Hoke Hypothetical
I myself am pretty neutral about Hoke, I put myself strongly in the camp of I will believe it when I see it...I could honestly see things going great or flaming out, but of course I hope beyond hope for a Tressel-like rejuvenation of the program.
Anyway I was thinking about SDSU and the trajectory of their program and how that would effect people's view of the hire. For the most part I think my question goes out to the folks that are less than enthusiastic about him. Here is my hypothetical, if Hoke had stayed one more year at SDSU and say added a win going 10-3 would the hire then be a bit more palatable to folks, or would it still be a, 'profile in cronyism' as was discussed during the previous coaching search. I know personally this would make me a lot more comfortable, I really wish we had just a little bit more data about him. I think there would always be a nagging doubt based on playing in MWC but one more year would have really done it for me. What do you think?
Aug
January 22nd, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^
You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative Latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mister In-Between.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:00 PM ^
Hoke was a great hire, thats what I think.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^
But if Michigan has a losing season this year, next year, and the year after that, you will look foolish for proclaiming that he was a great hire. Best to hold off on judgment for a while.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^
Your name says it all.
January 22nd, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
Doesn't your signature say it all?
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:52 PM ^
just like last time. but hope springs eternal. Go Blue!
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:34 PM ^
January 22nd, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^
Its a new hire, you need 3-5 years minimum to get your stuff setup. Losing season is more the reality than a possibility next year.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^
Let's say he goes 10 - 3 next year anyway !! Would that make you feel better?
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^
Hoke is the new HC. Support him or get out !
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^
I believe you mean GIIIIIIIIIIIT out!
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
Support Hoke 100%. Thats the right thing to do if you're truly a Michigan fan. If you don't support him, then find you another school to hate on!
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:49 PM ^
January 22nd, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^
a name that does us absolutely no good right now.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^
I think you're already seeing some rejuvenation of the program as we speak. It might not be Tressel-like (my fingers threw up a little typing that name), but it is evident. Some talented ex-staffers are returning and we're starting to win back some of our recruiting class. The change in attitude is refreshing.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^
One DC does not equal "some talented ex-staffers" are returning. How about we all just reserve judgement until a couple of years down the road?
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^
Well to be fair our head coach is also one of those talented ex-staffers. So more like two people.
January 22nd, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^
Actually, to be really fair, Fred Jackson is also one of those talented ex-staffers. So more like 3 people.
January 22nd, 2011 at 3:57 PM ^
Yeah, he technically has been fired and rehired twice now in the last three years.
January 22nd, 2011 at 5:21 PM ^
Big difference between the relative accomplisments of the two men. One of them has a track record of success. One of them made the alum happy. I'm all for giving Hoke a chance to make this work, but to call what he has done since leaving Michigan a success is a bit of a reach.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^
You had me until "effect".
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^
His hiring alone didn't make me click my heels at first. Now that his staff is in place and the positive buzz surrounding him right now I feel that it was a good hire. I pray we got this one right because to fail isn't an option at this point. So I am all fucking in.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^
"All F-ing In For Michigan" ?
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
I will take two. Shows team support and the statement is also some what poetic.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 PM ^
I am all in for MICHIGAN !
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^
I am all in for Michigan
January 22nd, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^
Just for your avatar
January 22nd, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
It's funny because you are replacing the "B" in Buckeyes with an "F", and then the "F" in Fuck with a "B". Like, it makes fun of Ohio State (haha Fuckeyes! It rhymes but is insulting! And we're not swearing, we're saying buck!). It's for those who want to swear and be creative. Spot on.
Just say Fuck Ohio State.
