It's official: Michigan's Brady Hoke earns coach of the year award for 3rd time in 4 years
Brady Hoke is the first Michigan football coach to be named the Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year since Gary Moeller.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
No team in the Big Ten Conference surpassed expectations more than Michigan.
That makes first-year Wolverines coach Brady Hoke a logical choice to become Big Ten Coach of the Year.
And now, he is.
Hoke was named on Wednesday afternoon the Big Ten’s Dave McClain coach of the year by the league's media and earned the inaugural Hayes-Schembechler trophy from the coaches after guiding Michigan to a 10-2 regular season.
The coaches' trophy is named, in part, for former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, whom Hoke calls a mentor from his time as an assistant at the school from 1995-2002.
Hoke is Michigan’s first coach of the year since Gary Moeller in 1991 and '92.
“Any type of awards that are given, whether it’s the Heisman Trophy or best taper — if you’re taping ankles — we have a great staff and we have a great group of kids," Hoke said on Monday.
"My point is, it’s never one person or one guy. It’s everybody involved in the program. Jon Falk and how he gets the guys ready from the equipment standpoint to Paul Schmidt in the training room, and the people who take pride in feeding those kids and all that stuff. I’ve got the greatest job in the world. It’s fun. It’s fun being with those kids.”
Hoke also was the Mountain West Coach of the Year at San Diego State last season and the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year at Ball State in 2008. So, he's won coach of the year honors three times in four years.
One of Hoke's three captains, senior center David Molk, said he earned it.
"He deserves it," said Molk, who on Monday was named the Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year. "I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend.
"He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly."
Hoke has pulled all the right strings since being hired in January. He lured a top-five recruiting class to Ann Arbor, then went 10-2 in his first season and led the Wolverines to their first win against Ohio State since 2003.
He is the second Michigan coach to win at least 10 games in his first season. The other was Fielding Yost, who won 11 in 1901.
Hoke is the fifth Big Ten coach to win at least 10 games in his first season.
He went 6-2 in Big Ten play, matching former coach Rich Rodriguez's three-year win total, and has positioned his team for a possible BCS bowl. It is not expected to play in a worse bowl than the Capital One, which is the league's second tie-in.
Does that make this season a success?
"No, because we didn't win the (Big Ten) championship," Hoke said in a video released by the school Wednesday. "I think we made some growth, I think those guys playing their last football representing Michigan. I think they did a tremendous job.
"But the expectation here is to win Big Ten championships, and we didn't do it. So, we've gotta get ready after this bowl game and win it next year."
Hoke is the second former Michigan assistant to earn coach of the year honors Wednesday. He joins Eastern Michigan's Ron English, a defensive coordinator for Lloyd Carr who was named the Mid-American Conference's top coach.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.
It would be hard (if not impossible) to top the comments already on this board. I'll just add my appreciation (and relief) over Michigan's wise choice of and great progress under Hoke, Borges, Mattison and this great bunch of players at Michigan. Thanks too to Kyle Meinke and AnnArbor.com: coverage of Michigan football is a mission you've progressed in as well. Three COTY awards for Hoke in four years is a detail worth bringing to people's attention. Now, there remains only the post-season bowl game and Recruit Signing Day before the 2012 Cycle of Michigan Football begins. Let the progress and success continue! Go Blue!
Carole
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.
Congratulations Mr. hoke -- it is nice to have Michigan back with fun, positive stuff and some very good wins. Keep up the great work to all--coaches and players alike.
blue91mba
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 7:59 a.m.
Mr. Hoke, You make the alumni proud. We truly are proud of our great school, and of you and your young men. Thank you. Go Blue!
Mo the Educator
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 7:52 a.m.
I had to come back on here to say that I was critical of the firing of Rich Rod, and I wanted Chris Petterson to be our next head coach. I was also concerned about Brady Hoke's being in above his head as Michigan's new lead man. A season later, I gotta say that Hoke has done a fantastic job in his first season! I don't know how much different the record would have been under Rich Rod, but the defense and kicking game are on a different planet from last year. More importantly, it looks like the kids on the team have really taken to Hoke and his staff, and Molk's comments are exactly what we want to hear as Big Blue fans. I do want Coach Hoke to put the headset on every once-in-awhile to keep Al Borges from outcoaching his own self (i.e. Michigan State), but other than that? Count me as a fan of Brady Hoke! (Does that make me a Hoke-a-maniac? Man that's corny!)
