Brian we need you to lead us

Submitted by 3rdGenerationBlue on

Dear Brian,

The last few months and particularly the last few days have been stressful for the average Michigan fan. As the creator and primary contributor of MGoBlog you lived and breathed every twist and turn of the coaching change so I can only imagine what it has been like for you. Your passion and frustration about what has transpired is undeniable.

Few if any of us are completely satisfied with the process that lead to the hiring of our new coach. Some have said that the players have gone through a grieving process since Coach Rodriguez was let go - it stands to reason that we, the fans of Michigan football, would do the same. No matter what our individual opinions are of Rich Rodriguez and his staff there is no debate that they gave maximum effort to build a winning football team. We need to honor them by reminding people of the positives and not dwelling on the negatives.

I respect your honestly and integrity in reporting the full story of the coaching change - please keep it up. However, based on public comments from some players today it sounds like they are turning the page and are prepared to embrace their new coach. I'm hoping you will continue to lead the MGoCommunity in that direction as well. If we want Michigan football to succeed in the near term Brady Hoke needs our support. 

Thanks again for creating MGoBlog,

MFG

Comments

erik_t

January 12th, 2011 at 11:19 PM ^

Not a fan. I dearly appreciate Brian's opinions on things.... but holy crap man, get a grip. You've got a big pile of data. Form your own conclusions. Don't beg someone else to make decisions for you.

unitedposter

January 12th, 2011 at 11:24 PM ^

I feel like brian (all the mgowriters really) do this anyway. Of course they'll have opinions on whatever news comes up, but most of the content on this site is devoid of bias. Like one post said before, regardless of who the coach is, we all want michigan to win (unlike FREEP etc)

 

(okay, there's a slight maize and blue tint of bias but whatever)

DrewandBlue

January 12th, 2011 at 11:30 PM ^

We need Brian, DG, Magnus, Zone, aaa, VH, Don, Profit, etc...to lead the way.  For the most part (not everybody) people seem to be smoking what they're rolling! 

Let's keep things positive.  People should be able to express their opinion, but the bashing and outright ill informed, ignorant rhetoric is detrimental to morale! 

I mean, if the guy is breaking rules, locking players in closets, ignoring bad behavior etc…then by all means, go at him.  But when the guy hasn’t even started and he is getting slammed, well that is just straight up, unfair.

Nice post.  Thanks for reaching out.  Go Blue.  Go Hoke.  Go Team!  And here are a couple more exclamation points for DB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aawolve

January 13th, 2011 at 1:42 AM ^

Lead in what capacity? Helping to shape how you think/feel? I actually think it would be incredibly interesting to watch Brian continue down this path. I'll contentedly watch from the bandwagon. This blog is what it is, take what you want from it.

DrewandBlue

January 12th, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^

you have the urge to say something negative...just throw in FreeP prior to your typed out thought!  It may help a bit plus we all hate the FreeP.   

Here, I'll start...FreeP sucks balls!

Atlanta_Blue

January 12th, 2011 at 11:30 PM ^

I appreciate that many on here supported our coach when his name was Rich Rodriguez, even though it was apparent to most people that his ship was sinking and not worth salvaging.   Now our coach is named Brady Hoke, and whether he was your first choice or not even on your list, it's time to get behind him.  Brian, like it or not you set a tone for a lot of youngish Michigan fans.  Now's a great time to set the tone that we fully support our coach.  If he goes 3-9 next season, you may commence bashing.

Bummer

January 13th, 2011 at 12:34 AM ^

in an odd situation. While I'm deeply disappointed by the hire (that I knew was coming in early December; just ask my wife), I am inexplicably EXPECTING to end up loving it.  Something tells me that I'll end up loving having Hoke as head coach.  It may not be today, and it may not be next year, but something tells me that this WAS the right hire, and that Hoke will go down as one of the great coaches at Michigan.

