Your Morning Happy Hoke-y Bits
Hoke reads the Letterman Top 10 in ’07. HT: James
I need you to bite down here. It wasn’t a dream. Brady Hoke is the head coach of Michigan.
Obviously, there’s been some disappointment around these parts and others, and you know my sentiments. I figured, this being our coach and all, we ought to start the morning with a few positives. First, from Brandon in his address to the players (HT: Raback Omaba):
- He said he interviewed big names from every conference and found that some "big names" clearly have themselves as their first priority, not their players or the program. This made his search a little easier.
…
- Everyone he spoke to referred him to Brady Hoke. Opposing coaches, former players, former coaches all said he should consider Hoke.
- Michigan alumni really supported Hoke (Steve Hutchinson called unsolicited to say that "Brady Hoke was the best coach I ever had")
- Only offered the job to one man -- Brady Hoke. Called Brady yesterday morning and offered, Brady accepted immediately. Didn't even ask about money.
Also in there: DB says he wasn’t on the planes we were tracking – apparently our athletic department has a real, live, functioning telephone.
In other panegyrics, Jason Whitlock, who says that Hoke loves hard:
Hoke is no one’s “compromise” or “second-tier” coaching candidate. Not if you understand football. Not if you comprehend how he got to the point that he’s even a candidate to be Michigan’s next football coach.
Brady Hoke loves hard. He loves his family, his players, his assistant coaches, Ball State football and Michigan football.
Whitlock argues that Hoke’s 12-1 season at Ball State is superior to that of Harbaugh’s at Stanford because Hoke did it despite a band of functional idiots upstairs. It’s also brought up that Hoke comes with S&C coach Aaron Wellman, though the author doesn’t say if Wellman’s got a plan for displacing Barwis.
In other affirmative mentions, Navy says Hoke’s offense was good-good:
"In my time here at the Naval Academy," said coach Ken Niumatalolo, who has worked at Annapolis since 1999, "that's as good of an offense as we've seen."
Which is just bluster about a 555-yard aberrant performance, but also true considering SDSU put up more points (35) in this year’s bowl game than any Midshipman opponent since 2008 (including two ND squads, 2009 Ohio State, and 2009 Missouri). That year, Niumatololo’s cadets sailors jack-tars (thx rlew) gave up 42 to Pitt, 41 to Duke, and 35 in a loss at Ball State which was coached by … oh, Brady Hoke. So score one against the “Brady Hoke makes us ND” meme, because here is a guy who can definitely beat Navy.
Also in that article, a throwaway quote from a happy player:
"Coach Hoke came in and set the standard," Brown said. "You set the bar high and expect nothing less."
Oh good, a bar-setter.*
You might know this already, but Lloyd’s guys seem to like him. Angelique has quotes from a Lloyd guy who wasn’t kind to RR…
"Brady was there with us when we won it," said former Michigan safety Marcus Ray, a member of the 1997 team. "He's a great coach. You knew he cared about players. He would pull you to the side and ask about you even if you weren't one of his position players."
…and a Lloyd guy who wasn’t kind to Harbaugh…
Former Michigan running back Mike Hart, who played for the Wolverines after Hoke, said he has met Hoke several times and thinks he is a strong hire for Michigan.
"He's a great guy," Hart said. "He knows what Michigan is about. He's part of that Michigan family even though he didn't play here. He knows what it is, he knows the pressure, and he knows the type of players he recruits. He knows how to recruit."
Which is fluff, but at least healing old wounds iz gud, yes? One more player whom you might have heard of:
"I'm excited for Brady Hoke and even for Michigan," Green Bay Packers and former Michigan star Charles Woodson wrote in a text message to The Associated Press. "I'm glad this process is over and we can begin to restore the tradition and respect that was once Michigan."
That article starts with a comparison between Hoke and Bo. The official AP article has the new coach positives you would expect, including one from his old boss:
"Brady Hoke is a great choice for Michigan," Carr wrote in a text message.
…but he’s no Mike DeBord. I mean that.
