October 22nd, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:01 AM ^
He's looking for a job for next year. What's he going to say? Don't hire me, I'm an idiot?
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^
He cannot say that (though in my opinion the shoe fits), but what he could have said from the start was that he is grateful for the chance, it didn't work out at this stop, but he still bleeds blue, supports UM, and he still is about football and training young men.
Instead, we have public second guessing and sour grapes. My guess is that he gets another job in football, but not a head coaching job, and not in P5.
One thing I know for sure, he will not have a job where he can recruit with all the built-in advantages of Michigan. Not going to happen, even as a position coach.
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:34 AM ^
Why should he say the things in the first paragraph? What purpose would that serve? To make him look good to you, a person that clearly has no interest in finding any good in him and has no impact on his future?
He even stated in the article he wasn't being critical of Harbaugh, and that it is easy to say three days later what he would do. Interesting that people are still twisting his words to make him sound worse and try to make him into someone we should hate. I saw nothing in that article that made me believe he wasn't rooting for the kids he recruited, that he didn't think Harbaugh was doing a really good job, and that he wasn't setting himself up to get another job, just as anyone in his position would do.
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:51 AM ^
I would prefer you do not speak for me, and what I have an interest in or not.
I am not his speechwriter or his advisor, just responding to what he could have said. The things in the first paragraph are known as "taking the high road". He often makes a point to say he is rooting for the kids he recruited, and he should, but he does not say he is rooting for Michigan. And for all Michigan has done for him, that is sad...for him.
I wish him no ill, but he is not engendering much compassion from me with his comments, and I suspect with a large number of Michigan fans who had thought of him as a good guy prior to hearing those comments.
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^
For somebody that "would have walked to Ann Arbor" and loves this University, He is having a very difficult time showing it through that interview. There are ways to "sell yourself" for your next gig without sounding like a complete ass hat. Just sayin
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^
What purpose does that serve him? How does that make him look better at all?
"My ex-girl friend was great, she was the best. Really great girl. I loved her a lot, still do. I wish she wouldn't have broken up with me. Would you like to go out with me?"
"I loved working at my previous job. That place was great, really loved that place. Best atmosphere, best people, best time of my life. I wish they wouldn't have fired me. Will you hire me?"
Those things tend to look really good, I'm sure.
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
Those things tend to look really good, I'm sure.
They look better than badmouthing.
There are three options in those situations:
1) Say nothing
2) Be complementary
3) Be negative
#1 is by far the best choice. #2 is better than #3, but still bad optics.
October 22nd, 2015 at 4:05 PM ^
Or we could, you know, not go full Sparty and take umbrage over every little thing someone says.
October 22nd, 2015 at 1:10 PM ^
And Politics. I guess I just refuse to believe them
October 22nd, 2015 at 1:12 PM ^
It's who you know, who you get along with. Shaking hands and kissing babies. It's a huge part of the profession, whether people realize it or not.
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^
Why should he say the things in the first paragraph?
Because he repeatedly purported to adhere to those values while he was coach here. Either he was full of it then, or he's full of it now.
He even stated in the article he wasn't being critical of Harbaugh,
Ahh... the qualifier that shows reality...
When someone says “I don't mean to offend but . . . ” - They are about offend you.
When they say, "It's not you, it's me," they're trying to tell you that it is you.
When they say, "I don't want to tell you how to raise your children, but . . ." they're telling you how to raise your children.
When one says "I'm not being critical" - it's merely a lead in to being critical.
October 22nd, 2015 at 2:13 PM ^
in the next breath tries to marginalize what Harbaugh has done this year by implying that he laid the table for him. Says he would not have punted when he had the No. 1 defense as Harbaugh did. And if he did punt there were better ways of protecting the play, which is a direct slam on the coaching staff.
But other than that Jimmy's a heck of a coach. Thanks Brady, I am sure Harbaugh will use your endorsement verbatim.
Hoke had four years here with deminishing returns. Had way too many games in which his teams looked uncompetitive, unmotivated and unprepared. To look at the teams from the last couple of years and compare it to the team we have seen this year--which is tough, determined, full of fight and desire--and to imply it is all because everyone got one year older is disingenuous at best. At worst, it is a hapless man that is desperately trying to build himself back up by taking credit for someone else's success. Even if you convinced yourself, in that headsetless brain, that you are the reason Michigan is having the season it is, you should have enough integrity not to steal someone's limelight.
October 22nd, 2015 at 10:28 PM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^
I would never say he should not speak his mind, or blame himself for all the ills of the past few years.
When he says he would have gone for it on fourth down, that seems to me to be incredibly foolish, and does not ring true.
And even if it were true, and I did not just fall off the turnip truck, he should be smart enough not to publicly imply that a painful moment for Michigan would not have occurred under his watch.