RLS-Jr

January 13th, 2011 at 12:53 AM ^

The more I learn about Brady Hoke, the more excited I am about him as the new head football coach at the University of Michigan.  I cannot tell a lie – I struggled to get excited about him as a candidate initially and didn’t feel much elation when the announcement was made yesterday.  I was relieved that the process was over, and vowed to be supportive either way, but I wasn’t really happy.  It’s not that I didn’t think he was a good guy or potentially a good coach, it just felt like, after the past three years and the past few weeks in particular, we needed a bigger buzz.  There was clearly some disappointment that he wasn’t Jim Harbaugh.  Many were enamored at the thought of Les Miles and his 62-17 record at LSU.  With Hoke, it appeared on the surface as if we were “settling”.  Frankly, there was also frustration that, if Hoke was our guy, we should have hired him 24 hours after the OSU game (not three weeks before National Signing Day for the 2011 recruiting class).  That is water under the bridge at this point.  Nobody but Dave Brandon really knows what happened at each stage during the process – and there isn’t a truth serum on the planet that will get him to talk.  However, let me say this, after seeing Brady Hoke in today’s press conference, I wouldn’t trade him for any coach in America (including Les Miles or Jim Harbaugh).  I’m serious.  If you didn’t see his press conference – please watch it now – in its entirety.  Have a Kleenex handy – and get ready to strap on your pads!  http://www.mgoblue.com/allaccess/?media=221155

 

I understand why the majority of fans were underwhelmed (or even concerned) initially:

  • His overall won/loss record as a head coach was just 47-50.  That may be true, but he inherited two perpetually moribund programs and made them both winners.  By the way, Auburn hired Gene Chizik after going 3-9 and then 2-10 (including 10 straight losses to finish his second/last season at Iowa State).   The genius fans nearly rioted and both the new coach and AD were booed upon his introduction.  Two years later he guided Auburn to the BCS National Championship (with help from a couple of JC transfers named Cam Newton and Nick Fairly)…
  • He hasn’t coached in a BCS Conference.  That may be true, but neither had Jim Tressel and it’s worked out pretty well for him and that school in Ohio.  By the way, while Hoke was on the Michigan coaching staff from 1995-2002 he acquired 5 Big Ten Championship rings plus a National Championship ring (he can show you all six if you are really nice).  I assure you he hasn’t sold any of them on EBay or traded them for free tattoos…
  • He doesn’t look like a Michigan football coach.  OK, the guy is unlikely to elicit man-crush reactions like Jim Harbaugh or Pete Carroll, and Sandra Bullock is unlikely to say “I find him extremely handsome” like she did about Nick Saban in The Blind Side.  Then again - he’s a football coach not a News Anchorman!  David Letterman even invited Hoke to read “The Top 10 Highlights of the Ball State Cardinals Football Season” on the Late Show after his 12-1 season in 2008…  How many coaches can say that!?  Here you go if you missed it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mErqJBbCjsc
  • He doesn’t like the spread so Denard Robinson will transfer.  This is not necessarily true.  Hoke has a history and reputation for best exploiting the talents of his players and team and adapting his approach accordingly.  That is what good coaches do.   They don’t try to force round pegs into square holes – and certainly don’t chase away the best player and most vocal leader on the team (who happens to be the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year)…

 

So why the change of heart?

