When did Hoke lose you?
Simple question. I know, timing is weird with us having one last shot at salvaging a bowl game but the situation only embigens the question.
For me, the first dent in the armor was Penn State last year where it seemed like the coaching staff lost us the game. That was the first time I wondered if we had the right guys in charge.
The final nail in the coffin was Utah, which in hindsight doesn't look quite as bad but in context was unbearable.
But I think he lost me during the bowl game last year. Again, another loss that looks a little better in hindsight. But the team that showed up at that bowl game looked uninspired and unprepared. Sort of set the tone for all of 2014. Also, was the impetus for my username (and also explanation for the spelling--alcohol).
November 18th, 2014 at 9:02 PM ^
I don't think he ever really had me to lose, but like a lot of diehard Michigan fans, that initial press conference and the way he talked about Michigan put me a little more at ease. Then 11-2 happened and the Sugar Bowl win and I thought maybe this guy was a miracle worker. "The Stretch" last year against Akron, UConn and Penn State really confirmed my initials fears. Followed up by blowing a huge lead against a subpar Iowa team and then the way they shit the bed in the bowl game.
I started to buy back in at the beginning of this year because I figured his recruits were a year older and the line would gel earlier than it did. Then Notre Dame happened. If you can't get your team up for a better performance against one of your biggest rivals in the last game of the series for the forseeable future, then you really don't belong at a major college program.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:04 PM ^
The moment I saw him wearing black pants with the colors of the Wolverines.. Where was his wife when he made this fashion blunder?? Then!.. He even got Jim Brandstatter to participate! I knew we were in trouble.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:07 PM ^
Everyone has pretty much said what I feel.
It's so depressing because I never dreamed it would have gotten THIS bad. When he was hired in 2011 and the rest of the college football world was like, "Seriously? Brady Hoke is the best coach Michigan could get?" I didn't have a strong opinion either way. But I really, really liked it when Hoke said he would have walked from California to be the head coach here because it was his dream job. And I was REALLY hoping he would have success.
We all know what's happened since. And it's got to stop. Players not developing. Us constantly making awful teams look like world beaters. Getting blown out by our rivals and not seeming very embarrassed by it. No emotion, no anger on the sidelines...just endless clapping. It's been a disaster and it's time for Hoke to move on.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:07 PM ^
Denard to be benched entire second half of the OSU game
November 18th, 2014 at 9:10 PM ^
Against Nebraska when DG was a WR and Russell attempted to play QB without switching DG to QB was the first question mark
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November 18th, 2014 at 9:13 PM ^
Horrible game. Especially when you drove there to see it.
I was already on the fence but that was it for me.
It wouldn't have broke my heart if they would have got rid of him after the bowl game last year.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^
Penn State 2013.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:23 PM ^
Without question it was PSU last year. That wasn't the first time I questioned him but it was when I knew I was done with him. That loss was completely on coaching and came on the heels of two very shaky wins.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^
In hindsight I was optimistic for far too long. I didn't lose all hope until Notre Dame this year.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:27 PM ^
Yep...PSU 2013. Terrible display of coaching.
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November 18th, 2014 at 9:29 PM ^
He never had me.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:39 PM ^
When we changed OCs and the offense looks and performs nearly identically. It's clear Hoke has mandated certain things be in the game plan results be damned. This is a broken, antiquated scheme that he clings to like this phantom of a "Michigan Man" that haunts this program. We need an exorcism, a program transfusion and Hoke is part of that.
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November 18th, 2014 at 9:54 PM ^
Last year Bellamypalooza. How any staff thought that was a viable option and stayed w it. Man.
Honorable Mention- PSU last yr, Akron.
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November 18th, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^
Notre Dame. I was expecting some major improvement this year, and knew that the ND game would be very telling. Well, the game was very telling, that we were even worse than last year. That's when I knew Hoke just wasn't the answer, everything that has ensued since then has just been confirmation.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:04 PM ^
Not yet. Not a great coach but he sticks up for the kids and keeps at it. If he is let go at end of the year I won't be sad about it. But I continue to root for him and the team while they play.
