notes from the press conference

Submitted by ish on

Brandon

National search - went to five cities in six days.

Interviewed several candidates.

Had never really met BH before this search.

Received feedback from former coaches, players and opposing coaches.

BH

"We would've walked to the University of Michigan."

Football teaches young men life skills.

Thanks RR.

Thanks his mentors.

Grew up in Ohio, but was a UM fan.  Wouldn't say "OSU" or anything like that.  "That team in Ohio."

"This is about a team."  And "character" and "toughness."

A few tears.  Ends with "Go Blue."

Questions

Don't want divides.

Our staff will understand that we have a special guy in Denard.  We know he loves UM.  We will spend more time with him.  If you have talented players you have to mold that to what's best for your team and most of the time that's what's best for the players.

Re rivalries "You want to win them.  They are front and center for the program."  We have three rivalries.

Lifeblood in recruiting is midwest so have to win.  "That school in Ohio."  Won't say its name.

Hard to leave SDSU.

My players are like my sons.

Re recruiting and retention: meeting today, will meet with seniors, will meet again with team on friday and certain players individually.  Will call all commits.  Will make all decisions as is best for the program.

"Is this where you want to be forever?" --- "Yes."

"Recruiting is a people business."  We have something special to give recruits.

"This is an elite job.  This is Michigan for godsakes.  This is Michigan"

"There's great kids in this program."  "Everyone who works with these kids will have a fanatical love for the Univeristy of Michigan or they won't work here."

"We're not a gray area program."

OSU: (banging table) "It is the most important game on that schedule.  It's almost personal"

There will be no recruiting visits this weekend.