  • It started with Jason Whitlock’s article “Hoke, not Harbaugh, perfect for Michigan”.  If you haven’t read it, please do so now.  You will be happy that you did.  http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/brady-hoke-not-jim-harbaugh-is-perfect-coach-for-michigan-wolverines-010711
  • It continued with several other articles written by people who actually know Brady Hoke and endorsements by people who actually played for Brady Hoke.  Most of the people who were dissing the man, or the decision to hire him, had never met him (and most had never seen him or actually heard him speak).  There doesn’t seem to be a person out there with a negative thing to say about the guy – including those who have coached and recruited against him.
  • It picked up steam when I heard that the current Michigan players gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced to the team and the supportive comments from guys (admittedly, mostly on the defensive side of the ball) like Mike Martin, Jibreel Black and others.  He has also received strong public endorsements from former players you may have heard of including Tom Brady and Charles Woodson.  Attending his press conference were 20+ former players (most who played for Brady Hoke, many who hadn’t).  They took time from work and their families to drive (and in some cases fly) to Ann Arbor to welcome him with open arms.  I considered doing the same (and catching tonight’s Michigan versus OSU basketball game) but was snowed in CT/NYC…
  • In addition to hearing great things about him as a coach and a person – I continue to hear that he’s a great recruiter.  He recruited guys like Tom Brady, Justin Fargas and Leon Hall to leave sunny California to play at Michigan.  Recruiting talent to places like Florida, LSU or Texas – that takes care of itself.  Anyone who can recruit talent to Ball State has to be really good!  I think we will do a much better job of recruiting again in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois. 
  • The clincher was the press conference.  This guy is all substance over style.  He may look and sound a bit like Fred Flintstone, but he cares deeply about coaching and his players.  He speaks from the heart.  He uses the term “we” rather than “me” or “I”.  He is all about the team and family.  He said he would have walked to Ann Arbor from San Diego (and he meant it).  He accepted the job immediately without knowing (or even asking about) the terms!  He loves Michigan, he loves Ann Arbor, he knows the Midwest.  He understands our culture, our traditions, our rivalries and what makes us special.  He understands that winning the Big Ten is everything.  If you don’t win the Big Ten, you don’t get to compete for National Championships.  This is a guy who is comfortable in his own skin (unfortunately RR never gave that impression). 

 

Here is the deal.  Brady Hoke is facing an extraordinary set of challenges in the next few weeks – and he needs our help.  We need to back this guy 100%+ with all of our maize & blue hearts.  No more whining about our former coach or other candidates or this scheme or that.  We have our guy and he’s going to be here a LONG time.  Hopefully, as Michigan fans, you don’t need convincing.  If you do, hopefully this and similar notes, articles, emails and Blogs have helped.  If you are still not there – that’s too bad – suck it up.  We need to make his job easier not harder.  Here are just a few of the things he must do:

  • Meet with the current players (particularly the seniors and leaders), to share his passion and vision (and re-recruit them).  It’s inevitable that there will be some turnover.  Hopefully it’s kept to a minimum – and it doesn’t get personal like it did three years ago.
  • Meet with the recruits who are currently committed and re-recruit them (particularly those who are most at risk of going elsewhere).  Again, it’s inevitable that some may have second thoughts due to the change in coaching regime and/or potential scheme.  Some have already bailed, others are wavering but most are pretty solid.  Either way, we can’t take anything for granted. 
  • Meet with the recruits who had Michigan at or near the top of their list until recently but may have de-committed, waivered or committed elsewhere during this six weeks of uncertainty.  Many of those guys could potentially reconsider (especially if they view his press conference with their parents).  Apparently there will be no recruiting visitors to Ann Arbor this weekend which leaves just two monster/massive weekends to state the case and get this done.  Hopefully the late January weather in Ann Arbor is somewhat cooperative…
  • Assemble a staff.  This will obviously help with the points above. 
  • Start planning for Spring practice.
  • Start working on the 2012 recruiting class.  We are already behind here and, given the weakness and attrition of the past couple of classes, the importance of this cannot be overstated. 

 

What can we do?  Embracing this guy whole heartedly at tonight’s Michigan versus OSU basketball game would be a good start (the “Maize Rage” has it covered).  Support him amongst friends, fans, websites, blogs and Twitter.  Forward this note (or others like it) to Michigan graduates and fans everywhere.  We can no longer tolerate differing factions.  A House Divided Cannot Stand.  If you remain angry about something, send a note to Dave Brandon, but don’t take it out on Brady Hoke (and certainly don’t post it for opposing coaches to use against us in recruiting).  Our Athletic Director has taken some heat during this process, and initially after this hire, but nobody was more relieved than Dave Brandon during & after today’s press conference.  He knows he made an outstanding hire

 

p.s.  My dogs are named Bo and Brady (ok, so my Brady was named after Tom, but this gives me some flexibility)…  At least I don’t have to get another dog!

p.s.s.  Could Jared Sullinger enter a mid-year NBA draft of some sort?  He’s a beast and the Cavs could use him NOW (plus I’d rather not see him in scarlet & gray again anytime soon).

p.s.s.s.  Is there is a bigger moron in the world than Drew Sharp?  If so, I have no interest in ever meeting him.  How does that guy still have a job?