DonAZ
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 6:21 a.m.
Great article dated February of 2011, before Hoke's first game at Michigan. It's about Hoke and what we can expect from Hoke as HC at Michigan: <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/brady-hoke-not-jim-harbaugh-is-perfect-coach-for-michigan-wolverines-010711" rel='nofollow'>http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/brady-hoke-not-jim-harbaugh-is-perfect-coach-for-michigan-wolverines-010711</a> Key quotes: o "He has an uncanny ability to get kids to believe in him and believe in themselves. He doesn't do it with smooth words. He's not smooth. He does it by being the same genuine person day after day." o "He connects. The kids hang on his words, respond to his tough love and accept his discipline." o "Good coaches love working for Hoke." o "If Michigan would love Hoke with half the passion Hoke loves Michigan, beating Ohio State and returning to the top of the Big Ten wouldn't take more than three seasons." He's accomplished on piece of that. Top of the Big 10 is still a goal. It will always be a goal. As Lorain Steelman has written, the job is not done. Hoke says the same. We are in good hands with Brady Hoke.
BUCKEYE6574
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:44 p.m.
"We are in good hands with Brady Hoke". Does Brady Hoke sell insurance for Allstate on the side?
RJ12688
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 5:42 a.m.
Fantastic job by Coach Hoke this year. What him and his staff have done this year is nothing short of remarkable. Outside of a great record, you seen a disciplined team that was rarely penalized, played with hard, but with class, and most of all, got better and better all year. These are all the signature of a coach who gets it. Hoke got his dream job, and Michigan is lucky to have Hoke. This team is going nowhere but up. p.s. I see a pretty large numbers of haters on these boards... A bunch of OSU and MSU fans trying to rationalize why UM isnt heading to the top is a beautiful thing in my eyes. Keep dreaming haters.
alnan
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 4:39 a.m.
Congratulations Coach from a long time fan who is living in Cincinnati these days but will always be a fan!!
ocblue
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 4:35 a.m.
" I would have walked from SD to Ann Arbor " A true Michigan Man! GO BLUE!
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:06 p.m.
I may be wrong but I think he said, "... we would have walked to Ann Arbor." Meaning, he and his wife and daughter. :-) That's a great family.
BUCKEYE6574
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.
He could sure use the exercise!!
ArthGuinness
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 2:43 a.m.
I know this is mostly about Hoke, but I wanted to give a shout out to Ron English as well. I don't know about anybody else but I was surprised to see EMU become bowl eligible this year with a 6-6 record. English's reign started out kind of rough with a record of 0-12 in 2009 and 2-10 in 2010, but things might be turning around.
BUCKEYE6574
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:55 p.m.
This sounds familiar-rough start record of 3-9 in 2008, 5-7 in 2009, and 7-6 in 2010. Would have been at least 10-2 in 2011. Who am I talking about? You guessed it: Rich Rodriguez.
BUCKEYE6574
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
I totally agree. Ron English did a great job! 3 of thos losses were by 6 points or less and 2 additional losses were to Penn State and Mich. He has this program heading in the right direction.
DonAZ
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 5:21 a.m.
I heard Ron English's name mentioned on local Tucson sports radio as they were talking about the vacant position up at Arizona State. He's done a fine job with EMU ... he stuck it out. Good for him.
Lorain Steelmen
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
Congatulations to Coach Hoke! We fans are all well pleased, not for just Brady, but for the kids and the whole program. He has returned pride, and intensity, to the program, to match the schools' pursuit of excellence, the RIGHT way. To be fair, I was NOT pleased with the msu and Iowa games, but Hoke held the team together, and they GREW from the experience, and the challenge. They got BETTER! ..There is absolutley, NO doubt in my mind, that today UM, IS the best team in the league, and would beato Iowa, MSU, Wiscnsin, or Penn State, next saturday. Taking the ENTIRE year into consideratrion, I think Hoke, the assistants, and players, ALL did an excellent job. But gentlemen, the job is NOT done. There is MUCH work to be done yet. We want to see this team CONTINUE to imporve, and beat an SEC school, in one of the Florida Bowls.(Capital ONE?)....Send the SEC a message, This IS Michigan! Let's finish....11-2!
NC Wolverine 20
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1:05 a.m.
A Midwestern university with a great football tradition fired its coach after 3 disappointing years. A new coach was hired. Not the first choice, but he nonetheless came to campus with much fanfare. The new coach won coach-of-the-year honors as a rookie and was widely acclaimed as the savior of a once-great program. Who was that new coach? Charlie Weis.
