OK, we have Hoke. So now what about recruiting?
Now that we know our coach, it's time to start looking at the impact he will have on recruits conscidering Michigan, recruits committed to Michigan, recruits that HAD conscidered Michigan, and who even some recruits from SDSU (maybe).
What do some of the major guys like Zettel, or Frost think of the new hire?
Any insite would be appreciated as signing days looms nearby.
Here's some links to some things relevant to the recruiting class and expected hit on recruiting that I found real fast.
SDSU recruiting class. It does include the #10 overall pro-style QB so who knows:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/sandiegostate/football/recruiting/commitments/2011/sandiegostate-93
DET News article on recruiting:
WARNING: next one is a FREEP
....thoughts?
January 12th, 2011 at 6:57 AM ^
If Hoke made some good contacts in California that can be put to good use, that's a silver lining right there. I still want the Pahokee pipeline though.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:09 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 7:58 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 8:45 AM ^
It is possible, but I doubt it. With Bradley not going to Pitt, Zettel will likely stay. Not any real information but that's my thought.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:00 AM ^
Well, if that's true he can learn first hand about Taylor Lewan's personal hatred for donkeys....
This
Not That
January 12th, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^
I think he picked Penn st because they put a lot of D-line guys in the NFL. With Hoke being a D-line coach he could see that as beneficial and stay close to home.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:49 AM ^
We're in a recruiting dead period right now which is both a bad thing (can't get to work) and good thing (gives him a second to catch his breath and get a staff).
Lets get real. Zettel is gone and Frost is gone if Auburn has a spot for him, At this point our hope should be he locks down guys like Crawford, Goudis, Fisher and Kellen Jones who are looking around, perhaps gets a QB for depth now that Tate has flunked out and especially if Denard leaves and possibly snag some guys who were considering us but were still undecided like Lucien, Bryant and maybe that Rawls kid if he's qualified.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:00 AM ^
If Hoke can make contact with these players and convince them that this is still Michigan and he can use their talents just like Rodriguez would have (hopefully better regarding the defense).
January 12th, 2011 at 9:35 AM ^
But we're not sure that Hoke has any snake oil on him... Maybe RR left some in the office he could use.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:01 AM ^
Zettel has said that he's fully committed to Penn State.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:03 AM ^
I was just reading your write-up on Hoke on Touch the Banner and how you're not a fan and thought hoke was probably at best our 3rd choice behind Harbaugh and Miles. Here's me question: Do you believe the theory that Brandon never actually offered Miles the job due to the Carr faction/ the way MIles left things the last be time he coached at Michigan? Just curious to your thoughts about this. I for one trust Brandon and dont believe he would be that dumb.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:36 AM ^
Not to dodge the question, but I really don't believe in the "Carr faction." I have seen no evidence of it beyond fan speculation. I believe David Brandon that he never offered the job to Harbaugh or Miles because, as far as I know, he has not proven to be a shady character or a liar. And it's completely feasible that they said up front "I'm not interested, because I want to go to the NFL/stay at LSU."
I don't think Miles' past (at Michigan) should have precluded him from being Michigan's coach. However, I can see where his clock management issues, personality, and shady dealings at LSU might have prevented him from being offered the job. So while I think Miles is a more proven coach and would have won at Michigan, I don't necessarily think it's a travesty if he wasn't offered the job.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:34 AM ^
Miles and Harbaugh not being offered the job probably went something like this:
DB: What are your thoughts on Michigan? Would you be interested in being the next head coach?
LM/JH: I want to see them do great things. I love Michigan, but do not want to be the next head coach.
DB: OK, who do you think would be a great candidate?
Dave Brandon didn't have to offer them anything, they probably said up front that they didn't want the job. DB probably spoke with both of them about who would be the best candidate or something like that.
A job offer isn't given up front, so DB was able to feel out what, if anything, it would take to get each candidate accept the job.
Obviously this is speculation, but with DB coming out and saying that Hoke was Plan A, he's either lying through his teeth or getting off on a technicality. I can't imagine that Hoke was the candidate over Harbaugh...
January 12th, 2011 at 7:06 AM ^
I think it might be important to get assistant and position coaches first. Without them we still can't recruit at full potential.
Hopefully they can sway Frost, but it might be a hard pull. It seems like he was pretty affected by the CC.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:27 AM ^
...is that kicker. Incoming freshmen won't be critical at any other position (at least, in 2011)...but we can't have another placekicking year like this past one.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:39 AM ^
For better or worse, it is probably safe to assume the days of recruiting 8 million tiny slot ninjas has likley come to an end.
Maybe more importantly how does he feel about dreads?
