Hoke-Speak - Can we put this to bed once and for all?

Submitted by CLord on

Every week now countless fans rant about Brady Hoke's responses after games and in pressers, but lost in those threads are the responses correcting them, and thus the message never seems to get through.  So I thought I'd make a post to emphasize the following point:

We as fans have a long list of reasons to be frustrated with the state of the program and coaching staff, but Brady Hoke's comments to the media should not be on that list. 

Most of you have read this before, but for some reason it doesn't seem to get through. 

Hoke simply cannot throw Borges, Funk or his players under the bus.

Borges, Funk and some of his players have underperformed, but for the head coach to acknowledge this in any specific form beyond his bland "We need to execute better" retorts, would be tossing said coaches and/or players under the bus to some degree. Doing so would be counterproductive for Hoke's aspirations on three fronts:

(a) Drawing what little inspiration or drive remains from Borges and Funk and the players, given they'd likely mail it in themselves if alienated, thus further sabotaging what little hope there is on offense for the remainder of this season.

(b) Attracting decent replacement coordinators (assuming that is an option he is considering) because what coordinator would come work for a coach that didn't protect him.

(c) Recruiting because many players wouldn't appreciate a coach that didn't protect them to the media.

We're all frustrated and searching for answers to the debacle we've witnessed this season, and saw signs of last season (second half Nebraska/Ohio).  But expecting those answers to come from Brady Hoke's pressers in the middle of the season is shortsighted.

Hoke's performance and that of his staff are fair game.  But the answers we seek won't materialize until probably some time in early January when we can judge Hoke by his actions rather than words.  He will either replace Borges and Funk which will answer many of our questions as to where his mind has actually been, or he will keep them on another year and live, but more likely die by the feint hope that a year's worth of recruits, weight training, practice reps and advancement in the program will right the offense's ship.

goblue2008

November 11th, 2013 at 11:21 PM ^

I also think his answers give the idea that he doesn't know what the problem is which is what I believe is teh root of concern for most fans. I don't think rational fans want Hoke to throw the coaches under the bus in a presser - thats not professional and just not the right thing to do. 

Even something like "AS a coaching staff, we acknowledge there are issues we need to work out and I will evaluate everything as we determine how to fix the problems.". Something along those lines would probably get people off the ledge but saying you thought the playcalling was fine etc just pushes people away from teh program. 

goblue2008

November 11th, 2013 at 11:33 PM ^

captures that. Make it clear you're "investigating the problem" and you'll take the steps necessary to right the ship. Simple as that. Don't bite when the press asks you questions about playcalling, etc to throw anyone under bus. Shit, just repeat that over and over until they stop asking. 

glewe

November 12th, 2013 at 9:00 AM ^

Yeah, I think this thread and every other defending Hoke's answers in his pressers are failing to realize just how strategic he can be.

Hoke keeps repeating over and over, "It starts with me." It starts with him. Okay, great. So the play calling starts with him. The game plan. The offensive line coaching. They all start with him.

He can just as easily say, "Wahhhl, you know, Al/Darrel and I weren't too happy with the way things worked out. Some execution things, some youth things. Our goal is to win, and we as a football team didn't do a good job of playing or coaching to win. We're gonna look and see where we can minimize/improve those things, and of course that starts with me. I'll do my part, and then he'll do his."

Done. Question answered, problem acknowledged, solution in sight, and it places accountability both on Hoke and on his coaches/coordinators.

That's what public relations is. Defending the play calling the way he did is ultimately just Hoke saying, "Nope. Not changing."

wolverine1987

November 12th, 2013 at 9:52 AM ^

I'm as frustrated as anyone, and created a thread hoping that Heiko or someone would directly question Hoke about tipping off plays, but that said, when you say "It starts with me," that in fact means that there is a problem that starts with the head coach. He also said "we have to do a better job of coaching"--that also means the coaching is sub-par. I don't think he can go beyond that in public.

Now, the answer "he's wrong" in response to the tipping of plays was infuriating, and I don't defend that one.

glewe

November 12th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^

The answer in response to the tipping plays and the defense of play-calling were problematic, because they were both just completely absolute and not negotiated. He did give the responses I've listed, but he did NOT do it in response to play-calls or tipping plays. That's a really key departure from the sense of accountability and the sense that "We need to do better." It says, "Well, yes, we need to do better, but those two particular things are not what we need to do better with."