DonAZ
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 4:39 a.m.
I guess your point being that the once proud Weis stumbled and fell, and thus Hoke may as well. The difference, naturally, is the part about pride. Weis never met himself in a mirror and didn't think, "Genius!" Frankly, he's too clever by half ... which is why his Florida offense underperformed this year. Hoke isn't Weis. Hoke has his head screwed on straight. Hoke will be fine. Pride cometh before a fall only applies when Pride is present to begin with.
bluenella
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1 a.m.
A winning combination: great coach, generous, humble, dedicated, loyal to the players & traditions of Michigan football. Congratulations to Coach Hoke & his staff, this honor is richly-deserved.
Theo212
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:41 a.m.
He should have boxed up the trophy right on TV and stated that he was mailing it to its rightful owner, Our King.
1st Down
Fri, Dec 2, 2011 : 6:53 a.m.
Im partial to Goebel (Joe'belle) meself.....
Theo212
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
Thanks, Don! I'll be there at 2:30 this afternoon (Mountain Time). Speaking of mountains, please ice down 6 delicious Busch Lights! If you ain't got any of those, then let's go with Altes.
DonAZ
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 4:35 a.m.
Nah ... the King will soon have so many BCS crystals he won't have room to store them all. And in Arizona, that's saying a lot cuz space is plentiful here. Lots and lots of open space. I had a beer with the King today here in Tucson. He mentioned you, Theo. Really, he did. He asked me to pass along to you his thanks for all your support. He said he could use a booster or two in Tucson to get him going. Southwest has nice rates to Tucson. USAir through Phoenix as well. C'mon down! Heck, I might even have a beer or two with ya! We can draw up offensive plays on bar napkins. I have this killer idea of a play that has 48 wide receivers, but since they're all moving so fast the referees can't count 'em!
Terry Star21
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
This is sad, very sad. Normally I laugh at funny posts - but this comment tries to slight our leader, our hero. So terribly sad.
NC Wolverine 20
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 2:01 a.m.
Get thee, Theo, to Arizona!
azwolverine
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
Well earned, coach. Thank you from Michigan fans everywhere for returning our football program back among the nations top teams!
Mick
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : midnight
@maizenbluedoc Ok, I kept having to explain this to people last year on this and many other blogs. Hoke took over Ball St. when they were god awful. I'm talking consistent 10 game losers or close to that. he turned them around while play a handful of BCS schools every year, as a matter of fact in 2006 they gave that great U-M team a really hard time before losing by 8 points. He took over an SDSU program that was consistently underachieving under Chuck Long, who was hired the same year USD (San Diego) hired Harbaugh, I bet they wish they had hired Jim instead in retrospect. Anyway, Long stunk as a coach and Hoke came in and had a tough 1st year changing the attitude of that program and went 9-4 with a bowl win over a very adept Navy squad in the 2nd yr. So if you added up Hokes' last 2 years at BSU, 2nd year at SDSU and this year at U-M his record is 38-13, and 31-7 if you take out his 2007 season. I'm pretty confident that record will only improve. There is a reason that the saying goes "don't judge a book by its cover".
BUCKEYE6574
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 4:05 a.m.
Terry Star 21-Who is sad? You are. Anyone with a computer can check everything I posted and see I was 100% correct. Where did you get your information from? I can prove and back my facts/statements. Can you. Sad, very sad!
BUCKEYE6574
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:56 a.m.