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November 18th, 2014 at 10:05 PM ^
next week. I am already icing my ass just thinking of that one.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:10 PM ^
Hoke never lost me. That doesn't mean I am going to argue for him, nor does it mean that I'll stop going to games when he is fired. But he never lost me, and I still think Hoke is a good coach. I'm almost at the point where I'd like to see the team win against Maryland, Ohio State, and the Bowl Game, and Hoke still get fired. That way, the majority of the fans who think he is the problem will be satisfied with blood. Many great recruits will jump ship. And we'll get to experience what a real tire fire is.
This post of mine is stupid, and invites a negative response. It reminds me of the reason why I need to just walk away from the blog altogether. I guess I just strongly dislike the presumption of the question, "when did Hoke lose you?" The fan/blog hive mind is an incredible thing, which is beyond me to stand against.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:17 PM ^
Just curious, but how could you possibly think he's a good coach after watching this downward spiral for the past 3 years? These 4 and 5 star players that he brings in look like they're still in their freshmen years of high school. His in game coaching is horrendous. His only positive attribute is that he's a personable guy.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:28 PM ^
What are you talking about? We've already seen a bunch of great recruits jump ship and say they're no longer considering us.
November 19th, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
Have you ever just thought you are wrong?
That your opinion isn't based on reality, but things you've just made up?
November 19th, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^
Again with the hive mind. It's not like these are baseless opinions. There is plenty of evidence that Hoke has incontrovertibly been a poor coach for our team. He has regressed every single year and apparently can't get out of his own way. Hoke's problem is that he is not detail oriented and can't control everything as well as other coaches at this level. People say he's a nice guy well unfortunately being a nice guy is not the only thing that matters.
I personally wonder if Hoke feels any empathy for RichRod because he is now just starting to reach the levels of antipathy that was bestowed on our former coach from almost day one.
You are certainly allowed your opinion but pretty much all the evidence seems to point to Hoke not being the guy at this level.
I sincerely hope the next guy is given the support of Hoke and is an innovator like RichRod who most certainly changed the game into something our program just doesn't seem to want to incorporate. This next hire is going to either turn us around or won't have a problem hanging on since I think another failure will break our will after this extended mediocrity in which we've been mired.
C'est la vie.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:13 PM ^
If I had to boil it down to one singular moment, it was probably Shane-Gate. That was coaching malpractice at its finest. Completely disregard the atrocities happening on the field. Hoke's inability to protect his own players made me not want him leading this program anymore. But my faith in Hoke has eroded ever since Notre Dame 2012.
-Hoke's inability to prepare a backup for Denard in the Nebraska game. Bellomy looked like he'd never played football before when he was out there.
-Completely taking Denard out of the OSU offensive gameplan in the second half of what was a very winnable game in 2012. Hoke and Borges single-handedly prevented us from scoring a huge upset and momentum boost in the rivalry.
-Almost adding App State versions II and III against Akron and UConn last year.
-Playing not to lose at Penn State last year.
-Getting curb stomped by MSU, this year and last.
-Getting out-coached by Bo F-ing Pelini and Kirk F-ing Ferentz last year.
-Getting shut out and embarrassed by Notre Dame in the last game of the series.
-Getting outclassed by Minnesota. Yeah, they're a good team this year, but we should still be able to beat up on them.
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November 19th, 2014 at 5:01 PM ^
Your first paragraph represents a lot of what's wrong about this place.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:18 PM ^
Honestly, and I'm being honest, I doubted him SERIOUSLY his first game when he wasn't wearing a headset, I didn't lose faith in him, I just seriously scratched my head, I still don't understand how you can be a head football coach and not wear a headset....
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November 18th, 2014 at 10:40 PM ^
When he lost me, a combination of Osu in 2012, Nebraska/PSU 2013, and Utah this season.
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November 18th, 2014 at 10:33 PM ^
I started to seriously question during OSU 2012. We would have won that game with good coaching.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:37 PM ^
During the Utah game I saw the desperation and thought it was over for Hoke. After the Minnesota game I thought they should let him mid-season.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:37 PM ^
During the Utah game I saw the desperation and thought it was over for Hoke. After the Minnesota game I thought they should let him mid-season.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:39 PM ^
I started to seriously question during OSU 2012. We would have won that game with good coaching.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:55 PM ^
UM vs OSU 2012, it looked like the entire game plan changed at halftime, and we couldn't score another point. That halftime adjustment made me doubt him from then on.