He talked about improving game plan, improving execution...but he stayed absolutely defensive of play calling. Somehow, the same runs that didn't work all game were going to work on our final drives.

GoBlueDenver

November 11th, 2013 at 11:26 PM ^

Ya know what, bud, I agree. Good points. I admit that his responses gave me (highly irrational) rage, but really saying anything contrary, or anything suggested on this board would only make things worse. I give him a lot of credit, because he is for sure feeling the heat, and for sure isn't happy with the offense (production or playcalls), because that would mean he'd be fine with losing. Hoke is NOT ok with losing. Or playing fucking Akron close. No way.

Mr. Carson

November 11th, 2013 at 11:33 PM ^

I get not throwing people under the bus, but saying you like the playcalling and that there was nothing wrong with it?  That's just insulting the intelligence of the fans who saw the game.  Why not say something like "well that's an issue that we need to keep evaluating" or "We're always evaluating our gameplans and looking at how we can put our players in a better position to succeed" or whatever.  ANYTHING except a ringing endorsement.  Sometimes it seems like Hoke is intentionally pissing people off with his pressers.

mGrowOld

November 11th, 2013 at 11:29 PM ^

I respectfully disagree CLord. It would seem you want to ascribe his words to "coach-speak" but what if he actually believes what he is saying? That is not beyond the relm of possibility.  Besides there is a ton of room between:

A. Throwing your assistant coach under the bus by publicly criticizing him and blaming him for the team's struggles

B. Publicly and strongly endorsing and supporting the game plans and play calling

And to date Hoke is heavy on B IMO and that is where I have issue. As GoBluee 2008 says, you can take the hit collectively but still acknowledge there's and issue with the offense cause everybody with eyes can see there is.  My problem is that I'm not sure if Hoke truly believes there's any problem that a year more experience won't solve and that is quite frightening.

maizenbluenc

November 12th, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^

Then we have a much bigger problem.

This is not 1969, where if you just whack them with yardsticks enough the 100+ scholarship players will become a force able to impose their will within the big two and little eight. And lets face it, even that didn't work in the Rose Bowl.

taistreetsmyhero

November 12th, 2013 at 9:26 AM ^

This is a perfectly answer to give in response to "how do you feel about the playcalling:" Well, uh ya know, I guess we've been hitting our head against the wall calling plays that I just haven't coached well enough to have success--And that's on me for being too stubborn to adapt to what our offense has shown it can and can't do.

AriGold

November 12th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^

yay Borges! he is the best play-caller of all time!!! Fuck it lets just keep running for negative yards and then blame the players when teams with far worse o-lines (Purdue and USM) have rushed for more yards against Nebraska!!!!! woohoooooooo Fuck Yeah baby!!!! #Borges4President!!!!!

wahooverine

November 12th, 2013 at 7:57 PM ^

I don't care what a coach says at his contractually required presser. It's meaningless. Yes, it is meaningless and for anyone to interpret his responses as indicators of his 1) football knowledge, 2) passion to win or 3) willingness to solve overt on-field flaws, is making something out of nothing.

 

JHendo

November 11th, 2013 at 11:32 PM ^

There's a difference between not throwing someone under the bus and looking like you not only have zero knowledge whatsoever of how offense works, but that you also have no sense of urgency.  I get the whole coach speak thing, but to be completely and brutally honest, Hoke didn't come off as a guy who was just being PC, he come off as a complete moron who has absolutely no idea what's going on.

imMaizeNBlu

November 11th, 2013 at 11:43 PM ^

I understand the frustration that we as fans so rightfully should feel, I agree with the OP. IIRC doesn't Bo's "The Team" speech speak of not criticizing or blaming each for mistakes, doesn't the speech include working as one and keeping critiques in house amongst you teammates and coaches and letting that family nucleus sort things out.



I get understand the frustration but I think most should have seen this coming. This interior OL that has cost us so many games is young and growing and will take time to gel. Hell, most of Hoke's kids in general from this class of I believe three years ago are not yet at the point where they can be consistently good consistently.



