Coaches Meeting With Players All around the Country
Was just informed via an email from Brady Hoke,(I'm an ex manager, so I'm on the list) that he and the coaches are traveling the country to meet with all the ex players. There are about 15 meetings around the country.
Spouses aren't invited. (I thought that was interesting, maybe it shows the seriousness of their commitment?)
Anyway, I sure as heck don't want to get into an argument about RR VS BH, but I've never seen this done before under Rodriguez, Carr or Moeller. Or, maybe it was done, but I wasn't on 'the list'.
I'll update after the meeting in May.
It sure seems like they are committed to be connected with the former players (and managers!)
I agree about clarifying rules about being a booster. Certainly former football players can be a great influence on the upcoming players, but we want to make sure it is clean.
I agree with the question: "Who are the targets?"
Tom Brady doesn't come around much, but what players/coaches can we really identify that need to be reconnected?
Woodley was at the spring game a couple years ago but I didn't see him this weekend. Could he be a target?
Anthony Carter?
"Listen guys, this may not be a good team for several years. We need you to hang tough through thick AND thin. . . unlike what we saw with Coach Rod. . ."
Sounds like a great diplomatic move. Getting Michigan football on the right track, like it or not, has a lot to do with getting everyone on the same page. By reaching out as he has already and continues to do Hoke is planting seeds for success most notably in public perception, but also with regards to recruiting. Hoke is clearly looking to the long term future of the program and that starts by mending fences now. Whether or not the mending should have been necessary is for a different discussion entirely.
My dad is one of the former players that will be traveling with Hoke in Ohio!
The meeting on May 10th is in Lansing. I love it. haha
May 26 in Columbus.
Very smart on the recruiting front. "Recruits recruits and more recruits..."
As for the divide - well winning takes care of that as well as student athletes like Denard. I'm so glad that guy is one of us. Love that guy! =]
Can spend the money however they see neccessary as long as they are supporting themselves. They are one of the few profitable athletic departments in the nation so I am not going to question how they use their resources. (Granted it helps when you can shove 109,901 fans into a stadium for $70 a pop, but I digress)
With 7 home games that equals $53,851,490 annually. I bet there's a ton of overhead though.
I think the Athletic Department Budget will top $107 MM this year.
Ditto, you hit the nail on the head!
April 20th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^
I think there are good reasons to do it and good arguments against it. (Like, the time could be better spent recruiting future players, not past ones.) But honestly I don't think this speaks well of our former players. Braylon is the extreme example, but why should the coach feel like he has to mollycoddle and spoil these guys just to make them feel "welcome"? Shouldn't they be enthusiastic backers of the team without being asked?
The Cleveland "players only" meeting is tonight with Hoke...over 30 players are going to be there tonight!