RLS-Jr

January 13th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^

... who happens to be a very BIG Michigan fan.  I grew up in Clarkston.  My parents haven't missed a home game in 50+ years.  I live in CT and run a HF in NYC.  My kids (aged 13, 11 and 9) have been brainwashed since birth.  and BTW - this site DOES have influence...

RLS-Jr

January 13th, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^

I write a ~weekly email (similar to my post above) which I send to friends (surprisingly, my recipient list continues to grow).  I scan the noise and distill into a detailed summary in an easy to read format.  I've visited this site MANY times over the years but never posted until yesterday.  I don't know Brian but appreciate the effort he puts forth to run this site.  That being said, for better or worse, it's a pretty influential site and can sway the opinions of certain fans, recruits and our competition.  The previous support for RR was commendable (to a point) as he was our coach.  But he's no longer our coach and nothing anyone says/does is going to change that.  Brady Hoke is our coach and anyone who saw the press conference or knows anything about Michigan football can see why.  We are seriously lucky to have him.  So, if you love Michigan football and what it stands for, it's time to embrace him whole heartedly 100%.  If you can't do that, please don't do anything to sabatoge his chances.  The Banner on this site is what Jon Stewart does to George Bush, not what Michigan fans do to their coach (who, by the way, is going to be here a LONG time).  Someone said Brian was continuing to bad mouth Hoke on the radio today!?  I have a hard time believing that but, if true, SHAME ON HIM.  Shame on any Michigan fan who is trying to create yet another division.  Brian backed himself into a corner by foolishly going ballistic on a guy who was a serious candidate to be our next coach (and has become our coach).  I'm willing to forgive and forget - it's time to move forward.  I'm not telling anyone how to think, but I'm asking people to be less spiteful to a guy who has been on the job for less than 24 hours.  Another life lesson from kindergarten "If you can't say something nice, don't say it all".  Or, at a minimum, please don't post it on Michigan website. 

blueindy

January 13th, 2011 at 12:57 AM ^

Might be appropriate after a season of utter failure but right now it comes across as bitter and childish. But it's your blog, and if you don't want to play nice with the new kid that's obviously your right. my F5 key still won't be getting much rest (sidenote: it's also been to 5 cities in 6 days)

M-Wolverine

January 13th, 2011 at 1:19 AM ^

If he wants to take his ball and go home. He can come around eventually, and follow everyone else, and support the program. Or he can not, be passive-aggressive hostile, and be a detriment to Michigan Football. It's his readership, his call whether he thinks that will increase or decrease his hits. He's entitled to his opinion, and has a forum to print it. I just think it's silly that Brian has to think for us. And if his "leading" is going to consist of Emo whining, that's not the kind of "leadership" we need. I mean, when your buddies like JamieMac are calling you out, maybe it's time to take a second look.

MCalibur

January 13th, 2011 at 1:39 AM ^

But I actually like Brian's unmitigated fandom. Whether you like it or not, people want to know what he thinks, and its refreshing to me that he's not bashful about expressing his disappointment. I relate to that 100% and others do, too. There's nothing wrong with that.

I think he's been much less unbalanced than you give him credit for. Yes, he's been off-center, but  I don't mind that. I can make my own mind up, even though you've accused me of not being able to in the past.

Whether you approve or not, Brian's voice has its own gravity in ways that yours can not and, no offense intended, will not. Every time I hear "blogs" in the context of Michigan football, I think of mgoblog and Brian Cook. Dude has built a brand out of nothing with no apparent overt marketing to begin with. That's no small potatoes, man.

