Latest Coach Hoke Interview, Detroit News
Coach Hoke's recent interview with Wojo was a very detailed session and Coach did not hold back on his perspective. Interesting read. Link: Click Here
The part that hit home the most:
"...I've heard from guys who played here from all different eras. It just pisses me off that Michigan got to that. We can't let that happen because at the end of the day, this is about Michigan, period. It's not about the coach, it never should be, or will be. And for us to be a fractured program, that's embarrassing to the memory of Yost and Crisler and Schembechler."
Also,
Q. You always say 'Ohio' instead of 'Ohio State.'
A. Yeah.
Q. How come?
A. (Smiles.) I don't know.
Hoke-a-mania - its on
February 8th, 2011 at 6:59 AM ^
Gutsy remarks about what constitutes failure. Sometimes I feel he is trying too hard to say what he thinks Bo would have said.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:18 AM ^
is OK in my book. Brady will find his own voice soon enough.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^
Don't get me wrong, I am 100% behind coach Hoke. I know from his pressers that he doesn't always sound like Bo, but claiming anything short of a championship is failure sure brings back memories.
Here's to a B1G championship next year, or failure I guess...
February 8th, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^
I wasn't around for the Bo era, but being a Michigan fan I know Bo. And any coach that is gonna "do what Bo would do" is fine by me.
February 8th, 2011 at 8:08 AM ^
This:
Q. You have 18 starters back next year, including the Big Ten offensive player of the year. I'm thinking an 8-4 record, minimum. What do you think?
A. If we don't win the championship, we failed, period.
Is the best possible answer.
February 8th, 2011 at 8:19 AM ^
Bravado's nice and I know he had to say that, but boy does that ever sound like he's trying too hard. Still it gives him a persona and if he can live up to it.......
February 8th, 2011 at 8:31 AM ^
February 8th, 2011 at 9:37 AM ^
That has always been our goal and something we are use to, so why not get back to that thinking?
February 8th, 2011 at 9:05 AM ^
I say DB has coached him at least a little bit on how to sound as different from RR as possible
February 8th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^
Or Hoke and RichRod are just two different people with two different styles of talking about things.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^
i agree that they're totally different, but would you really doubt that a conversation has occurred similar to:
"Our last guy said a, b, c, and got chastised by the media, so don't say a, b, c. Instead say toughness, tradition, and Mishigun a lot."
February 8th, 2011 at 3:13 PM ^
If you have to tell a guy how to speak in front of the media, he probably isn't right for the job.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:47 AM ^
Certianly yes, but he does have a set of talking points he seems to belabor every chance he gets. Recruit in Michigan. Toughness. Battle in the trenches are the way things are done in midwest. While he probably does sincerely believe these, it sounds more like PR strategy in the way he integrates them.
February 8th, 2011 at 11:46 AM ^
Hoke grew up a Michigan fan in Ohio. This is something that I fully understand. I was born a couple miles from tOSU campus, my mother and uncle are OSU alums, my entire family are tOSU fans. I made the choice, much like Hoke stated about himself, to root for Michigan to be thorn in the side. I assure you, to maintain that dedication to the team over the past 30+ years, I have taken my share of lumps. To this day I host my family's Thanksgiving on the day of "The Game". Hoke grew up a fan, an isolated fan in the Woody Hayes era of tOSU football. His love for Michigan runs DEEP. I highly doubt he needs DB coaching him up on how to express that.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:29 AM ^
That is the standard we have been missing the past three years, and I am so stoked to see how Brady Hoke turns this team into a national contender.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:00 AM ^
Your comment dismisses Hoke. How do you know he is trying to emulate Bo? Was Bo emulating Bump, who was emulating Bennie? Hoke is being himself, and I love Coach Hoke, who is as genuine as they come. GO BLUE.
February 8th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^
Not to be too over-critcal, but he says "what's best for Michigan" & "tremendous" way too often.
February 8th, 2011 at 3:28 PM ^
Hoke says Michigan too much. I don't think you can ever say Michigan enough. The guy says he wants everyone that has something to do with Michigan football to have a fanatical mindset. I just think he is proving.
