Monday Presser Transcript 11-11-13: Brady Hoke Comment Count

Heiko

Bullets:

  • pew pew.

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"Peace for our time."

Opening remarks:

“Obviously very disappointed. We all are. After the outcome of Saturday’s game, we need to make sure we’re finishing and doing all the things we need to do. As a coaching staff, that’s always where it starts. It starts with me. We have to do a great job of repping the things we’re going to see, which we have been. We do a great job of the details, the fine things you want to makes ure you go over. And as a team, we have to make sure we understand each and every plan. We started this thing in January with this football team. In June we inhereited the freshmen guys. Their work ethic has been exceptional. We have to translate that we do well in practice on the field, and we will do that.”

How difficult is it to plan for and execute an offense when the offensive line is struggling?

“Everyone’s going to point to the offensive line, but really it’s all of us. It’s not just them. It’s not fair. It’s never one guy, one thing, in anything in life, unless you’re golfing. I guess that would be you. In a team sport, it’s not that way. All 11 parts have to be working in the same direction. Offensively, defensively, and then you could say all 115 parts that are on this football team … it’s all of us. This has always been a ‘we,’ ‘us,’ and ‘ours’ football program.”

Can you talk about these next three games are a test of this team’s pride and passion?

“Well, there’s no doubt that there’s some adversity. We had some a week ago, and I like how our team responded. I like how those guys got after it. We had a very good week of preparation, week of practice. Again, that adversity has hit us. We will grind and we will work. There’s no solutions that won’t take hard work. Part of that is every day what we do in preparing.”

You mentioned after the game that you need to coach better. What will you do differently?

“I don’t know how many specific different things. I am pretty involved in a lot of things, from special teams to Al and I meet twice a week, talk about the plan. Maybe I didn’t handle Tuesday’s meeting as well as I could with the kids. Maybe I didn’t give them enough information. Maybe there was not enough motivation. Whatever it might be. That’s not a great answer, but it’s what it is.”

Speaking of the motivation, do you think you have a confidence crisis offensively? How do you get it back?

“I think you do a couple things. Number one: you have to take the things that you haven’t done very well, whatever it might be. Any position. It could be anywhere. We’ve got to constructively teach and use those teaching moments. You also have to show them the things they’ve done well. It’s usually similar in both cases. It may be oversetting, it may be my visual key, my eyes not being where they need to be. You’ve got to look at the negatives, and you’ve got to finish with the positives, because they know they can do it.”

Do you have to look at short term changes and adjustments that aren’t necessarily part of the long term plan?

“I think you always look at things that way as you study an opponent, as you formulate game plans. I think that’s part of it. Always will. The other day we went from spread to jet read to two backs in the backfield, two tight ends and a fullback. We hit all the buttons. When you have negative plays, though, your rhythm and everything that you want to do offensively … Coming out of halftime, we moved down the field and score a touchdown. Well, you had a rhythm. The negative plays weren’t there. We get a first down in a critical part of the game, and we miss a snap. Those things happen. Then you’re working in negatives. I think we were three of 13 on third down. They were six of 16. Negative plays on third down start on first and second down. Do you look at everythign? Yeah. You always look at personnel. You always go back to evaluate. You always look at did I work well enough on this scheme? I’ll take it individually because I’m a defensive line coach. Power scoops. Did I work enough on power scoops where Willie Henry and Ryan Glasgow can play the way they’re capable of playing?”

You talked about third downs being tied to what you do on first and second down. In hindsight, it seemed like you ran a lot of off tackle plays that didn’t work.

“I can’t tell you how many first downs we ran or not. I think sometimes we assume that. I can’t tell you that. Obviously we felt we could run the ball or we wouldn’t have called the play. I mean, I think that’s where it starts. Some of those plays are check plays depending on what you get defensively, what looks.”

MGoQuestion: You mentioned you threw out a lot of formations and hit all the buttons on offense. One of Nebraska’s players said they knew what you were going to do. Why do you think that is?

“Yeah. I don’t know if that was exactly the quote, but we know what other guys are doing, too. We knew when they were in pistol with two tight ends, and we got negative plays. Everybody has that. Everyone has -- there’s certain things people are going to do certain ways. Now, when you win a football game I think sometimes it’s easy to say that.”