January 12th, 2011 at 7:40 AM ^
Any chance we can snake oil Deanthony Arnett? If I remember right he was a huge Michigan fan growing up but didn't commit here because of the offense we ran
January 12th, 2011 at 7:49 AM ^
No, and I don't want him, anyway.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:26 AM ^
He mentioned this on his blog...he's full of himself
January 12th, 2011 at 8:38 AM ^
How did he do at the Army game. I don't remember him or Countess on any plays.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:48 AM ^
I don't think Arnett had a catch.
Countess wasn't thrown at except once, I think, but nobody caught a pass against him. He didn't have any tackles, either.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:53 AM ^
Thanks. Magnus. So, I take it that if Arnett would like to commit to us instead of Tenn, you wouldn't take him. I am not sure I would after saying DickRod.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:02 AM ^
No, I wouldn't take him. If I were Hoke, I would go hard after Devin Lucien (whom Hoke recruited at SDSU) and Hakeem Flowers.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:32 AM ^
He's a prima donna in the making.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:47 AM ^
That is the last thing a new coach needs.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:45 AM ^
that kid out of FL named Denard Robinson. something tells me he could be good one day.
Seriously, though, its gonna be an uphill battle with so little time left. Hoke is known as a pretty good recruiter, so that status willl be put to the test immediately. If he can keep this class in the top 35 nationally, I would consider that a big first victory for UM.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:53 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
Do you think it's possible Denard is looking past the next two years?
January 12th, 2011 at 7:48 AM ^
...is Denard Robinson. Hoke and Borges need to assure Denard that he is their starting QB and that he will be given an opportunity to play well.
And now, the kids who say they "chose the school, not the coach" will have an opportunity to prove they meant it. Hoke has a reputation as a hard worker; right now is the time to start showing it.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:03 AM ^
Assure him that he can compete for the starting QB spot just like any other QB on the roster. Isn't that one thing RichRod taught us?
January 12th, 2011 at 8:05 AM ^
Hasn't Denard always been all-in for Michigan -- not just all-in for Rich Rod? And Denard has always talked about being committed to the team and his fellow players. Given this, I would be shocked if Denard left after he was assured of his continued role as starting QB and of creative ways to use his skills. From everything we've seen, Denard is no Ryan Mallett, which is one of the reasons we love him.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:55 AM ^
...needs to remember that Michigan affords him a high profile platform from which to perform as well as provide him with a respected, quality education.
Notwithstanding the fact that this is a team sport, transferring out would dilute his brand.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:28 AM ^
"dilute his brand." In the mind's of Michigan fans? Only if he went out Boren style, which is doubtful. Kids transfer all the time when staffs change. In many cases, it's understandable. Mallett leaving, for example, made sense for him.
People will love Denard wherever he goes because of his who he is off the field as much as on. He's just flat out authentically likeable. That quality will follow him anywhere.
That said, we'd all obviously like to see him stick around in a winged helmet.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:59 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 8:00 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 8:02 AM ^
He's almost certainly staying on the west coast.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:29 AM ^
He's from San Diego and committed to them on a whim during his junior year. After that, he took in all the facts and decided Cal was better for him. That's where he's committed right now.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:53 AM ^
nothing but 9 - 3 stars, 7 - 2 stars, and 5 - no stars. There was talk of a four star visting, but he hadn't committed.
Kellen Jones is now looking around per Rivals. This is a kid who's family broke into a chorus of The Victors when he committed.
Darian Cooper no longer interested in M at all. Link: http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/blog?name=kurelic_bill&id=6010901&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncf%2fblog%3fname%3dkurelic_bill%26id%3d6010901
January 12th, 2011 at 7:59 AM ^
And most if not all will be 3-star recruits. In a couple of years we'll see how big this hole will be. We'll be discussing bare cupboards again.
Hoke will have his work cut out to win more than 8 games in any of his first three seasons.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:10 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 8:21 AM ^
TomVH tweeted that the Arnette tweet was "just a hoke... I mean joke."
January 12th, 2011 at 8:29 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 8:30 AM ^
Sam Webb talked to his brother too, it was a lie
January 12th, 2011 at 8:30 AM ^
Arnett was just joking (like always). He hasn't talked with Hoke.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:26 AM ^
The guy I want the most at this point is Raymon Taylor. The guy is an old school Michigan cornerback. Tough, hard nosed guy that has some potential and would fit the new smash mouth defensive style that Hoke is bringing back.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^
I, as well, am a fan
January 12th, 2011 at 9:24 AM ^
and Hoke is said to be a fan of it. Are you sure about his smashmouth defensive style?
January 12th, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^
Has some uncommited guys out there. Cardale Jones, Andre Sturdivant, and Frank Clark would be good additions at positions of need and as Hoke is from Ohio he may have some pull with them.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:26 AM ^
Ted Ginn Sr. hates LC. Forget about Glenville.