November 18th, 2014 at 11:12 PM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 11:34 PM ^
I can't lose them. Since I can remember those Wolverines have captivated me. Sure they've pissed me off a shit ton, but it's like really good drugs. Just can't quit.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:11 AM ^
It's hard for me to say this, but I've been feeling very similar.
It's hard, because I remember the days when Michigan was awesome. And I remember watching those games with members of my family that were very important and influential to me, that are now gone.
So, it's very hard for me to let go, but unfortunately I am quickly losing interest.
November 18th, 2014 at 11:09 PM ^
First, all the posts of he never had me? That first year with the bowl win I think he had 90+ percent of us. Come on now.
I knew he would lose his job with the Minnie loss.
I watched the entire Rutgers game and knew for myself he had to go after that mess of a game.
Four things this year:
1 - QB play(I love Devin, but its been a tough year).
2 - D has not been there at critical times - Gary Nova'ed.
3 - O-line - They have been slower to develop then my facial hair in high school.
4 - Not having Peppers - I hope to see Superman Peppers next season. What a talent!!!
November 18th, 2014 at 11:09 PM ^
I'm sorry, but I never liked the hire. I thought he was a step back from where RR was trying to take the offense and was a capable D-Coordinator away from having us do what OSU is doing this year: Have an unstoppable offense with a more than capable defense.
November 18th, 2014 at 11:12 PM ^
I'm sorry, but I never truly cared for him. I thought he was a step back from RichRod as I assumed he was a capable d-coordinator away from doing exactly what OSU has done since Meyer arrived: Have an unstoppable offense and a capable defense.
November 18th, 2014 at 11:56 PM ^
U know Michigan screw RR. Ask yourself this, How does a former Michigan coach goes 15-22 and 6-18 at Michigan in Three season to Arizona 24-12 and 13-12 currently rank in top 15 in Three season. Something is wrong with that picture.
November 18th, 2014 at 11:12 PM ^
Utah punt return put me on the edge
Minnesota pushed me over, not starting devin over Shane was not giving the team an actual chance to win
November 18th, 2014 at 11:19 PM ^
I began to question him last year. I mean, You keep the Denard offense for Denard, but then see Devin run it better and make him run man ball. Then they fired Borgrs and I thought.... Eh. Maybe. Then the Notre Dane game was brutal I thought.... Oh well, maybe we will actually buckle down and not shrink from the hype of beating an overrated ND in September this year. Then Utah happened. I had no words. I've never been that sick over a sports team. I literally would have rather fucked a cheese grater.
November 18th, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^
Notre Goddamn Dame this year killed me. Alone in a hotel room in Yakima, WA with a twelve pack. Not pretty.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:50 AM ^
What the hell were you doing in Yakima?
November 18th, 2014 at 11:49 PM ^
How about leading Miami of Ohio by a touchdown at halftime. One of the worst teams in the NCAA. Just embarrassing.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:05 AM ^
Damn cry babies here
November 19th, 2014 at 12:15 AM ^
the Russell bellomy Nebraska game. Odd thing about that game is we were in the drivers seat to goto the big ten championship game - I still think if denard never gets hurt we would be playing in Indy that year. Which would have completly changed the perception of the program - but alas it wasn't meant to be.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:19 AM ^
Some time between the 2nd half of ND and the first half of Miami. That's when I realized what a tire fire this season was and how the team did not progress at all during the off season.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:19 AM ^
Benching Gardner well into the second half until an injury forced his hand.
November 19th, 2014 at 12:39 AM ^
Last year's bowl game.
November 19th, 2014 at 1:05 AM ^
When UM had 4th & 10 from ND 26 and he chose to go for it instead of kicking the FG and preserving the shutout streak. His lack of knowledge of the record and stubbornness to try to prove a point made it clear he was not the right man to lead this program. When Gardner was sacked I said "that's it! You need to be fired!"
November 19th, 2014 at 1:14 AM ^
Minnesota game. Three series after it's painfully obvious to all <100,000 fans in the stadium that Shane Morris can barely walk, let alone play quarterback, Devin Gardner comes in and almost effortlessly leads a touchdown drive, but it's too late to make the game competitve. Guy just didn't know how to win when he had the tools.
November 19th, 2014 at 1:33 AM ^