MGoFollowup: Have you noticed that increase the last couple of games?

“No. Not at all. We change formations and we change personnel on the same play every week.”

With the Big Ten title always being such a deal, what do you play for with these guys?

“Well number one you’re a competitor. You want to go out and fight. We always play for our seniors and we’re always going to work hard for those guys. This group is a group that’s been through some struggles and they’re very important to all of us. The other thing is you have a chance to win 10 football games. That opportunity is always out there. That’s always been a benchmark.”

Did Blake Countess get hurt?

“Early. He was out some time after the first quarter. He should be [okay].”

On their 4th and 2, were your corners supposed to be so far off the line of scrimmage? Was it a lack of confidence they were giving the receivers so much of a cushion?

“I don’t know if it’s confidence. How about experience? I think that’s something throughout our team guys are learning for the first time.”

Did a safety need to tell them to move up?

“They could. They could. I think that’s tough. In hindsight, I should have called time out.”

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Roundtable

"In war we're tough and able / quite indefatigable."

What can you do to help Fitz out in pass protection? Do you take him out of the game?

“Yeah, it’s not lack of effort, it’s not lack of toughness with Fitz. You all know that from what he came back from. Again, it’s something we need to do a better job with. We have to coach it. There may be points we may not be doing a good job with. Your base, your knee bend, eyes on, hand inside, all those things. He’s a good screen runner. He does a good job. Do you want to take him out because of all the other good things he does? No, not really.”

Can you look ahead to Northwestern? What jumps out?

“Well, you look at how they’ve played this year, and the games they lost, they’ve lost some heartbreakers. I think from their defense, they’re opportunistic. Tyler Scott is one of the better down guys in this league. From an offensive perspective, you have to be ready to play two quarterbacks. Some of that, the offensive scheme itself is pretty the same, but they both have different gifts in what they can do.”

The suggestion from the Nebraks player’s quote is that the offense is predictable.

“Yeah.”

What’s your response?

“He’s wrong. I mean, you could say that about a lot of teams. So.”

Do you still like the play calling after you looked at the film?

“Yeah. There’s not even a question about it.”

So is it the offense not executing? Is it what the defense is doing to you?

“I think it’s both a little bit. You have to give them credit. They’re a good football team. We have to do a good job, too.”

You said it’s not all on the offensive line. A lot of it looks like it is.

“You can pick and choose. It’s everybody who’s involved.”

Devin doesn’t look like he’s moving as quickly as he was at the beginning of the season.

“He’s healthy.”

Why do you think he’s holding onto the ball for so long?

“Uh, I think sometimes when things go a little chaotic and [he’s] trying to make too many big plays.”

What do you like about the rotation you have at WILL and MIKE?

“I think it’s worked out pretty well. I think it’s kept them fresh, it’s kept them healthy. I think all of them have earned that right to play. So I think with three of those guys … I think Ben Gedeon is another guy that gets better daily. You like some of the things he does.”

What do you like about Desmond Morgan that allows you to play him at both?

“He’s a smart football player with I don’t know how many games of experience. He’s one of those guys that can fit both. He runs well enough to be the covered up guy at WILL and stout enough and strong enough and tough enough to play MIKE.”

MGoQuestion: Coach Borges says he uses the bye week to do a lot of self-scouting. Is that possible to do without a bye week?

“Oh yeah. They do that really every week. They’re going to look -- we’re going to look defensively, they’re going to look offensively and see maybe what things that may be tendencies or trends formationally.”

MGoFollowup: Have you been able to identify anything fundamentally about this offense that’s an issue?

“No. No. I don’t think so. Fundamentals, yes. That’s what I thought you were talking about. Techniques and fundamentals, yeah.”

MGo: I meant --

“No, I got ya.”

MGo: So no issues.

“No.”

Are you disappointed in the young players and the offensive line in not being able to progress?

