500 coach.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:59 AM ^
So are you saying he's a good coach because he coached next to the Harbaugh family? I stood next to Tom Brady once...just sayin
January 12th, 2011 at 9:01 AM ^
it only takes the first three games (wins) for him to get to .500 - then no one can complain he is a sub-500 coach.
Isn't that kinda sad? I know he took over horrible programs and eventually turned them around (Ball State, more immediately SDSU), but he has not really done anything much of significance in his coaching tenure, not to mention he was never a coordinator either.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:14 AM ^
...contradicts itelf.
"he took over horrible programs and eventually turned them around"
"he has not really done anything much of significance in his coaching tenure."
Wha?
Also, coach of the year in two separate conferences.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:22 AM ^
I don't think so. Turning around programs that have one or two wins is not very significant to me. At least not for a coach at Michigan.
Who has Hoke beaten in his career that you would be impressed by? I really cannot find one.
It took him 5 years to have a winning season at Ball State and SDSU could easily be counted as a fluke in year 2 (not saying it was, I actually don't think it was, but it could be).
Look, i'm not totally dead set against this hire. I think it could be a very sneaky good hire, but I just do not see how people think Hoke has done that much of significance that would put him as a front runner in a national search for Michigans coach.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:39 AM ^
Gary Moeller was 6-24-3 at Illinois before coaching at Michigan.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:00 AM ^
Hoke is a good hire:
Michigan SDSU
Total Yds 9th 16th
Scoring Offense 26th 19th
Scoring Defense 108th 36th
Scores vs Ranked Teams
#17 MSU 34-17 27-25 #23 Air Force
#15 IOWA 38-28 #3 TCU 40-35
#7 Wisconsin 48-28 #23 UTAH 38-34
#8 OSU 37-7 Missouri 27-24
#21 MSU 52-14
Total Ranked Team Pt Diff -115 -10
Final Record 7-6 L Bowl 9-4 W Bowl
Final Ranking NR #28 AP, #28 USA Toda
January 12th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
I enjoy this post, but you are going to catch a lot of flack because "Hoke was coaching in the MWC, and his stats are not comparable". I guess people just do not understand that ALL of RR's offense statistics came against very inferior competition also. He did absolutely nothing against any of the legitimate teams in the B1G until we got down by 20-25 points. Why wont people just back our coach? Hoke loves it here, he wants to be here, and he is not going to leave unitl he is forced out. Other coaches did not want this job, so embrace somebody who does!
January 12th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^
Wow. I didn't even realize that SDSU came that close to beating TCU.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:22 AM ^
I did a little research on The Incredible Hoke's last season at SDSU. His team went 9-4, but his losses bring me some hope.
Their first loss was to Missouri, 27-24. Mizzou finished 10-3 and ranked #18 in the AP, and the score makes it look like SDSU put up a fight. Something Michigan did not do against ranked oponents this year.
Their second loss was to BYU, 24-21. Yeah, I don't have anything here.
Their third loss was to TCU, 40-35. We know that TCU went to be undefeated and ranked #2 in all polls (insert playoff/BCS comments here). Again, SDSU made a competitive game out of one where you would expect them to get their asses handed to them.
Their fourth and final loss of the season was to Utah, 38-34. Utah went to 10-3 and just fell out of the top 25 as the next one in. SDSU made this one competitive too.
Hoke's last team didn't get annhilated by the opposition, especially where you would have expected them to. We watched a few games where we basically got ripped apart. I for one was not very excited when I heard the news, but after doing this research I'm willing to see what this guy can do for us. Hell, this is Michigan. I'm a proud alum and am tired of the emotional run for the last few years. Lets get back to the top. I'm all in, again, Let's Go Blue!
January 12th, 2011 at 9:18 AM ^
if UM had played TCU this year. Wait, don't do that. Glad to have Hoke aboard.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:41 AM ^
the TCU and Mizzou games were away games.
So I completely agree, a win is a win, but a loss might not be as bad as it looks even though it's still a loss.
I'm all in for Hoke and for Michigan!
