Semi-OT: Congrats to Brady Hoke and SDSU
All in all, a pretty impressive season for SDSU and Brady Hoke. They won 12 games, beat Arizona and Utah (!), made it to the Mountain West Championship Game and then beat a ranked UTSA team in the bowl game.
Though it didn't work out here, I've always felt Hoke's love for Michigan was truly heartfelt, so I'm glad to see him succeed elsewhere. SDSU feels like the right scale of program for him.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:24 PM ^
Devin Gardner was actually a late era RRod recruit I’m pretty sure, maybe Hoke sealed the deal? But I’m pretty sure he was more Rich Rod’s guy, his skill set certainly fit that bill.
Also, I would not call his offensive recruiting poor. He loaded us up with high level Oline recruits that didn’t pan out at all until the early Harbaugh years (and were poorly developed in Hoke’s tenure). Chesson, Darboh, Grant Perry and Funchess were all his guys at WR as well. Jake Butt became an All-American level TE in 2015 and 2016. He also brought in a 5 star QB in Morris, and a 5 star back in Derrick Green both who didn’t pan out due to development. Also don’t forget Deveon Smith, Drake Johnson, and Sione Huma who all ended up very solid options in the backfield in Harbaugh’s first 2 years here. Jabrill Peppers also did plenty of nice things on offense when needed. And of course we can’t forget the beloved Khalid Hill.
He had some guys on offense, he lacked the uber-explosive speed in space receiver (although Chesson was pretty dang explosive at times), and his two highest rated offensive skill recruits ended up as busts. His problem was offensive player development and having a creative offensive game plan that didn’t telegraph all it’s schemes straight into hands of the opposing defenses.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
I like Brady,classy human being with a keen eye for d line talent.With that being said Michigan administration should have made a run after JH when LC retired.A lack of poor planning and not doing their homework.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
At that point Harbaugh was a 4th year college football coach with 3 years at San Diego University and 1 year at Stanford where he went 4-8.
Michigan fans would have melted down if that hire had taken place then.
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:02 PM ^
Yeah that would not have been a recipe for success. The only thing that has kept Harbaugh here through the first 6 years have been his coaching accomplishments "we know this guy can win." Without that, he lasts 3-5 years and is gone.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:17 PM ^
I would argue three 10 win seasons, being very competitive for the B1G East crown going into OSU game every year sans 2017 (QB injuries galore) and 2020 (throw away Covid year), recruiting well, and taking us from a team near the bottom of the B1G back to national relevance is the reason Harbaugh stayed thru 6 years. I think most any coach with his success in that tenure (without scandal) would have kept their job at UM, especially after the 7 years that preceded him being here. But yes, of course his previous coaching prowess helped him and it damn well should have.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
I always thought he had the blueprint for beating OSU. He prioritized that game on the calendar and despite the talent and coaching disparities, those games were always competitive. If there's one thing I can appreciate from his tenure, it's that.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:33 AM ^
And I think that Harbaugh learned a lesson from that.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:18 AM ^
Beat Arizona?
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:34 AM ^
Congrats Coach Hoke. Keep it rolling.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:36 AM ^
Glad it worked out for him and SDSU. They are back together where they belong.
It's the old Hollywood movie ending. Boy meets football team, boy loses football team, boy gets football team back.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:40 AM ^
My two favorite Brady quotes are:
When asked what he calls the school his niece goes to (Ohio U) as he calls OSU "Ohio", Brady replied - "Bobcats"
When questioned about his refusal to wear a headset Brady opined: "Have you ever heard what is being said on those headsets?"
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
I’m not a Hoke fan. Hate the “Michigan Man” moniker.
December 23rd, 2021 at 12:07 AM ^
username checks out.
December 22nd, 2021 at 11:51 AM ^
I love that man.
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:03 PM ^
Seems like a good guy. Maybe the worst part of him as a HC here was Dave Brandon.
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
Yeah, congrats to him. I know people have called Ed Orgeron "Cajun Brady Hoke" but Hoke's a better coach than him and seems like a decent guy. Glad he's having success.
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:54 PM ^
Congratulations to him & SDS.
December 22nd, 2021 at 12:59 PM ^
I like Hoke the man, I even like him as a coach. I still think that the Michigan job is over his head. Many of us have known people who got promoted who were clearly not up to the job and that was the case here. Hoke is a good coach at the lower levels. For a P5 program, not so much. I hope he stays at SDSU and retires there. I respect him but he was not a good fit as the HC at UM.
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
I would think the fact that it took Harbaugh 7 years to beat Ohio State & win the Big 10 championship might be reason for folks to re-evaluate the Hoke era.
also, the ‘Hoke did a poor job of recruiting QBs” definitely deserves another look given Harbaugh’s QB recruiting record at Michigan.
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:56 PM ^
Downvoted for essentially saying there is no way he could succeed at any power 5 program. He could do well somewhere in the right situation if he can constantly turn SDSU into a winner. Hell, he recruited awesome for us and at least fixed our defense, and he had to deal with that loser Dave Brandon who drives every organization he’s in charge of into the ground.
December 22nd, 2021 at 1:18 PM ^
Beating Utah is a great win. Beating U of A.... puts you in company with the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks!
Sorry to any U of A fans on this board and GO DEVILS!
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:03 PM ^
Amazing what a guy can do when unburdened of Dave Brandon.
December 22nd, 2021 at 2:11 PM ^
Seems clear to me now that the poor guy was simply promoted one step too high. He's a great G5 head coach.
December 22nd, 2021 at 10:02 PM ^
Great to see all the success for Brady Hoke this year. With no home games.
December 23rd, 2021 at 3:21 AM ^
Along with RichRod, these two coaches contributed to the worst years in Michigan Football history. I don't root for anyone simply because they were a *Michigan* man, or a good person. I don't hate either, but could care less what they do in the future. They ruined what was a huge part of my life in my early years. Michigan Football.