“I think any freshman, number one, they’ve -- it’s a grind. They’ve been here since June. It’s a grind. They haven’t been home. It’s a grind. For the guys that have been there that have redshirted, they understand a little bit, but it’s a different thing redshirting and looking on cards and all of a sudden, man you’re out there. From that standpoint, are you disappointed? I think you’d be lying if you said you’re not because of what you see they can do. And when they do it right, it speaks so right to them being able to do it right.”

Are you disappointed in the fans that booed?

“Yeah. If they’re booing the kids, then yeah. They can boo us coaches all they want. Look, I’ve got a harder time at home than I do there. Believe me. I mean, my daughter and wife, man. You guys are easy compared to them.”

Does it get to a point where you can’t or shouldn’t run play action from certain sets?

“Certain sets, maybe. I think you’re right.”

Do defenses copy what other defenses do against you?

“Yeah. A bunch. I mean, that happens. I think you all look at -- and I shouldn’t speak for every other coach in America -- we all look at who defended somebody well or offensively what gave this defense problems. You’ll get some copy cat looks.”

Do you think that’s why they blitzed more?

“It could have, but they’re the same blitzes that they had done before and we had repped and repped and repped.”

The rest of the roundtable segment harped one the same stuff over and over again, so I’m not going to transcribe it (sorry other writers who need the quotes). I bet most of you stopped reading by now anyway.

Comments

jackw8542

November 11th, 2013 at 4:20 PM ^

Why did no one ask "Why, after the two screens you ran worked tremendously, did you not try another screen pass?"  Why did no one ask why after the opening drive of the second half went so well the offense totally abandoned what had worked in that drive?  If you want to make him answer, those are the kind of questions that need to be asked.  Also, why, after runs into the line had not worked all day, were those the first two calls following the muffed punt?

Go Blue Beat T…

November 11th, 2013 at 4:20 PM ^

  • In the past two weeks, Michigan lost a combined 49.2 expected points on rushing plays. Expected points added is a metric that measures the contributions of each unit to its team’s net scoring margin. Therefore, Michigan lost almost 50 net points as a results of its rushes and sacks. An average EPA is 0, so if Michigan had had an average rush offense, and all else remained equal, the Wolverines would have been about even with Michigan State and would have beaten Nebraska by about 22 points.

Greg McMurtry

November 11th, 2013 at 5:12 PM ^

on 3rd down, the RG doubled the center's man, when he didn't need to. Schofield (a senior) looked to the left for a man to block where there was none. The right DE (or OLB or whichever, going from memory) ran right past both of them and Fitz tried to block him...failed. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like the whole line was on a shift left, in order to block no one. Can't wait for the UFR on this play.

Princetonwolverine

November 11th, 2013 at 5:37 PM ^

I would like a follow up to his comments that his wife and daughter were complaining about the game. What were they telling him and did he tell them that everything was fine except execution?

erald01

November 11th, 2013 at 5:49 PM ^

Sorry but these pressers are becoming more and more worthless, it used to be fun reading them when Hoke actually had "answers".. Now its the same shit different week..poor execution blah blah..need to coach better blah blah.. Guys are working hard blah blah.....

Where is the outcome then?? Nowhere..we have a Charlie Weis as a HC, all talk but no walk

DelhiGoBlue

November 11th, 2013 at 5:51 PM ^

but it could have been asked, and would have been by me.  Last week it appeared Gardner called for a slide right blocking scheme and Calhoun came free off the left end.  Saturday, apparently Gardner called a slide left and the DE came by Schofield untouched.  Is this a problem with the QB not reading the D correctly or is this a problem with the blocking schemes and line recognition of what is across from them?

antonio_sass

November 11th, 2013 at 7:11 PM ^

Good question. 

I noticed during the Nebraska game that happened because the safety came down on the left side, showing blitz. As DG was shifting the line to account for him, the safety backs off. At the snap, the safety does not blitz but the OLB (I believe) on the other side does, totally counteracting the shift. 

I'm not sure how one fixes this... 

TylerSinq

November 11th, 2013 at 6:15 PM ^

I am being completely serious- I can't wait to see if coastal blue and Space Coyote continue THEIR debate after the Borges presser tomorrow-, "he cackles with hopeful glee"

Bando Calrissian

November 11th, 2013 at 6:38 PM ^

If I were in this presser, I'd leave the room by walking up to the podium, golf clapping a little bit, then waving the other folks past me out of the room. No headset, just cheer leading the fail.