February 8th, 2011 at 3:22 PM ^
He isn't putting up a front. That's his personality and the only way he knows how to be.
February 8th, 2011 at 8:24 AM ^
it's a breath of fresh air. I believe it's not only Bo who would have said something like that, but Mo and Llo as well. It's what we expect from Michigan football. Aside from the last 3 seasons, would you have been happy at the start of the season, if you were told Michigan was going to go 8-4?
February 8th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^
I think you hit upon just how far we have fallen in three years. It was only a few years ago that to talk about an 8-4 season was unthinkable. Now, it almost sounds good. Our lack of success on the field has created, in part, the divisiveness of the fan base and certainly hasn't helped our recruiting. You can't help but be moved by Hoke's obvious passion - comes through in everything he says. I was prepared not to like the guy - then there was his first presser. Within 20 minutes, I had bought in. I don't think you can fake this stuff. I think you are seeing the reason why former players feel the way the do about Coach Hoke.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:35 AM ^
Is our new coach Ho?
February 8th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
if you told me that at the start of the season during the last three years. Nor would I be happy if you tell me that at the start of the season the next two years.
February 8th, 2011 at 8:33 AM ^
Definitely a good read. I love the fire and heart that Coach Hoke has for the game, the University of Michigan, and the student - athletes. I can't wait to see these guys out there in spring practice getting ready for next season.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
You can tell brady hoke alot of heart not only for football but for michigan. I must have watched the press conference for his introduction 5 times just because i loved the energy he put off. This is exactly what we needed, and it's gonna pay off big time!
February 8th, 2011 at 8:33 AM ^
Best line:
A. Uh, yeah, for two years I really didn't have the best goals in mind. I wanted to play football and try to drink every beer in Muncie, Ind
.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:37 AM ^
Yeah I liked that one too. He definitely has an appealing personality.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^
mgoblue needs to have a contest where the winner gets to chug beers with Coach Hoke over homemade pizza, I'd be in.
February 8th, 2011 at 8:34 AM ^
LETS GO BLUE!
February 8th, 2011 at 9:08 AM ^
"And (Denard) is not gonna get the crap beaten out of him like at the end of the year. He thanked me for that."
February 8th, 2011 at 9:09 AM ^
Yeah I kind of thought that too when I read that.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:17 AM ^
That was an interesting quote considering we heard nothing from him during the season.
<br>He's a tough guy, but geez, a guy can only take so much pounding like he did. I'm sure anyone would be relieved. Hope we can get some RB production this year.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
I think anybody with an interest in a pro career and a legitimate shot a one probably will be grateful for the chance to be showcased in a system that keeps him away from career ending injuries. While I don't think RRod's system necessarily exposed QBs to dramatically higher injuries, it seemed like a lot of teams earlier in the season were content letting the read go to DRobb and risk the big breaks for a chance to hit him.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:11 AM ^
I love everything he said. Not because he's "channeling Bo" or any bullshit like that, but because he sounds like a genuinely good guy who will do everything in his power and within the rules to win football games.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:23 AM ^
Here's a guy that learned from his mistakes and takes the example of his teachers to heart. His schtick is pretty basic-- toughness, teaching, developing kids-- It's not that complicated, and that's what makes it doable. I love that we hear Bo in his voice, but I don't think he's trying to be Bo, I think he's resigned to the legacy that Bo has created... not a bad place to start.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:25 AM ^
...say it. I question the fandom of anyone who isn't "All In" for Brady Hoke. I'm tired of the sniping from those disappointed with "The Process". I get it. You're butthurt about the decision and the decisionmaking process. Too bad. Brady Hoke is the Michigan Wolverines head football coach and, channeling our Head Coach, your continued harping is "embarrassing to the memory of Yost and Crisler and Schembechler."
/Decatur clan diatribe
February 8th, 2011 at 10:05 AM ^
Perfectly said Shoe. Was it a subtle shot at Brian? Either way, I'm just as pissed off about the factions as Coach Hoke is and it has got to stop. He is all about Michigan and will do everything in his power to win games and that is all we can ask for right now.
