More Hokie-Pokey
I didn't see this linked in the long reply tree to Brian's Hoke feature, so here's more fuel for the non-fire that is all things BH. Not that we would want to stoke a non-fire.
http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/brady-hokes-career-goals-inc…
I have to agree with Brian that there's no way Brandon turns Hoke's pipe dreams into our most likely miserable reality.
December 11th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
I'm very low on conspiracy theories generally, but I've become convinced after reading enough that Auburn is paying players not just named Newton. Chizik is alleged to be cool with that in a way Tuberville wasn't, and I think that might pretty fairly explain how Auburn, with a no-name coach, pulled the top recruits in FL, LA, and AL in the same year.
December 11th, 2010 at 3:12 PM ^
SEC - Not Columbus. I do suspect that several SEC teams bend the rules, and bend them as far as they can. But I don't think the NCAA is turning a blind eye to SEC violations. Auburn has a long history of boosterism as do many of these other SEC schools. Still, I'd be surprised if Auburn broke any rules with Newton. Don't think Mississippi State did either. That's just too blatant.
December 11th, 2010 at 1:47 PM ^
when we keep Rich Rod and establish a new era of Michigan football that will last until theres a time where something cooler than the Internet exists and people will be talking about that generation's Rich Rod on a forum way cooler than this, but still relativly about the same stuff.
December 11th, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^
... for Dave Brandon. After all the dissention over RR, if Brandon decides to replace RR this year he better pick someone that a majority of the fanbase supports. Hoke would be, at best, controversial. The anti-RR faction will be upset that RR has been canned and the pro-Harbaugh faction will be extremely disappointed.
If Brandon fires RR and replaces him with Hoke this year, he risks losing his own job if Hoke does not work out (especially if RR goes somewhere else and is successful). That is why, at least for now, Brandon either replaces RR with Harbaugh or keeps RR for another year. I agree with Brian -- zero probability Hoke replaces RR this year.
December 11th, 2010 at 2:47 PM ^
What if Harbaugh comes here and it doesn't work out. Not saying it will happen. Or Harbaugh leaves for the NFL after a couple of years of success. What will the fanbase and donors do to DB. There are risk everywhere. Not an advocate for Hoke.
December 11th, 2010 at 3:07 PM ^
I don't understand the fear that Harbaugh would come here, be successful then leave for the NFL.
<br>
<br>1. If the NFL is his ultimate goal, he can do that now.
<br>2. Don't you want a guy that everyone else covets?
December 11th, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^
I don't understand it either. But, many have brought that up about Jim possibly leaving. To be honest, I could care less if he goes to the NFL.
And I just asked a question to see what others are thinking about the risks of the decision DB has to make. As coaches, I think JH and Coach Rod could both be successful. I'll leave it at that.
December 11th, 2010 at 3:15 PM ^
No question, the safe thing for Dave Brandon to do is give RR another year. If he does that and RR does not make enough progress, he can replace him next year and the entire "RR experiment" will be blamed on Bill Martin. Dave Brandon will be able to reasonably claim he gave RR a fair opportunity.
However, if Brandon replaces RR this year, he takes ownership of the situation immediately. If he replaces RR "early" and the replacement turns out to be a bust, the failure will be blamed on Brandon. But at least if he hires Harbaugh, a large segment of the fanbase will be with him and be more likely to cut Harbaugh slack if there are growing pains. Even some of the pro-RR faction might be willing to hold their noses and give Harbaugh a chance. After all, he did go 11-1 at Stanford, he's one of our most successful former players, he played for Bo, his teams exhibit "toughness", his name is being thrown around for nearly every college HC opening and a few NFL ones, etc. If Brandon replaces RR with Harbaugh and Harbaugh does not work out, Brandon will take some heat, but it will be difficult for people to claim it was an obviously poor decision (especially the ones who are pushing for just that).
On the other hand, if Brandon fires RR after three years and hires Brady Hoke? C'mon, the only HC jobs I have heard his name seriously mentioned for are Indiana and Minnesota (and even they didn't hire him). If Brandon replaces RR this year with Brady Hoke and Hoke turns out to be a bust, you will find no one lining up behind Brandon saying it was still a good decision. And God forbid if RR goes onto another school (i.e. Clemson) and starts hunting national championships while Hoke is losing. It is hard to see Brandon ever fully recovering from something like that.
December 11th, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^
Nice thoughts. Just curious as to what others are thinking. I wonder if DB considers all these what if's and the reactions to them or is the decision much more simple for him.
December 11th, 2010 at 3:03 PM ^
But I don't think DB is the least bit worried about how a coaching selection will affect his job standing. No way Hoke is the guy. I think he's thinking strategically about the football program, and with that line of thinking will select the next (or current) coach based upon how he sees them taking this program forward. There may be some other wild card out there but I doubt it. I think he chooses RR or JH depending upon how he envisions them building in the long term (assuming JH is open to the job). I don't think 7-5 or the bowl game really come into play.
December 11th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^
Why come so much Hoke bashing? Pipe dreams? I agree the guy is not currently qualified, but he's got a very strong resume so far and should not be viewed as a joke of a coach.
December 11th, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
I think people are afraid that unless it's clear that the fanbase doesn't view him as a legitimate candidate, he might actually become one. Also, there is significant disagreement on whether he actually does have a "very strong resume."
December 11th, 2010 at 3:17 PM ^
This line of thinking makes the very, very dubious assumption that David Brandon consults this message board for advice on the coaching situation.
December 11th, 2010 at 7:25 PM ^
Let's get realistic. The UM fans could not handle a boy from West Va whose wife has some high hair. So now are we going to get a guy like Frank Beamer who does the hokey pokey after every game? That seems to be a stretch to me.
Put your left foot in................ Frank does it so well. Would Hoke hokey pokey as well?
December 11th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
DB is not gonna fire RR for Hoke, end of discussion.
December 11th, 2010 at 3:15 PM ^
I have to agree with Brian that there's no way Brandon turns Hoke's pipe dreams into our most likely miserable reality.
Hoke's not my preference to coach next season, but come on. This is way too histrionic.
December 11th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
especially as he might, in 5 or 10 years, carry a strong enough resume. However, my concerns are:
A. He doesn't yet qualify for the HC position here;
B. I don't yet trust Brandon to not poop this one, based on what I believe to be a shaky "evaluation" process that he insists on conducting;
C. I believe the "disarray" in the program (a word I've heard used by a number of anti-Rodriguez proponents) is largely a construction of those who want him gone, but that could, given time and momentum, become reality, leading to Rodriguez' dismissal and a poor hire ...
... and so on.
December 11th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
December 11th, 2010 at 6:08 PM ^
I can't believe that he makes statements about wanting to be Michigan's coach when he JUST got a raise.
December 11th, 2010 at 6:53 PM ^
December 11th, 2010 at 7:18 PM ^
Put your left foot out, yada yada and I like to dance but the hokey pokey will never ever have anything to do with Brady Hoke.
I hoke! Whoops, I mean I hope!