Sten Carlson

November 11th, 2013 at 6:45 PM ^

Good lord there are an unbelievable number of gutless, poorly informed, short sighted, blowhard reactionaries on this site.

Am I pleased? Heck no! Is it pretty obvious what the problems are? Absolutely! Will the problems be solved? No doubt about it!

You guys that have "given up" on this team and this coaching staff should be ashamed of yourselves. You're guilty of over inflating your expectations of a team when the data concerning its roster liabilities and deficiencies is not only as simple as an internet search, but has been discussed ad nauseum. Michigan is suffering through the crops that RR sowed (or didn't sow in actuality) -- nothing more.

I've said it over and over, Hoke is going to force these young OLinemen to learn the only way they will learn, by doing, failing, and doing again and again and again. If we don't do it now, when will these youn OLinemen learn how to do it right? You guys whine and point as all the other programs that do ok with youn OLinemen, but you're forgetting a very important point. Michigan is JUST NOW installing its offense because of Denard. So if it looks like their regressing it's because the ones that were on the team last year were learning a DIFFERENT hybrid scheme, not the one they're using today. Even Lewan and Schofield have had to learn a new scheme.

Quit whining, it's unbecoming of Michigan Men. Understand that what these young kids have gone through is going to make them better, no doubt about it. Add to that the continuity of being in the same scheme for a year, and starting 2014 in the SAME scheme, and you'll see a much better team going forward. Coaches, unlike fans, have to make unpopular decisions -- like installing a scheme and basically knowing it's not going to be pretty -- because it's the right thing to do for the long term success of the program. Fans are obsessed with short term success, but a coach MUST be obsessed with the long term trajectory of the program.

I am not saying I loved the play calling Saturday. I thought the series after the muffed punt was asinine. However, if they had been able to pound the ball for a first down, and then another, then score a TD or even a FG, Nebraska would have had less time. Great idea for a good running team, not so much for the worst running team in recent memory. Again, I don't agree with the calls, but I understand the method behind the madness of installing the scheme come hell or high water. Others might not agree with that approach, and they're allowed to disagree. But, as we said with RR, it seems like no matter the scheme the team would struggle, and it's one more season until the scheme is installed.

Buck up boys, we'll get through it and be better for it.

DelhiGoBlue

November 11th, 2013 at 6:54 PM ^

the fans should be ashamed of themselves for having given up?  They aren't the ones being paid millions of $$$ to present the crap we've seen this season.  Can you point to just one aspect of the game that has improved from last year?  Neither can anybody else.  If for no other reason that alone is enough to have no confidence and even less faith that this coaching staff can turn things around. 

I think it quite obvious, and I'm very willing to be proven wrong, that this staff enjoyed the success they did in 2011 because they were different and new and made promises of glory.  They were, to their credit, able to perform a one season change...to their discredit, they haven't been able to sustain it.

Sten Carlson

November 11th, 2013 at 7:07 PM ^

Your argument about Hoke & Co.'s salaries is ridiculous. Yes what they're putting out isn't good now, but they're also responsible for the long term future of the program. Sometimes in sports, life, and business, a leader has to make a decision that allows for short term failure to aim for long term success. It cannot always be right now. I think this is one of those times.

Improvement? Chesson, Funchess, Taco, Wormly, Bolden, Ross, Stribling. What you have to understand is that improvement isn't something that the fans can necessarily see -- espeically in young guys. It's subtle, and very technical in many instances.

Bottom line, everyone knows when a team is young it's not good, but they won't be young forever. These kids are getting a baptism by fire, and fire forges steel. Be patient, it'll pay off. B

Sten Carlson

November 11th, 2013 at 8:17 PM ^

What excuse?
You obviously don't understand causation. Say a 9 month old cant walk yet because he's too young, despite crawling like a madman and all the coaxing from his parents isn't an excuse -- it the REASON.