Bill Lynch (37-53) 2005 (4-7); MAC 4-4 (5th West) Coach Hoke 9/3 Iowa (A) L 56-0 10 Bowling Green (H) * L 40-31 17 Auburn (A) L 63-3 10/1 Boston College (A) L 38-0 8 Western Mich. (A) *+++++ W 60-57 15 Toledo (H) * L 34-14 22 Ohio (A) * L 38-21 29 Northern Ill. (A) * W 31-17 11/5 Akron (H) * W 23-17 12 Eastern Mich. (A) * W 26-25 19 Central Mich. (H) *+ L 31-24 2006 (5-7); MAC 5-3 (3rd tie West) Coach Hoke 8/31 Eastern Mich. (H) * W 38-20 9/9 Indiana (H) L 24-23 16 Purdue (A) L 38-28 23 North Dakota St. (H) L 29-24 30 Northern Ill. (H) * L 40-28 10/7 Buffalo (A) * W 55-25 14 Central Mich. (A) * L 18-7 21 Western Mich. (H) * L 41-27 28 Miami Univ. (A) * W 20-17 11/4 Michigan (A) L 34-26 14 Toledo (A) * W 20-17 24 Kent State (H) * W 30-6 2007 (7-6); MAC 5-2 (1st tie West) MAC West Co-Champions Coach Hoke 8/30 Miami Univ. (H) * L 14-13 9/8 Eastern Mich. (A)* W 38-16 15 Navy (A) W 34-31 22 Nebraska (A) L 41-40 29 Buffalo (H) * W 49-14 10/6 Central Mich. (H) * L 58-38 13 Western Ky. (H) W 35-12 20 Western Mich. (A) * W 27-23 27 Illinois (A) L 28-17 11/3 Indiana (A) L 38-20 13 Toledo (H) * W 41-20 24 Northern Ill. (A) * W 27-21 INTERNATIONAL BOWL 1/5 Rutgers (6) L 52-30 2008 (12-2); MAC 8-0 (1st West) MAC West Champions All of these FACTS are available @ ballstatesports.com What facts did you check? Everything I listed were actual stats!!
azwolverine
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:15 a.m.
Buckeye, His Ball St. years were his first as a HC. He appears to have been learning on the job. In his last 5 years, he's had 4 winnning seasons and been coach of the year in three different leagues. At SDSU, he turned a 1-11 team into a 9-4 bowl winner within two years. At UM, he turned UM back into a 10 game winner, including smashing Nebraska and ending years of frustration against Ohio. And yes, he did win with the previous coach's recruits, something the previous coach could not do. And, when you consider how comprably poor the previous coach's recruiting classes were compared to what Hoke is doing now, he will do even better with better recruits. He was also smart enough to hire top-notch assistants on both sides of the ball. So, while Hoke certainly had a difficult learning curve at the beginning of his head coaching career, he's obviously learned. The results speak for themselves. He will be at Michigan for as long as he wants to be because he is a winner. If you want to worry about a coach being short term, focus on your own Urban Meyer who quit twice at Fl and went 8-5 without Tebow. The pressure is on him to win it all virtually every year. If he doesn't, the pressure will build and he will bail. I'll take our chances with Hoke.
Mick
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
1st off, thanks Donaz Hey Buckeye guy, I'm sure Ball St. was left littered with 4/5 star players after Lynch left, that's sarcasm btw. I know one thing for sure, everywhere Hoke went, the recruiting improved sharply. I have a feeling at a factory like U-M that the same will hold true, he's already proving that now. Why are so many trolls preoccupied with our sites?
Terry Star21
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
Good job Mick. Right on. I read with interest the buckeye input, then checked the facts. I don't know where in the world those fictional stats came from. Normally I laugh when someone tries to be funny - but this is sad, very sad.
7718
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.
Buckeye6574...You got those stats from their basketball team didn't you?
BUCKEYE6574
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
2003- 4-8 defense gave up 345 pts. 2004- 2-9 defense gave up 405 pts 2005- 4-7 defense gave up a school record 416 pts. 2006- 5-7 2007- 7-6 defense gave up 368 pts. 2008-12-2 lost QB Nate Davis and lost to Buffalo by 18 pts Hoke was at Ball State for 6 years and his defense in 5 of those years gave up 5 of the 10 most points scored against a Ball State defense(per season) in the history of their program. Bill Lynch was the coach before Hoke. 2000 5-6 2001 5-6 2002 6-6 I would not call this gosh awful ( I find the word you used abusive and offensive). 2009-4-8 366 pts against 2010 9-4 263 pts against He won with Rich Rod's players. He is an unproven coach and will be gone in less than 4 years. I thank Dave Brandon everyday for firing Rich Rod. He would have caused alot of problems for other Big Ten teams if he would have stayed.
DonAZ
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:17 a.m.
Amen ... nicely said. We have something special in Hoke. The good recruits will sense it and come to play here.
Jim Pryce
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
A great job coach. I know you always give credit to the kids, but you & your staff knew how to put those kids in a position to be successful. It must be rewarding to also win the very first Hayes-Schembechler trophy, which nobody else can ever accomplish.