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* Mornhinweg comparison entirely unfair except in a “we didn’t get our guy so let’s get a guy lower down the same tree” kind of way.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:50 AM ^
Is hard love our new hard edge?
January 12th, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^
so I can get some hard love again at home.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:54 AM ^
I am most disappointed with the reaction of the former Michigan players to the last two coaching hires. When Rich Rod was hired, player's weren't coming out of the wood-works like they are now with the support of the Hoke hire. It seems to me that former players are going out of their way to make positive statements regarding the Hoke hire, and that is a little disappointing to me.
Bottom-line, if you are a Michigan fan/player/etc, you should trust and support the University's regardless of the decisions.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:58 AM ^
It is a bit ridiculous. We'll see what happens if the wheels start to come off, which god willing they won't do.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^
Former UM players have played for Hoke! They know him. It makes perfect sense why there would be a bigger reaction to his hiring than Rich Rod's.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^
did you totally forget that RR came in without the remotest of ties to UM. The only thing that RR could even say about UM is that Don Nehlen was an asst at UM. The reason you're seeing so many former player holding hands singing we are the world is because past ties are back in the office. Again, I'm disclaimer that I'm going down with the ship, and I hope and pray all is right with the world, but only time will tell...
January 12th, 2011 at 10:41 AM ^
I can't believe it took all of, what, 3 hours before Lloyd Carr came out in support of Hoke. If he could have just done that with Rich Rod, ever, I think so many things would have been different. The large contingent of people that hated RR from day one should be ashamed of themselves. Particularly those that are now hypocritically expecting everyone to immediately be on board with Hoke's hiring.
I will be on board with Hoke soon, much sooner than the other side was on board with Rich Rod (read: never), but it's going to take a little time to get over what I think was a situation handled extremely poorly.
Go Blue.
January 12th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
While I can understand some of that man-love going on, as posted below this response (that some of these guys played for Hoke)...which part of being a "Michigan Man" means you withold your support, you actively undermine the new guy, tap dance on his grave, and then joyously embrace his less-than-or-equal-to replacement?
January 12th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^
How dare you put that man's face on this blog?
HOW DARE YOU?
January 12th, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^
Or his Cosby sweater.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^
I'm totally not joking about my rage at this by the way. This is like putting a picture of Alan Branch in the Penn State QB meeting room, except the opposite on a scale of awesomeness. Times infinity. That man destroyed the lions in a way nobody has ever been able to destroy a sports franchise. Donald Sterling is jealous. Al Davis is jealous. You can't do a more thorough job than that f*cking pig did. Don't put him on the blog, for god's sake.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:42 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^
It's the same state. Obviously lots of crossover.
January 12th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^
True, but not 100%. I'm a Bears fan, and LOVE Matt Millen. :)
January 12th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^
Also in there: DB says he wasn’t on the planes we were tracking – apparently our athletic department has a real, live, functioning telephone.I want to be rich enough that I have a private jet I loan to the University. Then when everyone is tracking it and convinced it has the AD on it I'm sending it all over the map. Drop by Columbus repeatedly. Swing down to South America while spreading rumors the Escobar Drug Cartel are key boosters and aiding in the coaching search (Go coach at Michigan or Pablo has you whacked). Fun times. This displaces my other goal of becoming the Pope and showing up at Michigan-ND in maize and blue vestments and excommunicating their quarterback during halftime. F that celibacy thing.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:58 AM ^
The only player I want to hear comment is Denard Robinson.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^
Mike Golic to anybody else??
January 12th, 2011 at 10:20 AM ^
I was trying to place it.... So thank you.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
The size and hair a little bit. The faces are totally different though.
Both are also white.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^
There is a long way to go, but it is good to see some positive comments about the guy who very likely will bring us back around.
Now its time to change the banner. Seriously.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:03 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 10:09 AM ^
Do I look like Brian to you?
January 12th, 2011 at 10:30 AM ^
...when you're posting on the main page.