January 22nd, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
of the "Buck F---eyes" slogan. It still has "F---" in it. It's not really covering anything up like "Wuck Fisconsin" or something along those lines does.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^
A little off present topic, but I just joined twitter and am following Coach Hoke. He is only following 3 people, one of them is Tressel. The other 2 are UMich related. Hoke is ready for battle.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^
Ummm... that is a fake Hoke account. Verified by Angelique on the day of Hoke's presser.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
Thanks. it would make sense since he doesn't seem to be too tech savvy. I guess I got fooled by mgoblue.com link with it
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^
Hypothetically speaking, I would say that more than likely it's probably a distinct possibility
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^
That Michigan and Dave Brandon has done a good job promoting Hoke, (ie. getting former players to endorse him because he is a "Michigan man") but that doesn't mean anything until he wins on the field and recruits. Don't be mad but it's interesting how a lot of people seem to just buy in to all this hype. People act like Hoke is some savior cause all this buzz is going on, I hope this hire can translate into competing on the highest level in recruiting and on the field, meaning playing for national titles. I have my doubts, but I'm just one person. I can't predict the future but to me it doesn't look very bright. Maybe I'm a fool but I believe Michigan should be competing at a high level year after year, not just in the running for a big ten title and rose bowl run where we get beat down by somebody. It seems like a lot of M fans are ok with that, it's also a reflection of the hire by Dave Brandon.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^
Is that you Drew Sharp?
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
Not directed towards me? Be logical please.
January 22nd, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^
It was pretty clearly directed at you.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^
It's equally interesting how you buy into the 47-50 record, earned at two of the worst Division I programs of recent years. Can we let the guy coach here before we condemn/praise him?
I think we all agree that UM should be competing at a high level every year, but right now running for Big 10 titles looks pretty good. Let's get there then go from there.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:45 PM ^
And like I said I'm not a fortune teller.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^
Think we all agree M should be competing at the highest level every year. It's obvious some people don't understand what that looks like.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:56 PM ^
to show us the way . LMAO
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:02 PM ^
So why do you even care what I say? Your funny though.
January 22nd, 2011 at 3:21 PM ^
Think we all agree M should be competing at the highest level every year.
And it clearly sucks, then, that we hired a man who was on our national-championship staff, posted the best record in Ball State's history and posted SDSU's best record in 20+ years.
January 22nd, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^
I couldn't tell if you are directing this at me, but just so you know I agree with your sentiment (the sarcastic part of it)
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:30 PM ^
I have always looked at Michigan in the light that i may not agree with some of the decisions made, but it is not Hoke's fault (just like Brian said) and therefore i will support Hoke his time here at Michigan, and lets hope that is a long time.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:44 PM ^
I think if he had that other year at SDSU and gone 10-3 i'd feel a little better about the hire (i've since come around from being Brian-style angry to just skeptical/neutral) but it really doesn't matter since this is a different stage entirely. I'm more concerned about the offensive scheme and how our spread players will be utilized. I'm not against hoke and am not rooting for failure, rather, i hope he succeeds and proves all of my doubts to be entirely wrong. All in.
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:08 PM ^
Although I was in the "keep RR' camp, I will give Hoke the benefit of the doubt that many didn't give RR. If I don't support our coach, it makes me no better than the people who called for RR's head from the start. One of three things will happen....1) he flops, 2) he succeeds, 3) he hovers around .500. (pretty in depth, huh? LOL) In any of the three, I will support this team with every breath even though I have my concerns. Let him prove he knows what he's doing. I'm definitely sold on his love for MIchigan!
January 22nd, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
A 10-3 record would lessen my confidence of Hoke. My thought was everyone that wanted Hoke assumed he would have a season like he did in his last year at Ball State next season. That was the argument of why RR's 32-5 record is not comparable to his success at SDSU. he just was 3 years away from that.
January 22nd, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
Obviously any coach's resume is going to look better if you tack another ten win season on top of it. At the same time, Dave Brandon wasn't interested in getting more information. He could have given Rodriguez another year and done a much more definitive evaluation of both Rodriguez and Hoke (who would still have been available if Brandon then wanted to hire him). At the end of the day he wanted Rodriguez out and Hoke in no matter what might have happened next year and nothing anyone else says is going to change that now. As such, we can only evaluate Hoke on what he does on the job. So far he's done a nice job in the PR arena (though this is shaped more by press reaction than anything he's said/done), hired two quality experienced coordinators, and kept the current team together.
It will be quite a while before we know much about Hoke as a head coach and program builder at this level, but in the meantime it looks like he's going to get a pass from the local media and the fans will almost certainly embrace him (and many/most have already) when this team has the kind of success they will/should the next few years. At this point all we can do is wait and see how it turns out.
January 22nd, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^
I guess you never would have hired Bo out of Miami of Ohio then.