February 8th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
...of any sort at Brian. As the proprietor/publisher/editor/lead writer of MGoBlog, he's entitled to his own editorial slant.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:20 AM ^
I agree with you. Too bad that many didn't take the same approach during the past three years. I don't want the RR supporters (me included) to whine anymore. But I really don't want to hear any complaints about fans not being in support from people that whined for 3 years about RR not being a Michigan Man. Those people can suck it.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:58 AM ^
...of thought is that the anti-RichRod crowd wasn't resident at MGoBlog (until the bitter end when they came out in droves). MGoBlog was the place for RichRod supporters to congregate on the interwebs. As such, there was no running battle here like there was at MLive, A2.com, etc.
I'm tired of it happening now with Hoke.
February 8th, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
That's because anyone who criticized RR on this blog got so soundly negbombed that it just wasn't worth saying anything after a while. I took my fair share of -10's and -20's for fairly reasonable points that were critical of the direction of the program. This place edited out dissent.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:21 AM ^
I'm happy that RR is gone and think we now have a much brighter future, but always hated how his defenders would question the fandom of those who would found fault with his performance. While I'm happy with the Hoke hire, I'd hate to see the same "you're not a fan" talk tossed upon the few RR loyalists still hiding in a cave. They are fans. They will still be fans. It's ok to disagree about the direction of team.
Continuing along the same path, maybe we can all drop the "All In" phrase. It was used to describe loyalty to RR, not the program. It's very divisive and certainly shouldn't be an accusation that the other "side" isn't a "fan".
February 8th, 2011 at 11:09 AM ^
..."All In" was an ironic jab at RichRod supporters who used it as a cudgel but are hypocritically not behind Hoke.
The other day (5 Feb) someone asked Jamie Morris on Twitter if another "Victors Rally" was planned. My response back and Morris' back to me let you know what I think about "All In" and Victors Rallys" as they pertain to Michigan HCs vice the program itself (chronology is earliest to latest):
February 8th, 2011 at 1:04 PM ^
Oh the "Victor's Rally"....
That was certainly a RR low point. A poorly attended rally in the middle of the winter for no point. Sweet. Even better was the message - "DETRACTORS NOT ALLOWED". So happy for that error (I mean "era") to be over.
I get the ribbing of the hypocrites. I certainly do. I can't count how many times I was told I'm "not a fan", "not all in" or to "GTFO" for mentioning things like attrition from RR's commits or poor performance. So, while it's nice to rib those who were so angry and insulting when defending RR (or anything remotely related to Him)...I just prefer, myself, not to question their fandom. They're fans...just hypocritical ones.
February 8th, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^
But I'd love to read a diary on your position and feelings on the whole thing, and the way we should be going forward. It would probably move more people than most of what we get here, because the battle lines have already been drawn pretty snarkily. Whereas you have been more information based, and very middle of the road. People have strong points on all sides, but it's either been said to death, or colored by the manner in which it's been said, which often comes from a not so delicate source or manner (cough cough....including me). People might actually listen to you. Not because you have lots of points. But because you haven't been reactionary, or overly emotional, on issues.
February 8th, 2011 at 3:59 PM ^
....is another person's outrageous postion. I've tried playing the peacemaker among warring MGoBlogerati factions before and all it did was create a major shitstorm.
All that really needs to be said is that this is Brady Hoke's team and he deserves the support of all Michigan fans. If, for whatever reason, someone is unable to muster up a basic level of support for Michigan's Head Football Coach (before his team has played a down of meaningful football), then that brand of fandom is orthoganal with my understanding of what it means to be a fan.
At this point in the program's history, anyone who still identifies as a member of The Rebellion, In Rod We Trusted, or even the Bo Clan or the Llloyd Loyalists is living in the past and seeminly only interested in settling scores. It is time to move on. It is time to Unite the Clans.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:27 AM ^
My only problem is, why isn't his cell phone playing the fight song?
February 8th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^
He traded his Blackberry in for one of those old Nokia phones that only has the Nokia tone and the game Snake.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:53 AM ^
I had one of those in 1998. You got one if you signed up for a Nokia plan where you got 100 nationwide minutes for $40 / month + free nights and weekends.
February 8th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^
Yeah I went through a few of these in high school. This used to be the phone to have.