Brian's opinions are heard nationally, and he represents the Michigan fanbase to a large degree. OP's just asking him to bring it around a little more cleanly. Making the OP, and anyone who respects Brian's opinions, out to be sheep is bullshit.

M-Wolverine

January 13th, 2011 at 2:25 AM ^

Cry about where we are, complain about the process. But the childish jabs at Hoke (be basically characterized him as a chubby tickle me elmo doll today) doesn't do him or anyone else any good. He's welcome to give us more data and charts about how awful it going to be after 3 years of charts on how great it's going to be.
<br>
<br>And my opinion may not mean much as much as Brian's, and it's nice he's cited on ESPN or whatever, but if he really had that much influence, We wouldn't be going through this coaching chance. So there are limits off this site (you think of blogs, you think of MGoBlog....most people think of blogs, and they go...huh? What's that?)
<br>
<br>And really, it could be an interesting take if it continues. He has built a wonderful business for himself by being an innovator. I'm just curious how a college football blog negative about the team works. I mean, if it's like this in JANUARY, it should be fun after we lose our first game...

MCalibur

January 13th, 2011 at 2:45 AM ^

Again, I see where you're coming from. That's fine. But you're whipping yourself (and others) into a frenzy that just isn't necessary. Brian hates subversive douche-bags. I doubt that he would turn into one. Calm down.

As for the coaching change, only one opinion actually matters; David Brandon's. That says nothing of people's interest in other people's opinion; namely Brian in this case. Anyway, he's a big boy. I don't need to defend him.

teldar

January 14th, 2011 at 12:27 AM ^

about making a list of people consistently negative about hoke, who seemed like they would not stop hating him until he was gone because he is not rr, and brian seems like he would have needed to have been on the list. It's time to suck it up and see if hoke can be successful, even if rr was fired a little prematurely.

bjk

January 13th, 2011 at 2:44 AM ^

where Brian was coming from RE BH three years ago (last search).

BH has won a few more games than he lost in the years since, but not enough to lead us to expect Brian to do a 180.

I don't know what you're looking for from Brian, but if it's political correctness, I don't think that's how he built the site in the first place.

MCalibur

January 13th, 2011 at 1:09 AM ^

Hoke is the guy, deal with it. [insert GIF here].

He wasn't my second choice (Harbaugh, everyone else) but I believe he was Brandon's. His ascension to the job clearly communicates what DB's priorities were when assessing candidates. That's his job; I'm over it.

Given those assumed priorities, Hoke is the right hire. I was dreading trying to muster the wherewithal to root for Les Miles and I'm grateful that I don't have to even though I would have made a good faith effort to do so.

My only question was, I think I'm over it now, why did it take so long for Brandon to make this announcement? After JH took the SF job, Hoke could've been announced the same day with, I think, more credibility with respect to the process. Everything that happened since JH bolted seems like a charade. That's limp.

None of that mattes anymore. Welcome, Coach Hoke. Now, let's strike down upon these mother-fuckers... ALL of them.

P.S. - Cosign, the banner thing. The tabloid flavor was excellent during the situation, but the situation has lapsed.

RockinLoud

January 13th, 2011 at 1:42 AM ^

I think Brian is supporting him, but like me, he is skeptical and will remain so until proven wrong.  Unfortunately that may take some time to see if he and I are either right or wrong. 

bjk

January 13th, 2011 at 2:28 AM ^

to be bad in the character department; turns out that was MSM garbage. He put the kids first, often at the peril of W's. He took his community responsibilities to heart.

When he was fired, one of the things I was least looking forward to was hearing the MSM whitewash the iffy character of Harbaugh or Miles in order to buff the "return to self" meme after wrongly slandering RR for three years. It didn't happen, but I still get acid reflux thinking about it.