Excuses are generally irrational, and have little to do with the actual cause. Like, you got cut from the team because the coach didn't like you. Most likely you weren't good enough to make the team. Or, your wife/GF dumped you because she needed "time to be alone." That just an excuse to try to make you feel better, when everyone knows she thinks she can do better than you. Saying the OL is young, inexperienced, potentially not all that talented, and learning a new scheme, is NOT an excuse, it's a reason.

As I said, if Hoke doesn't let the kids fail, they'll never learn. Unfortunately we don't have the depth to let them fail in practice where only the team sees it. They have to fail in public, and suffer through the humiliation and criticism of fans and the media. The good new is, however, that trial by fire has a much bigger impact than learning in practice only.

Amutnal

November 11th, 2013 at 8:59 PM ^

Why is it we are the only major power team in recent memory whose rebuilding princess involves stooping to Akron (1 win in 27 games) and UConn 0-8 and losing to PSU and rushing for 200 yards less than what Nebraska had allowed on average the entire season. It. Shouldn't. Be. This. Bad. No. Matter. What. You are a fucking moron.

blusage

November 11th, 2013 at 9:12 PM ^

Change is often good. It can revitalize a program, even if done in the middle of the season -- someone pointed to Texas and the hiring of GERG as a good example.

I want WHOLESALE change. Hoke had is chance. Let's end Brandon's "Make-a-wish" experiment and let Hoke crawl back to where ever he crawled here from. He is not a top level coach. He had is chance to prove otherwise and failed.

Read some of the things Meyer says in his press conferences and compare them to Hoke's comments: just from reading the comments you can tell the Meyer is in a whole other league than where Hoke is. All the top coaches are. They all are specific with their goals, with their demands of excellence, and with their confidence. None of Hoke's, "Gee, gosh darn, I liked the play calling, we just didn't execute. Sheesh, we just gotta coach better." Maybe it's some diabolical PR strategy he's employing, or maybe -- a simpler explanation -- he's that clueless.

It's obvious that they have to coach better. It's also obvious that they don't really know how. If the team isn't making progress it's falling behind, because other programs are making progress. I don't think giving Hoke another year makes up the distance.

What are the excuses going to be next year?

We need a new, proven, coach who will light a fire in the program. Someone in charge who will instantly make us at least Big Ten title contenders -- or at least offer us the hope of such. Hoke doesn't. If next year we play MSU and Nebraska and have +1 yards rushing in each, that would count as improvement. Is that really good enough?

Let's get real here. Top programs don't give coaches with no proven track record of winning 5 years. Good coaches don't need 5 years to prove their worth. Saban, Miles, Carroll, et all won NCs in their third years. In Hoke's third year, we're hoping to beat Northwestern next game.

Three and done, Brandon. Try harder, Pizza Man! Deliver us something more than The Noid.

PrincetonBlue

November 11th, 2013 at 7:08 PM ^

I think you are overestimating the value of fans.  You have also watched college football so long that it looks like you are confusing the ends with the means.  The end is to have fun watching these games, and the means is to see positive results.  The end is not positive results with the means being years of suffering.  Bandwagon fans are often jeered at but honestly I think they are more prudent than us dedicated fans.  I have attached myself to this program too long to be able to just root for the next cool team.

We have no influence in what happens, so we should not invest ourselves so much in these games.  Do not be mad that others are abandoning ship; they just understand that sports is not really everything.  After the lucky as hell Sugar Bowl season, I told myself that I would ride this wave of endorphins forever and not let my Saturdays be ruined by any possible failures of the team.  I have saved myself years on this planet by not screaming at the TV or slouching in my seat at the Big House because of awful play.  By detaching myself, my life has become better.

Secondly, please do not say "Michigan man" or anything of that like anymore.  Right now it is just another marketing ploy by UM to build brand loyalty.  We as fans should not shoulder the burden as the team underperforms week in and week out while the administrators roll in cash.  It is far better to abandon ship than continue on blindly.  There is no reason to nurse this undying loyalty and blind support.