He may be speaking his mind, but I have not heard one good thing from him regarding Michigan, or about Harbaugh.
What about Brandon? For all of his missteps, and there were many, he is not making that one. No comments at all about anything, because he understands the value of the high road.
Hoke's job is to comment, but I believe I have seen evidence of him not directly answering a question while giving a comment.
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:15 PM ^
You've made up your mind and only hearing what you want to hear. He said tons of positive things about Michigan both before and once he got to Michigan. Speaking glowingly about Michigan now would only sound like someone that isn't over the past. That doesn't do well trying to get other jobs. But let me guess, when you start dating a new girl all you do is talk about how great your ex, that dumped you, was, correct?
Anyway, on Harbaugh: "Jimmy is a good coach. His staff is doing a good job". "Again, Jimmy and that staf have done a good job." "I have so much respect for the Harbaugh family."
On the Michgian team and the players: "Oh, no question about it [I'm rooting for those kids at Michigan]. Those are great families and great kids. You get attached to them and want nothing but the best for them.
Hell, he even talked about Rich Rod being a good coach. I dunno what you're reading, but maybe you shouldn't speak for Hoke.
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:35 PM ^
Let me put it this way, if a girl dumps me, I am not talking negatively about the ex to the new girl. In fact, I am not talking about the ex at all.
October 22nd, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^
Speaking glowingly about Michigan now would only sound like someone that isn't over the past.
So does speaking negatively... or speaking at all about it.
October 22nd, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^
Nice.
He's putting publicity out there for his next position. In order to do that, people are going to ask about Michigan. At some point, he'll need to answer for why he was fired and what happened at the previous stop.
He didn't speak with ill-will toward Michigan. He didn't speak negatively of Michigan. He explained what he was trying to do, and even explained what he'd change. He spoke well of Harbaugh and he spoke well of his former players and he spoke about what his values are as a coach (caring for players, things of that nature).
In my opinion, he took the correct approach. If he could still be coaching at Michigan, I'm almost certain he would, and he'd talk about how much he loves the school he's trying to sell. But he isn't working at Michigan, things changed (he got fired); by not qualifying his statements with how much he still loves Michigan, doesn't change his values, it only doesn't work to hurt him when he's looking for another job.
Someone claimed he should preface any comment about Michigan with how he loves Michigan, bleeds blue, etc. I disagreed.
October 22nd, 2015 at 1:40 PM ^
He's putting publicity out there for his next position.
Yes - I understand that. I just don't think it justifies it, nor is it a good look.
I don't think he should qualify his statements about Michigan - I think he should shut up about it... just like the guy that got dumped shouldn't pine after his ex or carry on about the unfairness of getting dumped. Get on with your life. ANY comments sound bad.
October 22nd, 2015 at 3:12 PM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
This is true, but declining to comment would be seen as a slight as well. "Oh, sour grapes."
I largely agree. There is no GOOD statment to make, only a "less bad" one. It's an inevitable part of taking the job he took - it's almost impossible to NOT make yourself look bad. See: Millen, Matt.
People think he sucks and will take offense to anything he says -- or doesn't say.
No, he demonstrably and objectively sucks... people don't just think it, it's reality... and just like any relationship, commneting about the ex wull always be taken poorly.
October 22nd, 2015 at 7:07 PM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 9:31 PM ^
It ain't about offending me - it's about making himself look bad.
It's like talking bad about an ex - no matter how bad they were, it only reflects badly on you.
...and I AM suggesting he shouldn't have taken a media job, because it inevitably makes him look bad.
Taking that media job is inevitably good for the pocket, and bad for the self worth. If Hoke thinks the benjamins are worth degrading himself, that is his business.
October 22nd, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
I must have missed that. I do remember him saying it was all because the offensive line was so young, now I find out he didn't recruit enough QBs, so it must be the QB's fault.
Oddly enough if it he has been falling on his sword, the blade seems to be puncturing everyone but him.
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:32 AM ^
By continually making ridiculous comments and blaming his failures on rebuilding, he is proving he just doesn't get it. Rebuilding means showing continual improvement. Not getting worse and making horrible mistakes over and over again. By continuing to come out with these remarks just puts the bullseye back on his failure.
By commenting about the punting, everyone brings up the numerous occasions he couldn't even put an entire punt team on the field. By talking about rebuilding in year 5, they show M00N and an offense that couldn't execute one play well.
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:00 PM ^
Hoke was inept on many levels. He had a poor staff, his special teams were awful and his offense, once Denard left, was lousy. He had highly ranked recruiting classes, but the number of stars doesn't always make for great players. We have shortcomings at many positions and that's all on Hoke.
Even the attitude of his players this year is remarkably different with a coach with the capability of being a serious leader.