There is nothing to detest about BH. M is still holding out against the wholesale surrender to soul-less commercialism in CFB while he is around. I'm not affirmatively excited about the hire or the process that led to it (including dumping RR in the midst of a major rebuild, botched in many ways, but moving forward). But I'm not having to fight to swallow down anxieties about the character or concern for the kids in the new HC, or watch those who slandered the last coach whitewash the next one. In terms of integrity and concern for others, BH is in what I still think of as the M tradition.

If he should turn out a winner as well, I'll get positively excited then. Meanwhile, I'm glad I don't have to defend JH or LM. I'd rather have BH; in the character department, he's not a step down from RR.

bluebyyou

January 13th, 2011 at 6:39 AM ^

Brian has his opinions, I have mine.  They often tend to be coincidental, but not always.  As long as I can freely express my opinion on this blog, and there is absolutely not one iota of anything to the contrary that I cannot, that is fine.  If Brian is negative, will that impact recruiting?  I don't know, but it is a concern that shouldn't be taken lightly.

As the very lengthy comment earlier in this thread noted, I found my feelings for Hoke changing massively during the presser.  At the beginning, he sounded weak and unpolished, but by the end, it was impossible to not be caught up in the honest emotion that he conveyed. As for his love of the program, I never once felt that same emotion from Richrod, not once. 

maybaum

January 13th, 2011 at 6:43 AM ^

...he answered the question about "what will be his greatest challenge?". Instead of the standard coachspeak pap, he paused and then said (paraphrasing):

Nothing - I have to do X, Y and Z, but those things aren't challenges, they are my job and I love doing them, and will do them with passion and intensity like you have never seen before.

No one on earth can say how successful he will be...but at least I now know that I like (and REALLY repect) the guy.

Oh, and about the banner - yes, I think that its time has come and gone. I would vote for going back to the pre-CC banner until the Next Great Thing comes along.

Bosch

January 13th, 2011 at 6:54 AM ^

Brian has a strong opinion on the matter and is sharing that.   I think he reserves that right since, you know, this is his blog.  He is not secretly hopinh that Hoke fails.  Nor will he boo him or the team when they take the field.  He's frustrated and he's venting, as are the rest of us.

Use your free will to form your own opinions.

GratefulBlue

January 13th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^

... what Brian writes is going to be interpreted as feeling of a large faction of Michigan fans. If he seems to hate the hire, which is pretty clear when he makes statements like "this is a bad hire," then we're back to where we were during the RR years. We do not want to appear like a "Big House divided." I think it's fine to slam DB for a poor search process if you feel that way, but for general fan morale and enthusiasm, and for the sake of our team, I think it's important for a guy in Brian's position to accentuate the positives.

cypress

January 13th, 2011 at 7:23 AM ^

The only people who are against Hoke are the ones who were obsessed with a big name and felt they were better equipped to choose a coch then David Brandon is. Initially I wasnt thrilled when I started hearing Hoke's name, but then I started hearing interviews from former players, cfb analysts, writers ect...and EVERYONE loves and respects the guy. He's a better fit for Michigan than Les Miles and it isnt close. I love this site, but could really care less about Brian's opinion on Brady Hoke. Its just lazy and ignorant to not give someone a chance. And the banner needs to go. Its doing a good job of making us look like we think we hired a buffoon and our AD is incompetent. Not all of us agree with this.

mschol17

January 13th, 2011 at 7:40 AM ^

Brian is making an evaluation based on existing data, not on emotions, press conferences, or anything else.  You have to admit that based on the data, it's a hire that doesn't jump out at you.

This doesn't mean that Hoke won't be a great coach, but absent knowing who Brandon actually interviewed and what they actually said we only have coaching resumes to go off of.

Rasmus

January 13th, 2011 at 7:50 AM ^

Now that he's had some actual exposure to Hoke. But this OP is pathetic (also -- a "letter to the editor" post is not a diary). I like reading Brian's take on things, but I don't need him to do anything -- I can think for myself.

