A press conference to introduce Brady Hoke as the new University of Michigan football coach became a family reunion Wednesday afternoon as old Blue boosters, players and coaches welcomed one of their own back to Ann Arbor.

And without warning, it turned into a revival meeting, with Hoke bristling at a question about a slumping national reputation for the school’s football team.

“This is Michigan, for God's sake,” he said. “This is Michigan.”

It was red meat to the former players and coaches who packed the back of the press conference, a group that was boisterous Wednesday in their happiness to see the former Michigan defensive line coach brought back to be the head coach.

Three years ago, a smaller group of the Michigan family turned out to welcome Rich Rodriguez as the replacement for Lloyd Carr. But that press conference had a questioning undercurrent, as hardly anyone then knew the coach - the first hired outside the Bo Schembechler Michigan family.

Hoke’s press conference had a different tone.

Former player after former player took turns talking to scrums of media about their former coach - all with smiles.

“I’ve kept in touch with Brady (and other coaches) since I left here,” said former offensive lineman Jon Jansen. “That’s what makes Michigan so special - we’re a family.

“He (Hoke) knows what it is to be a Michigan man.”

As Jansen spoke, the diamonds on his 1997 national championship ring sparkled in the television cameras’ lights.

The same ring sparkled on Hoke’s hand as he pounded the podium to emphasis his dislike for “that school in Ohio.”

Each time Hoke’s hand hit the podium, a barrage of cameras clicked from photographers crouched low in front of the podium and standing on either side of the room.

The announcement was a national media event. More than a half-hour before the press conference was scheduled to start 19 television cameras were already trained on the podium, while a long lines of satellite trucks idled outside.

A semi-trailer from the Big Ten Network was parked in the lot, beaming live coverage across its channel.

Television, print, magazine and radio reporters from across the country filled the 70 seats set up to accommodate them, while more stood in the back. It was a top story on ESPN.com, Yahoo Sports and SI.com, just to name a few, with columnists at all three places weighing in on the hire.

More than two-dozen current players sat in the far back of the room, with various university administrators mingled with boosters and other members of the Michigan family.

Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman was not at the press conference. She was in Lansing for a previously scheduled meeting between Gov. Rick Snyder and the presidents of Michigan’s universities.

““I am extremely pleased for our student-athletes and fans to welcome Brady Hoke back to the University of Michigan to lead our football program,” Coleman said in a statement. “His impressive credentials and his previous experience with U-M tell me he is a leader both on and off the field. I look forward to the 2011 season and the excitement that is Michigan football.”

In attendance were, among others, Schemy Schembechler, Garrett Irons, John Kolesar, Stan Edwards, Brian Townsend, James Hall, current Ball State head coach and former Michigan assistant coach Stan Parrish and Detroit Lions President Tom Lewand.

High profile former Michigan football players also weighed in with praise for the hire.

“I’m excited for Brady Hoke and even more excited for Michigan,” said Charles Woodson, the 1997 Heisman Trophy winner and former Michigan cornerback. "I’m glad this process is over and we can begin to restore the tradition and respect that was once Michigan.”

Brian Griese, the quarterback on that national championship team, built on those themes in a statement.

“Coach Hoke understands and respects the proud tradition of Michigan and will galvanize the Michigan family.”

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, himself a former Michigan football player, never overtly said he hired Hoke to restore the Michigan family feeling to the program, but was clear in his opening remarks that Hoke’s familiarity with Michigan was a big plus.

“Brady understands Michigan and what football means here. He has lived it as a coach. He doesn’t have to learn the words to “The Victors,” he’s sung it many times in the locker room. He doesn’t need a map to get around Ann Arbor.”

David Jesse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.