January 12th, 2011 at 8:24 AM ^
See, that last part there is what scares me about this hire. Why the he'll is it OK to be fine with no NCs? Is it because the last few years have been especially trying? Starting by winning the conference is good, but being OK with just that is short sighted and will be a death sentance for the program. If we cant get back to the point where people will think of us as NC contenders regularly, then I for one, will be extremely disappointed.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:39 AM ^
I don't think anyone said it was ok not to win NCs ... Just the original poster speculating. I doubt his post reflects DB's thought.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:56 AM ^
You're right that it probably doesn't reflect DB's thoughts, but it does reflect that of many fans, at least as of now. Two of my best friends including the best man fo my wedding literally said "all I want is to be competitive in the Big Ten again". I'm sure coach Hoke aspires higher, and I hope he achieves it.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:54 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 9:28 AM ^
before you can walk
January 12th, 2011 at 9:35 AM ^
Dude when was the last time we won a NC before 1997??? You act like we have been churning them out lately. Yeah I would love NCs every year but you make it sound like just because Brady won't have us in a NC game every year he will be terrible. Did LLoyd? did BO?
January 12th, 2011 at 8:25 AM ^
So the reason he'll win us over is because, publicly, he'll make me feel like he "gets it"? All RR ever said was coach speak.. which is... i want to win every game. To me, there's nothing wrong with that. Internally, I know his attitude was different. have you seen some of the practice dummies with Rival Logos on them? i'm pretty sure I read that RR had speakers come, and films shown regarding the importance of each rivalry the week of each rivalry game as well.
I'm sorry but that's not what's going to win me over. To be honest, I've said this a lot now, but even though this was an "uninspiring" hire, I'm going to support the crap out of this Hoke character. I'm going to go to the ND game like I do every year. I'm going to be loud, etc.
Go Blue, MGoBlog Supports you!
January 12th, 2011 at 8:32 AM ^
See but I was careful not to say this is THE reason he will win you over. Just simply a reason. He obviously needs more than that. I believe he will leave the presser with people feeling better about him than they did before it. I think there is value in firing up your fanbase rather than spitting out coachspeak all the time.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:54 AM ^
Fair, I jumped the gun on that. I guess I shouldn't speak for all fans, but his stance on any rivalry game doesn't matter to me. RR wasn't around the staff during the glory/heated days of OSU-Michigan. Should he make stuff up? He'd have lost credibility... all he can do is give his outsider's perspective.
I just think we took our program too far in one direction, to make this type of hire. That being said, I looked through some of San Diego's statistics on offense and defense for the year, (albeit a cursory glance) and I wasn't as frustrated or depressed as I thought I'd be.
I'm more than willing to give Hoke a chance, but if you want to discuss "marketing" (RR's public approach to talking about 'The Game') then let's talk about DB's approach to this hire. The fans were on an emotional roller coaster... and this all seemed like a wild goose chase- from Harbaugh, to Miles- leaving us to scramble toward a mediocre pick in Hoke. I'm hoping he is the guy, because Lord knows I don't want to go through this again for a long time.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:35 AM ^
I agree with you about RR. Too many people believe that he didn't care about rivalry games or the big games. I know he did and it showed. But that is the past and now we must move on.
Yes, this was an "uninspiring" hire to me as well, at first, but the more I here about him and think about it I am more excited for the fall. I will support Michigan until the end of time and will be there for Hoke and the boys through thick and thin. I will be interested to see what Hoke says about how he is going to run the offense, because that is our strongest asset right now. If he realizes that and uses it to his advantage, we will be alright, IMO.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:40 AM ^
I know RichRod cared about the games. He just didn't show it outwardly. My OP does not mean to say that the reason he will be successful is because he will tell us he hates certain teams. I just meant people will find it refreshing for him to actually express how important those games are to him. Fans crave that, and I think he knows that will go a long way in gaining popularity, if only until the games actually start.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:59 AM ^
I'm with you. I do wish RR would have shown a little more emotion toward the big games at least to the fans and media. But that is done now and I think Hoke will be alright.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^
The team always takes the personality of the head coach. It is just how it goes
January 12th, 2011 at 8:26 AM ^
the love child of Mike Golic and Tony Siragusa, but you have to give the guy a chance. Brandon came up with him from his "dynamic list" of candidates, but I'll give the guy a fair shake and reserve judgment until I see a product on the football field. I know he runs a pro-style offense, but I hope he at least adapts somewhat to the personnel we have.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:33 AM ^
He's not going to be running straight-up I-Formation with Denard taking the snap and handing to Vincent Smith (although this move could mean a decline in carries for Smith). He'll adapt
January 12th, 2011 at 9:32 AM ^
We assume/hope he'll adapt. We also assumed that Brandon was really going to do a nationwide search for the best possible HC, not the nest possible HC with Michigan ties.