Terry Star21
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
Congratulation Coach Brady Hoke - Our Champion ! Everything you said through everything you did was correct, helpful and a sheer 'touch of gold'. You changed lives, you built lives and you completed lives. You did so much for your student athletes, your team, your school, your football faithful, your city and our great state of MICHIGAN ! And number one above everything else - YOUR FAMILY, they must be busting with excitement and so proud of you for your work on MICHIGAN FOOTBALL. Now let's go south this January and enjoy the weather, our families and OUR MICHIGAN FOOTBALL. MgoBlueForBradyHoke......the players, the team, the family - the MICHIGAN FOOTBALL
quiet observer
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
Please, all, go to coachoftheyear.com and vote for Coach Hoke for national coach of the year.
7718
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:11 p.m.
I hope Hoke can enjoy this for awhile. The pressure to win another 10 games will be tough next year and in the future. Hopefully the UM fans will not be calling for his firing if he doesn't achieve his goals (10 wins and B10 championships) in the next few years.
DonAZ
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 4:29 a.m.
@7718 - "So you think it's okay for a former coach (and also an associate AD) to counsel Michigan athletes to leave?" When the incoming coach signals in no uncertain terms he's not interested in the particular talents of the player ... yes, perfectly okay to counsel a transfer. You see, that's the difference between thinking what's best for ME versus what's best for the player. Ryan Mallet would not have done well in Rodriguez's spread. He likely would have been benched. Now why would ANYONE counsel a talent like Mallet to sit on the bench? All Rodriguez had to do was go pro-set initially and evolve to read option. One simple concession to reality. He'd still be Michigan's coach. "I thought a major selling point about Michigan is also the academic experience and the education you get here. Obviously that's just rhetoric." Your word -- "major." Correct. "Major" does not equal "exclusive." Taking all factors into consideration, it certainly did make sense for Ryan Mallet to go elsewhere. Using hindsight that's clearly true.
unclefred
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
RRod demonstrated that for all his vaunted football brainpower he did not have the skill nor, apparently, the desire to modify his system to the talent at hand. That IMHO demonstrates a failure in coaching. My deepest regret is for the three senior classes who paid the price for his ego.
7718
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:27 a.m.
Those who stay will be champions.
7718
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:24 a.m.
DonAz, so you think it's okay for a former coach (and also an associate AD) to counsel Michigan athletes to leave? I thought a major selling point about Michigan is also the academic experience and the education you get here. Obviously that's just rhetoric.
DonAZ
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
He had Ryan Mallet on the roster. If Rodriguez had any reputation for flexibility ... if he had any credibility as an offensive coach for anything other than his read option spread ... Mallet would have stayed. But instead, Rodriguez makes it known his spread is the answer to all of life's problems and if Mallet wants to play he'd better learn Rodriguez's way or take the highway. Some criticize Carr for counseling Mallet to transfer. I think Carr did Mallet a favor. Lighting up the record books at Arkansas has done more for him than benchwarming at Michigan would have done.
Terry Star21
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:39 p.m.
Well, this is pretty funny; before the season started the naysayers said 'your Mighty Hoax will be lucky to win 5 games'. When we won 7, it was 'enjoy those 7 wins because ill,neb,osu will smoke you'. When we won 10 it was 'wait to next year, our team will be better and beat you'. The football faithful is just too strong for all the smack talk - we've heard it all before. Nice try though.
7718
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
You're correct about working with the talent on hand, the problem was that there wasn't much on hand. I don't think Nick Sheridan as a first year QB had much experience, I also don't think with all the other young players helped his cause. Things may have turned out differently if he had a more successful first year and had a few playmakers to help.
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:27 p.m.
A valid point ... but I think Hoke did something Rodriguez did not -- that is, he did not sweep in with the arrogance to think he could tear down the house and leave things a shambles while he tried to rebuild it in his image. The 3-9 record in 2008 really, really put the microscope to Rich Rodriguez. Had he done the sensible thing -- or, now, the Borges-thing -- and work with the talent on hand an evolve to his chosen offense he would gone 7 or 8 wins in 2008 and he would have enjoyed a great deal more goodwill. Hoke's 10-win season signals to everyone he's smart enough to know the key is to use what's in the cupboard to win football games. He'll recruit to his model and use what he can sign. The occasional down year will be understood. Horribly executed defensive plans and an offense that could not score against good defenses was not going to be understood and tolerated.
iamcris
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:02 p.m.