Sten Carlson

November 11th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^

I'll say whatever I choose about being a Michigan Man, because I am one, as was my father before me. If you choose to say you're not, so be it. But don't try to make me give up something that I feel is a source of pride, and don't call it a marketing ploy. Being a Michigan Man was a source of pride in people before you or I and it will undoubtedly outlast us all.

Fans shoulder the burden because they're uninformed as to the reality of the circumstances of the program, past and present. There is no burden with me, only excitement for a future I feel is bright. If you don't, fine. But giving up is pathetic and all too endemic in our society today. Oh well, it's not good now so fire somebody and cash out. If that's your thing, have at it.

PrincetonBlue

November 11th, 2013 at 7:39 PM ^

But what is the point?  I think just in general people take sports too seriously.  That's my point.  You took it too seriously in telling us to buck up, and the people that let their emotions be hurt (don't tell me that you've never felt crushing disappointment) also take it too seriously.  It is supposed to be fun.  And if guys want to jump off the wagon, they are not any worse of people for it.  Wanting a change to better their states of mind does not make them worse people either.

What has sports fanaticism brought us?  Idiot fans in Columbus that apparently will attack those who wear Michigan gear or puncture the tires of cars with Michigan plates on them, a poisoned tree from the Auburn-Alabama rivalry, and a riot in Vancouver.  Do not take it so seriously, because it just is not worth it.  Us fans are not a part of the team, will not affect it, and its success will not affect us. There is no reason to get so caught up in all of this.

And everything has basically become marketing ploy.  The hire of Dave Brandon and Brandon's policies such as the general admission confirm this.  Those in power no longer really care for the results anymore and are just milking college football until it dries up.  All that's left here are the fans who continue to pay top dollar to their programs and the student athletes that must sacrifice to the fat cats.

When you call the team the source of your pride, it's going too far.  Interest in this team should stay your interest.  What should be the source of your pride is the degree you got from this elite academic institution and the accomplishments you've made in your life.  Not the accomplishments of basically a reality TV show.  

Sports is a hobby guys.  Lighten up.

Sten Carlson

November 11th, 2013 at 8:02 PM ^

Where did I say only the football team is a source if pride? Being a Michigan Man is far more than the football team. Please don't put words in my mouth. I take great pride in my Michigan degree and the reputation it carries.

I actually agree with you about things going too far in terms of sports. But look where you are. With all do respect, coming here and playing the "sports is entertainment" card is a bit disingenuous, no? This forum is specifically set up for fans to talk about their team(s). Maybe find a sociological forum in which people discuss the social morays of sports fandome.

I agree jumping off the bandwagon is their choice. But I think it's lame that people only want to be fans when things are up to their uninformed and irrational expectations. As I said, we're in basic agreement.

Sten Carlson

November 11th, 2013 at 8:39 PM ^

I realize but if isn't valid. I was just saying if we were a great rushing team year I could see the logic in calling those rushing plays after the muffed punt. We are not, therefore I see no logic in it. Although, I see the method the coaches are trying to employ -- it what I called "dogmatic determination."

I'm actually off the sauce for a while. Trying to get back down to my fighting weight. So I just grin and bear them. Thanks for your concern though.

dfn1970

November 11th, 2013 at 7:35 PM ^

How about a coach that looks the reporters in the eyes and says " We did not play MICHIGAN football....but I can assure that WE WILL PLAY MICHIGAN FOOTBALL this Saturday! Everybody in that room knew who he was talking about. The assistant coaches all knew who screwed up and everyone in the film room kept their head down so they didnt get hit by the  flying game film reel. Can you imagine Bo saying that he "liked" the play calling when we were in negative yardage? He would say "I am too goddamed embarassed to send this f' ing film to whoever the next weeks opponent was.  Brady needs to act like an HC and quit covering for Borges, Funk and Jackson.

Sten Carlson

November 11th, 2013 at 9:09 PM ^

Problem is this isn't a true "year 3" in terms of scheme. Remember a guy named Denard Robinson? Well his presence demanded a unique scheme, one that is a far cry from what Hoke wants to run going forward. So, for all intents and purposes, forget '11 and '12. Again, install it all now, play the young guys because you must, accept the pain now for the pleasure later.