Best thing to do is acknowledge this, hope that the kids maturation into next year is substantial to get them going at a high peak, and hope Ohio underestimates us come "The Game" so we can spoil that perfect season of theirs. Go Blue.

JD_UofM_90

November 12th, 2013 at 6:47 AM ^

while young, I think the coaching staff is 100% to blame for both the PSU and Nebraska losses.  I think a competent staff and play calling wins each of these games by more than a TD, even with an inexperienced line.  That is my frustration with Hoke and Co.  The coaching staff is supposed to "elevate" the team to their best chance of winning.  Not pull them down to epic levels of failure.

imMaizeNBlu

November 12th, 2013 at 8:13 AM ^

While the staff is far from perfect and definitely need to be more methodical in seeing what works vs was doesn't and needing to adapt quicker to they're being shown, I don't believe that Hoke going out there and openly critiquing their performance to the media and fans is something he does wrong. If he and the staff were perfect we wouldn't be in the hole we're in now nor having this talk.



That's what I'm trying to get across, not that the staff nor players have it all worked out.

MaizeMN

November 11th, 2013 at 11:56 PM ^

Techniques and fundamentals. They need work from players and coaches. I do like that Hoke acknowledges that the buck stops with the Head Coach, first and foremost. If we cannot penetrate "The Fort" for injury or recruiting information, what makes any of us believe we will concerning coaching issues or decisions? Make no mistake, I'm not happy with recent play, coaching or MSC halftime slurring, but I'm less happy with having to buy "Three and Out 2.0."

JustDangle17

November 11th, 2013 at 11:57 PM ^

You guys are so stupid. Do you really think hoke has no idea about any offensive philosophy???? How could he have possibly been hired michigans head coach having no basic idea of how an offense runs....so what he doesn't say what you want to hear in a presser, the media is owed nothing when it comes to interviews.

By a show of hands....how many of you have actually sat in a meeting room with hoke while they're talking about an offensive game plan??? I would bet none of you, and I would also bet that hoke knows every single formation and blocking scheme they could possibly use.

If we based coaching knowledge of interviews what would you people say about belichick???? Damn some of you are dumb. Sorry, rant over

JustDangle17

November 12th, 2013 at 12:36 AM ^

Never said he was a genuis, but for some people to say he has no idea what is going on with the Offense is absurd. Do I think there needs to be a change at OC/O-line? Yes probably, I think they need a change of scenery for those coaches...sometimes you see in sports a player who is under performing gets traded and he turns into an all star. I think the same thing can be said for coaches, maybe a new OC and line coach can get across to these kids better

aiglick

November 12th, 2013 at 12:11 AM ^

No need to call people dumb. Don't think people should call the coaches fatas*es either but wtvr. The question I have and I think a lot of people have asked is if this is all coach speak and Brady knows what the poblem is then why doesn't he tell Borges "we are throwing more screens and short passes to combat the constant blitzing teams are doing until such time as teams back the f*ck off."

At this point I am hopeful that Brady feels all this pressure and realizes it would be a huge gamble to not make any staff changes next year and risk a similar season. If he does not make a single change and we have a similar season next year then he will be on the hot seat in 2015. We will need to make the BTCG and probably win it that year and no excuses will be acceptable at that point. The early off season should unfortuantely be very intriguing.

delmarblue

November 12th, 2013 at 12:02 AM ^

already thrown the players under the bus with his 'execution' chants like a hare krishna.  i like the repeated questions just so he knows that despite his bs answers, he knows he's not fooling anyone.  the seat is getting warmer

sheepdog

November 12th, 2013 at 12:27 AM ^

I actually agree with Hoke, there is nothing wrong with the play calling.. They just didn't execute. This offense would be fine if we were even an average running team averaging the standard 4 or 5 yards per carry. They wouldn't be great, but good enough to contend for the Big ten title. Funchess and gallon would be open and Devin would avg 75 yards per game on the ground.



The reality is that the team is not progressing, like MSU or minny's has. Which is scarier than bad play calls.

michgoblue

November 12th, 2013 at 7:06 AM ^

He is saying that the play calling was fine. The offensive plan was fine. He is saying that the problem is that our players are not being well coached enough to even do what they are asked to do in an average manner. The plays are fine , the development of the players isn't.