I thought Brandon's explanation of how and why he chose Hoke was clear enough for a guy who hadn't slept in a week, and that's good enough for me. I feel the same anger as Brian toward segments of the Michigan community who actively worked to undermine Rodriguez, and similarly marvel at most of the news media's total lack of self-awareness. But, as Brian has already said, none of that is Brady Hoke's fault.

Presumably today we'll see Brian's take on yesterday's events -- there were some interesting things to reflect on and joke about. I suspect the ban on talking about the things Drew Sharp says will be lifted momentarily, since I thought what he (Sharp) said was particularly instructive in understanding where he is coming from -- there are fools with the same point of view on this blog, for what it's worth.

The other thing I thought was important was the fact Hoke was a Criminal Justice major and got into coaching only as a way to help kids stay out of trouble. Maybe we should nickname him "Officer Hoke" or "Sarge" or something, although I have a feeling those former players already have nicknames for him.

MGoAlum

January 13th, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^

co-sign.  RR is gone, Hoke is in, and almost everyone I've talked to is moving on and getting excited to see what our new coach can do.  As for needing a fearless leader, Hoke seems to be providing plenty of leadership and is getting people pumped for what's around the corner.

Re: Nicknames, Officer Hoke would be especially good considering we're bringing in a player named Justice.  If nothing else, we can look forward to seeing what puns Brent Musberger comes up with using this raw material.

blueheron

January 13th, 2011 at 9:13 AM ^

Hoke is pretty rough around the edges, but he seems like a high-character guy.  I'd recommend watching his exchange with Drew Sharp if you haven't done so already.  Strictly speaking, I didn't agree with Hoke's reasoning, but I love how he handled that DOOSHbag.  It's not hard to imagine him motivating his own troops very well.

To the main point, I'm glad *someone* in SE Michigan is taking a dissenting viewpoint on Brady Hoke.  Sure, I'd like the tone to by less whiny, but the groupthink that's been going on elsewhere (led, surely, by Corporate Guy Brandon) is embarrassing.

harmon40

January 13th, 2011 at 9:17 AM ^

there is a lot that we don't know, and never will know.  One possible, and very plausible scenario:

DB had some kind of back channel communication with Harbaugh, and #4 said "I will come to Michigan, it's my dream job, however there is no way I'm not coaching Stanford in the Orange Bowl."  

DB thinks, "Well, that's fine.  The timing will be awkward, but I'll get the guy everyone wants and save $1.5 on the buyout.  Sweet."  He then announces that he will wait until after bowl season to evaluate the season.

But then around bowl time, the NFL starts really throwing flowers at Harbaugh.  Multiple teams are interested.  He tells DB that he needs time to explore these options.  Now DB is in a bind; Michigan's bowl has been played and he has to make a decision on Rodriguez but Harbaugh is backing off his verbal assurances.  DB cannot publicly admit that there has been any kind of back channel communication.  Swinging through the jungle, he has to let go of one vine in order to try and grab the next one.  He does, and whiffs.  When Harbaugh decides to go to the NFL, he has to scramble to find the next option.

A significant portion of the fan base -and, more significantly, the athletic department- wants Les Miles.  On the surface of things, it's hard to argue against that based on the results he has had in Baton Rouge.  However it's not the best fit for either side, especially for Miles.  Whether the rumors about his personal behavior in Ann Arbor in the 90's are true or false, why on earth would his wife have any interest in returning to Ann Arbor and having people whisper behind their backs all the time?  He must interview Miles, and he does.  Then he hires a coach that not only did well at Michigan, but has the respect and even admiration of every player he ever coached and is a lights-out recruiter with national connections.

I wasn't thrilled with Hoke either, at first.  I feel a lot better about him now, especially seeing how he spoke of Michigan and the rivalry with the Hideous Minions of Evil.  That fact that he "gets it" is not something fuzzy and ephemeral - it will sell recruits on Michigan.

The question is not whether or not Hoke was the best coach in the country we could have gotten.  The question is whether or not he was the best coach for our situation.  More and more, as we learn more about him, I think he probably is.  I can't wait for the fall to find out for sure.