Cranky Dave

November 11th, 2013 at 8:43 PM ^

Concerning things for me was this

“Yeah, it’s not lack of effort, it’s not lack of toughness with Fitz. You all know that from what he came back from. Again, it’s something we need to do a better job with. We have to coach it. There may be points we may not be doing a good job with. Your base, your knee bend, eyes on, hand inside, all those things. He’s a good screen runner. He does a good job. Do you want to take him out because of all the other good things he does? No, not really.”

If a senior RB still doesnt know the basic fundamentals of pass blocking how will the younger guys learn?

Space Coyote

November 11th, 2013 at 8:52 PM ^

I do tend to agree, at least to a degree. I do admit that he is being put in bad positions because of some of the OL issues, but you saw the change from MSU week to Nebraska week, and it's like they are trying to teach one thing at a time, which isn't getting it done.

Against MSU you saw him catching the guy in the backfield, often too high and without good pop. Against Nebraska you saw him try to get low, but then reach and extent to the pass rusher, rather than using his feet to get in front and popping him with his eyes up. Obviously during the week they were trying to get him to have better leverage and pop in his blocks, but then another flaw came about. That shouldn't be the case with a Senior RB.

FWIW, my guess for what they've worked on for the most part this year as far as pass pro is the actual assignment. Where to take your eyes to look for who to pick up. How to get to that spot, those types of things, rather than a bunch on the actual blocking side of things. They likely did this to try to get some of the young guys along as they thought Fitz was probably further along. That proved not to be the case and they clearly went back to the drawing board.

G0BLUE

November 11th, 2013 at 9:08 PM ^

As the head coach he needs to make some changes. The following need to be replaced immediately:



Borges

Jackson (his old ass awhile ago. Why not hire mike hart from eastern?)

Funk

Strength and conditioning coaches (we're SOFT)



It kills me that Hoke stated during the presser that Nebraska was a, "good team."

BUUUUUUULL shit. We are just terrible offense wise. Tired of the excuses. Tired of medocracy.



TreyBurkeHeroMode

November 11th, 2013 at 9:44 PM ^

As a PR guy by trade, this is basic crisis communications:

  1. Acknowledge the issue.
  2. Apologize.
  3. Explain what you're doing to fix any problems you caused.
  4. Explain what you're doing to prevent it from happening again.
  5. Apologize again.
  6. Shut up.

So, if I were writing Hoke's opening statement:

"Obviously, our team didn't get it done yesterday and we didn't produce on offense. I know the fans expect more, and they should. At the end of the day, as the head coach, it's my responsibility and I'm sorry that we didn't meet the expectations that everybody involved with Michigan has for this program. We'll take a look at what worked and what didn't work in the upcoming week and move forward as a team, coaches and players together to get ready for Northwestern. Again, I know the fans are disappointed with our performance the past two games, as are all of us in that locker room, and I'm sorry."

Doesn't throw anybody under the bus, doesn't suggest taking off and nuking Schembechler Hall from orbit just to be sure, but defuses at least some of the fanbase's "Y U NO GET IT?" rage.

smwilliams

November 11th, 2013 at 11:54 PM ^

I'm just going to point out that when Ohio State went looking for a coach they found a guy with...

2 National Championships and 4 BCS Bowl Wins at Utah and Florida with a career record of 104-23

When Michigan went looking for a coach they found a guy with...

1 Poinsettia Bowl victory and 1 MAC West Title and a career record of 47-50 at Ball State and San Diego State.

 

tricks574

November 12th, 2013 at 1:56 AM ^

Our guy is a MICHIGAN MAN. Sure, Urban Meyer may have a few national and conference titles, dozens more wins, and an actual functioning offense, but I'll bet he looks at a picture hanging above his desk of Hoke everyday and is jealous he will never coach for Michigan.



/handwank.gif

TheJuiceman

November 12th, 2013 at 4:03 PM ^

I'm beginning to view Brady in a not so good light, outside of his poor coaching. Devin has been coughing up blood since the MSU game. He's not healthy and Brady's desperation/incompetence(chicken?egg?) is potentially hurting his pro career, just like these idiots did with Denard. He is who we thought he was.