Salt Lake Tribune: Utahan take on Hoke's future

We could talk about the state of internet "journalism", (or even print journalism in the past 100-200 years).

We could talk about how authors simply can't "kill their darlings" and rally around trite turns of phrase to drive their poor article (i.e. they never had a great teacher/writing instructor)

And those would be fair criticisms leveled.

But I am interested at least the concept he's getting at. Maybe not to the degree that the article seems to suggest.

In short, I'd be lying if I said there isn't something there that peaks my interest.

Because, in many ways UM has looked soft. And considering MAC-level programs, for Hoke to turn around 2 different programs to 11-2 records, c'mon guys, that's A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. What would you say if a MAC program ran the table like that?

I've heard from many people that Brady Hoke had an amazing talent of "placing chips on the shoulders of his players", and let's face it, X's and O's aside, football is a sport about GRIT and ANGER. It's easy to forget after seeing it on T.V. so long (just like the NHL!), that those athletes are TRAIN-WRECKING eachother. "Ten-Yard-Fight" is not just a cool phrase, that's what's happening, we just get to sit and watch from afar, or through a mechanical lense thats broadcast through an electric wire and recomposed onto glass or plastic.

How difficult has it been for Hoke, who's experience is rallying the guys who were the "you're too small", "not fast enough", "not enough star-ratings" to reach great feats, versus working with the kids who "have it all" where so far "everything has come easy (or pretty easy", who have pretty much been given gifts athletically, and never faced much adversity until the colleve-level?

And there IS something to the "blue blood" statement, like Mike Tyson said, "Everybody always got a plan...until they get hit". Let's not forget all these "Top Players" that we become giddy over played through H.S. as pretty much Men-among-Boys, and then when you talk about Michigan-level recruits, you're talking about Gods-among-Boys. Remember, our O-lineman, sure they get stronger/faster after arriving in college, but is H.S. their height/weight was pretty much the same. The type of work they have to do is almost nothing, they are almost purely coveted for their size, and then whatever "talent" or "skill" they display ON TOP of that. And these 6'2-4" WRs, how much work do they have to do at the high-school level? I don't know, I'm just asking.

I don't necessarily agree with the guy, but at the same time, the idea that we're getting these "Lamborghini"-type players and that Hoke has MADE HIS NAME working with "Blue Collar"-type players, and that that could be why there's been so much mediocrity, it isn't exactly illogical.

I'm curious as to others feel here. Beyond some sound-byte dismissal platitude.

Why would a new coach have to have a former Michigan connection? Because that's what has been largely done in the past?  Did John Beilein have a Michigan connection before becoming its coach?

The fact of the matter is that there aren't too many Urban Meyers or James Franklins looking for new jobs, but that doesn't mean that there aren't good people out there who would rise to the occasion, although there is risk.  

I have the feeling that we will know long before the end of the season which way the wind is blowing.

of the Michigan coaching tree did Bo drop?

Well, Hoke has been Michigan's coach for 25% of their 10+ win seasons since 2000, and is also tied for the most wins in any single season since 1997.  His average yearly record of 9-4 is also right on par with Michigan's average since 2000.