I approve of the new, positive vibe. I'm almost coming around to this being a good hire. I want to think that. I want to feel good about our program. I need that in my life. I need the excitement of the football season. I'm 36 years old and live on a different continent and I need that. Is that sad? Probably. I don't care.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
Okay. Added byline note.
According to my future brother in law, 97.1 thought I was Brian when they referenced something from the last Dear Diary too.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:42 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 10:16 AM ^
I thought Brian would take the lead and turn the air of negativity around. Instead, he's trying to be a bigger downer than them all. Chill, Brian... I think we'll be okay.
I, for one, will support Hoke and the Team 100%. If love for Michigan is what you want, love for Michigan is what we've got with this guy.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^
I don't think Brian's actively campaigning for Hoke's failure or anything. There just isn't a lot you can say logically that supports this. The jury is clearly out. Brian has not to this point fluffed Hoke up in the way a MSM writer might.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
did not write this.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^
I saw... Misopogon did. Tried to correct it but it was too late.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^
with the sight of Millen in a Cosby sweater!!!
January 12th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
Dr. Huxtabel called and wants his sweater back
January 12th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^
I think he'll say that we will beat MSU, we will beat OSU, and we will win the B1G under his tenure. And he will deliver. Go Blue.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^
Had a tour of duty with Sparty - interesting:
http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wellman_aaron00.html
GO BLUE!
January 12th, 2011 at 10:12 AM ^
A divided Michigan is self-defeating - we all need to rally around this new coach for better or worse... He's our coach now, nothing we say/banter will change that - lets be patient and give him time to make it work...
(for the record - i still think we should have coach rod...)
January 12th, 2011 at 10:14 AM ^
Or is he still drinking?
January 12th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^
Naw - Just keeping the content fresh.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^
I vote Misopogon for new blog leader!
January 12th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^
....
Really?
January 12th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
I'm flattered, but you're seriously misjudging the amount of work Brian puts in to make this site run. This is his life -- he built it on his ability and connections and years of hard work, whereas I copyedit some things at night, post a weekly article, and check in at lunch. There's about four other guys, posting on the site and behind the scenes, who put substantial time and effort into the blog.
January 12th, 2011 at 11:05 AM ^
I know.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^
Does this title imply we'll get Afternoon Depressing Hoke-y Bits? Because I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:22 AM ^
I know that Eastern Michigan had a horrible record...but why haven't I heard anything about Ron English even being mentioned. It seems to me if they hired him in the first place ahead of RR we'd be just fine today.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^
Are you serious?
Is this guy serious?
January 12th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^
I know, right? Just look at the juggernaut he's building in Ypsi
January 12th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^
the most likely scenario would have been thousands of MGoBlog readers dead in basements, rivers, oceans, and lakes across various parts of the country.
Hoke may not have demonstrated significant success yet, but English hasn't even shown that he can turn around a weak program in a weak conference. There are few candidates with weaker resumes than English.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^
Who interviews and hires people with million dollar salaries without a face to face?
Did they hookup on LinkedIn?
Brady Hoke has indicated you are Looking for a Head Football Coach for B1G School:
I use LinkedIn to keep track of my professional network, and would like to add you.
- Brady Hoke
|
View invitation from Brady Hoke |
DID YOU KNOW LinkedIn can help you find the right service providers using recommendations from your trusted network?
Using LinkedIn Services, you can take the risky guesswork out of selecting service providers by reading the recommendations of credible, trustworthy members of your network.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
If Hoke was really the only man considered, and Patterson, Pelini and others of that ilk weren't contacted, I think that's far more damning on Brandon than if he was turned down. He apparently buys this ridiculous misinterpretation of the MIchigan Man meme which isn't a good sign, even if the hire works out.
And with that, I am done bitching forever... or at least until he coaches one game. I am all in for our new Hoke.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
DB said he contacted many coaches, but most put themselves over the team and the university. He spoke with LM and JH extensively and decided that BH was the best option and offered him the job first.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
is a many dreaded thing.
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