October 22nd, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^
He admitted that he should have recruited another QB the year they recruited Morris.
It sounds like he went to the saddest tailgate ever: "We had ham and cheese sandwiches and had a few Labatt's. It was weird." Sad.
October 22nd, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^
The thing I know at the next opportunity, we will recruit quarterbacks. We are going to recruit and evaluate and have more options than we may need so that we can really find a guy who is going to be what you want within your offense. The year we took took Shane (Morris), we probably should have taken another quarterback. Not that we didn't believe in Shane. Just for more numbers, more competition.
Shoot me in the face.
October 22nd, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^
That really stood out to me. It also made me wonder why he didn't say anything about taking a QB the year before.
October 22nd, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^
Hoke on being in the media: "I can tell you I know a lot more about other teams than you would coaching."
Did he know anything about the teams he was playing?
October 22nd, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^
Could be more of a comment on the coaches poll.
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^
You are watching your team and upcoming teams for scouting.
When you're in the media, you're watching a lot of teams, and you often have inside access to them.
So, yes, it makes sense that he'd know a lot more about other teams than he would during coaching.
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:59 AM ^
This is also why the coaches poll is absolutely meaningless.
October 22nd, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^
Well... he didn't exactly differentiatie between "other teams we don't play" and "other teams we play".
He just said he knows more about "other teams" (regardless of opponent) than he did when coaching.
Based on his success, I'll take him at his literal word.
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:42 AM ^
about the team he was coaching? Great recruiter but lousy at developing talent or gameplanning.
October 22nd, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^
We'll always have that 70+ yrd gain on the Gallon wheel route in UTL with 00:20 left. Someone called that. And Hoke was technically the HC. So.....
October 22nd, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 10:39 AM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^
You constantly learn, especially when you have time to look back and reflect. Harbaugh always preaches about everyone getting better every day. Of course Hoke learned from his time at Michigan.
Now he's doing an interview, and people want to talk about his time at Michigan. But all Hoke is really talking about is positioning himself to get another job, just like any other person in his position would do. People want him to go out there and say "I'm an idiot, here's all the money I earned back to the University, I'm sorry, I'll never coach again. Also, I still am a diehard Michigan fan and if I ever did coach again I'd schedule Michigan so I could purposefully lose to them because I love them so much." And then people would still twist it to find something to complain about.
Seriously, people need to get over it. He's not saying things bad about Michigan. He's setting himself up for his next position. He's talking about missing coaching. I thought he was complimentary about Harbaugh and his staff, he didn't say anything negative about Michigan. I don't get why people are trying to make him out to be the devil or something.
This fanbase is really weird about ex-coaches.
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^
So even a new job won't completely take that away. Rich Rod has been pretty candid about his time at Michigan, and that's fine. Again, he's protecting himself and what he's doing. But Michigan questions seem to follow you no matter where you go.
October 22nd, 2015 at 3:56 PM ^
I could be very wrong but I don't remember RRod doing this kind of media circuit after taking a year off to find a new HC gig. I felt like Arizona zeroed in on him and grabbed him when he was down.
Part of me is wondering if he is doing this because he hasn't had any interest from any programs with current openings and is trying to drum up some activity given all the openings that are to come. Not a great sign if you have to do this to get your name out there, imo.
October 22nd, 2015 at 4:16 PM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 4:39 PM ^
I thought his stint with CBS was very short, as in awkwardly interview the guy who took your job and then go home, short? I didn't think he had a weekly show in which he talked about Hoke. I do remember those comments he made regarding the 11-2 record but, again, I don't recall that coming on the heels of a pretty consistent media push. More like they sought him out and asked him instead of him putting himself squarely in the media light and asking for those types of questions to come his way.
As to your last comments, Hoke needs work in all 3 phases. A strong DL is not enough to overcome weakness in all other phases and aspects of the game.
October 22nd, 2015 at 7:03 PM ^
October 22nd, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^
The problem I have with him trying to position himself for another job is that it is too soon, imo. He had MAJOR failures that were obvious to anyone paying attention in almost every aspect of being a head coach. It would serve him well to acknowledge those failures and say he is going to spend some time addressing them before trying to get back into the head coaching game - he's done this a little bit so far.
He seems tone deaf in his responses and is trying to find excuses for some of the issues he had while he was here and there aren't any that I can see readily outside of youth on the team. That issue doesn't mean you have to go 5-7 in your 4th year and field teams that look like they had no idea what the hell they were doing in all phases of the game except for the DL which just happens to be his only proven competency as coach.
He needs to do more learnin' and less talkin' if he wants to get a Power 5 gig. That, or head back to the MAC and work his way back up to the Power 5 after proving himself in the minors again. What he's doing now is not helping him.