To me that is what is being lost in this. The problem with Borges and funk is not that they don't know how to game plan , it's that they appear unable to develop players.

Blue Mike

November 12th, 2013 at 9:25 AM ^

The game plan may be a perfectly sound plan.  It may even be a great plan.  However, my frustration with Borges is not so much that he runs a bad plan, but he has a terrible game plan FOR THIS TEAM.  By now, he should be well aware that this team cannot run up the middle.  He should be well aware that this team is susceptable to inside blitzes.  He should be aware that play-action passes on third and long aren't going to work.  

Borges can make decent play calls that are still terrible play calls for this team.  It would be nice if Borges could figure out some play calls that actually work for this team.

AlwaysBlue

November 12th, 2013 at 9:30 AM ^

with this to a degree. What I don't know is how difficult it is to overcome so much youth. Plug DG, any young guy on the line, WRs and TE into a veteran team with 4+ year system training and I think they'd be fine in developing guys.

chunkums

November 12th, 2013 at 12:27 AM ^

Agree 100%. The only thing Hoke does by questioning his coaches in public is undermine them. He gains positively nothing by saying negative things in public. Also, it is hilarious how many people on here who watch football once a week can call Hoke an idiot and say he doesn't understand offense. He probably understands it a hell of a lot better than any of us armchair coaches. Football is literally his life's work.

CompleteLunacy

November 12th, 2013 at 9:06 AM ^

You literally cannot coach a defense if you have no idea how offense works (conversely, you cannot coach an offense if you do not understand how defense works). That doesn't mean it's his expertise. But let's not act like Hoke is blind to the obvious problems on offense.

And for the love of God, while we're at it, can we stop assuming that Hoke is not going to fire anybody at the end of the season? We don't know. Nobody knows. The idea that he's going to keep his guys because they're his guys is asinine, because he HAS fired assisstants in the past, and there's nothing to suggest he can't or won't do that in the offseason. 

NoMoPincherBug

November 12th, 2013 at 12:34 AM ^

Borges is a West Coast Offensive Coordinator.  Ryan Lindley threw for 28 TDs under Borges, and looked terrible the next year when Borges was gone.

Devin is not a West Coast QB, and the OL sucks. 

Playcalling is not the problem.  They do not have the players to fit Borges system and that is what he is.. a West Coast OC. 

This is Ryan Lindley under Borges...

JamieH

November 12th, 2013 at 12:36 AM ^

What does Borges being a WCO guy have to do with him idiotically running the ball up the middle over and over again into an 8-guys in the box situation when our offense had gone for -70 yards rushing over the past two games?  Does running the West Coast Offense give you a frontal lobotoby or something?   Just because Gardner isn't a typical WCO QB doesn't mean Borges shouldn'tt be capable of calling a play that has a greater than 0% chance of success with a non WCO QB.

JamieH

November 12th, 2013 at 12:31 AM ^

He can't deny that Nebraska kicked our asses.  So if he loved the playcalling so much, isn't he throwing the players under the bus by basically saying they suck so much they can't execute the fabulous plays that were called?

I think it's rather insulting to the team to ignore the fact that the coaching staff is repeatedly putting them in positions to fail.  That is what repeatedly running up the middle into a brick wall of stacked defenders is.  You can acknowledge this without "throwing Borges under the bus".  Just say "it's clear Nebraska had our number on offense, and we have to figure out exactly why that was and get it corrected." 

IMO claiming the playcalling was great was both an insult to the intelligence of the fans and an insult to the effort of the players.

Maize and Blue…

November 12th, 2013 at 1:01 PM ^

as saying Nebraska just copied MSU's defensive strategy.  If for 3 years you haven't been able to solve A gap blitzes and your offensive stats keep going down against said D what coach in their right mind wouldn't just copy what MSU did successfully.  Yes, Nebraska blitzed more than you've seen on film because Nebraska's coaches saw film that said you had no answer for it.  I bet every team left on the schedule blitzes more than our staff has seen on their game film.  Just figure out a way to solve the problem!

The two screen passes we threw for a combined 50 yards is a good start, but then the so called genius never called one again.  Hey a play that works lets put it in our back pocket for later in the game.  Oops the games over and I forgot to call it again.