Brady Hoke: Josh Furman's status with Michigan football team 'still being evaluated'
Related story: Michigan safety Josh Furman found not guilty on all charges related to February arrest
Michigan safety Josh Furman was suspended earlier this year and did not participate in the team's spring camp after he was arrested on three misdemeanor charges -- including for domestic violence and assault and battery.
Josh Furman
Furman was cleared of all those charges Thursday afternoon, but his status with the Michigan football team has not changed.
“We were informed of the court’s decision today," head coach Brady Hoke said in a statement. "Josh’s status with our football team is still being evaluated at this time.”
Furman's lawyer, Gerry Mason, told reporters at the courthouse that Michigan has a strict "no assaultive behavior" policy. That is why Furman refused to plead to a lesser charge.
Comments
GoblueinNE_PA
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
All this is, is Coach Hoke telling people to "back off" so he can make an informed decision. It's really no more complicated than that. My guess is that he's having Furman come in for a full mea culpa over the incident and then Coach will make the decision of putting the kid back on the team. I won't be suprised if he has to sit a game as a result. I actually think Furman shows some promise and could be an impact player for us at Safety. He was a good special teamer for us last year and had a nose for the ball. I'd like to see him get more reps on D and think he can earn them. As for comparison's to MSU and OSU, frankly, I don't care. What they do in EL and Columbus are their business. Run whatever kind of program you want. We spend too much time feeding the trolls here.
GB
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
Brady will be playing Josh come September.... Bet on it!
observer
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.
It doesn't matter if it Michigan or any of the others......he was never off the team.....sad, but true....
Blue Marker
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 12:20 p.m.
Off the team for what? I think it's best to wait for due process, don't you?
Steve McQueen
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.
a lot of press has gone on over this minor incident... particularly since Furman is a minor player at Michigan and has never started a game.
Irvine CA
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:56 a.m.
Give the kid a break, especially he did nothing wrong.
aareader
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
Sorry, I disagree that he did "nothing wrong". At a minimum, he is immature and a hot head. Whether he should be reinstated to the football team is up to his coach. For his sake, I hope he is reinstated to the team, but may deserve a stern talking-to.
MRunner73
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
Hopefully if Josh has any self control or anger issues, he can now get them worked out. I hope he is not a repeat offender like one Mr Stonum.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 10:54 p.m.
Adding: I still believe it should be revealed (at a minimum) whether the guy who taunted and provoked Furman is enrolled at Michigan. This has not been made clear and it is an issue. The flip side to Furman's self control and accountability is the status of his tormentor in relation to U of M. The judgement of THAT guy is certainly questionable and it's fair to subject him to the same standard as that Furman is being held to. No U of M student should be allowed this kind of behavior because the victim is really the one who was provoked, damaged, exposed to penalties and ridicule. There has to be some kind of university control over student behavior, if there's not - then there's no meaning to the "honor" of being a Michigan graduate other than maybe getting a better job and having the 'right' to continue unacceptable behavior.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 10:40 p.m.
I think TerryStar21 has it right: The coaches must look at Josh Furman's in-school and in-team record before making a decision on whether to bring him back into the program. If indeed Furman has had "temperament issues" already, then it's impossible for Coach Hoke to let him come back. Self discipline, self control and a sense of accountability are key to Hoke's philosophy and judgement. Good luck, Josh Furman, we do hope your coach sees you as a Michigan Man even if you're going to be on probation for a time.
Terry Star21
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
If this were ohio or michigan state, he would be back on the team exchanging 'high-fives' with coaches and team mates - but it is not. We don't know what else went on with this student athlete, i.e. violation of team or university rules, etc. That is why our 'Michigan Men' coaches will carefully evaluate this situation before making a decision; thus the difference between college footballs greatest team, and criminal accepting universities to the north and south of here. MgoBlueForTiM....history, tradition, and righteousness...
azwolverine
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:43 a.m.
7718...since Furman was found not guilty, and further because Hoke is still evaluating the situation, then if Furman is reinstated a comparison cannot be made to Ohio and Msu who put known lawbraekers on the field and/or covered up facts. Whatever past discrepancies you might be mentioning from Michigan certainly didn't happen on Hoke's watch.
7718
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.
So if Hoke keeps him on the team he is doing exactly what Ohio or Michigan state would have done. Maybe Michigan men are coaching those schools too? righteousness? Be careful, a lot of names could be brought up who were the complete opposite of righteousness from that school in Ann arbor.
xmo
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.
It sounds like Josh Furman is a true ROLE MODEL for the youths of Michigan and he does such a good job representing the team! I guess he is what you call a "MICHIGAN MAN"
Scott Laux
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
That sort of thing happens to me all the time. I'm always forcing my way into a guys apartment because he's talking trash about my ex girlfriend. The police and the DA and the courts are always causing me trouble.
craigjjs
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.
Hey azwolverine, I just accidentally voted you down; meant for justice. Sorry. You would have thought this task was covered in Computer Science 101.
craigjjs
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 11:40 a.m.
I really should get into the door repair business.
azwolverine
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 4:25 a.m.
Justice...just like you tell Scott to know what he's talking about before he posts, you might want to follow your own advice. You call Hoke a joke in your earlier post, but do you know ALL of the details that Hoke may be evaluating? Being not guilty in the eyes of the law does not mean there may not be other factors involved that need to be evaluated or discussed between Hoke and Furman before he can be reinstated. Like you implored Scott, don't jump to conclusions...if Furman has truly done nothing wrong as far as team rules go, I'm sure he'll be reinstated soon enough.
JusticeforFurman
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
How was he forcing his way into an apartment that he goes to on a regular basis and was there earlier twice that day? If you weren't at court then shut your mouth Scott. Otherwise, you will join the DA in looking like an ass because you assume you know what your talking about.
JusticeforFurman
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
Hoke's a joke!
meddler76
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 11:17 a.m.
Why do you antagonize these poor people who can't detect satire?
eagleman
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:24 a.m.
Why is he is joke? He has not made a decision either way. If you don't like don't be a Michigan fan.
Scott Laux
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.
It's a conspiracy. Stick it to the man.
goldenblue
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
I have to agree withDavid Vande Bunte.Let Furman play.
David Vande Bunte
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
What's to re-evaluate? If he is found not guilty on all accounts, shouldn't be be immediately reinstated? I am not sure what the problem would be.
David Vande Bunte
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.
What part of "he was found NOT guilty on ALL charges" isn't clear to you?
Kevin Shabinski
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
I thought all college athletes were supposed to be held to a higher standard? Isn't that what you preach? Oh, not for THIS school. Kick him off the team.
Steve McQueen
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:42 a.m.
This is not MSU or Ohio. Players are accountable for their actions.
Eep
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
He'll almost certainly be reinstated, but there could be any number of reasons why it wouldn't be immediate. Just because he wasn't guilty of a crime doesn't mean he didn't violate team rules when he got into this confrontation. It's also possible that he violated team rules in some way during his suspension - I have no reason to think he did, but it's one of many possibilities.