Ann Arbor stays classy with Coach Hoke. A true leader understands it's a coordinated effort and deflects accolades to the team recognizing their input to the sum of the equation. It's a tribute to the entire staff and it's commitment to Michigan football. I am grateful daily this coaching staff is in place.
Txmaizenblue
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.
I'll take a coach that has been Coach of the Year 3 times in 4 years in 3 different conferences ANY DAY - OVER sexy names like Urban Legend....err Meyer. I love it! ALL the pressure is on Urban to win and reproduce what he did in Florida. NEWSFLASH to the diluted Buckeye fan - this ain't Florida! I can't wait til Hoke humbles Mr. Meyer.
Lorain Steelmen
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1:10 a.m.
Tx, well said my man, well said!
MRunner73
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
Awesome job Coach Hoke. You made a big difference this year. Restoration is the word that descibes where this program is and where it came from. AA.com: Please delete the BUCKEYE 6574 comment, that is abuse as far as I'm concerned and is totally irrelevent.
7718
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:06 p.m.
Can't we all just get along?
BUCKEYE6574
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
How is that abuse? Surely you people from the everyone needs a hug, liberal capitol of the world-Ann Arbor have heard of free speech. What did I say that was abusive?
maizenbluedoc
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
Congratulations coach Hoke. You and your coaching staff deserve all the accolades you receive this year. I had some concern about your hire because of your previous W-L record, but you have made a total believer. The team has done a complete 180 turnaround this year with much promise in the coming years thanks to your recruiting. Again, well deserved congratulations.
Tally10
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
Well done Coach Hoke! Great job including all that were involved.
BUCKEYE6574
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 9:46 p.m.
How did Gary Moeller and Bo ever get hired to coach at Michigan? Neither one were your so called "Michigan Men/Man". Brady Hoke did a great job with all of Rich Rod's players.
mun
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
Hoke& Mattison actually coached Rich Rod's players to play defense, something Rich Rod didn't do.
Lorain Steelmen
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1:08 a.m.
Buckeye6574, why yes, I actually DID know that Moeller was a captain at ohio. About '62 or thereabouts...So what? IMHO, Moeller was a very good coach. Not in Bo's league, but still a great MICHIGAN man. He grew to love this school, and helped build it's traditions of excellence. I doubt YOU know, that it was Moeller, that hired Hoke, in '95, not Carr. And it was Hoke and Mattison that played a key role, as assistant coaches, in the Wolverines' DOMINATION of ohio throughout the 90's. Sadly, Mattison/Hoke both left in 2001/02, and Carr's teams lost that 'intensity', that had been carried on, from Bo. Now that Hoke and Mattison ARE back, the 'intensity' is also back. And I KNOW, YOU know, that it won't matter WHO the coach at ohio is, or how many recruiting violations he incurs, or illegal player incentives he creates, Ohio, will NOT be beating UM, any time soon.
Terry Star21
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
It just seems that we get a lot of flack/smack talk from the fans up north and down south when we lose or when we win. It must be very painful to them either way, I mean; "...Michigan Grad, arrogant and uninformed.." - seriously, what is this third grade ? The pain must be just horrible for them to come on our site and show just how immature they are. Tragic yes.
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
"You must be a Michigan graduate. Arrogant and uninformed. " Actually, no ... another school. And thank you for your gracious and kind words ... they are heartfelt and I am honored to receive them. "Urban Meyers success will have alot to do with Jim Tressel." No question about that at all ... but you didn't specify a timeframe. Rodriguez was Michigan's coach last year with Hoke this year. Fickell was your coach this year and Meyer next. The logic is consistent. "You do know that Gary Moeller was a captain at Ohio State." I didn't ... but what does it matter? How is that fact germane to the general argument? Your original comment was how Moeller ever got hired at Michigan. The answer was he was an assistant to Bo Schembechler. That he was at one point a player at OSU is irrelevant to the originally stated question. "It seems to me all of your great "Michigan Men" are originally from Ohio." That's absolutely true. Ohio is a more populous state than is Michigan. Ohio has a really great high school football tradition. A lot of great players come from Ohio. So too do a lot of great coaches. It's known as the "cradle of coaches" for a reason. Your argument seems to be that a "Michigan Man" must be one from Michigan, but that's never been suggested anywhere but in your mind. Being a "Michigan Man" is really more an issue of how the mind is oriented towards hard work, perseverance, teamwork and tradition. Someone can be from Mars and be a "Michigan Man" provided he hold to those ideals.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
Bucko...The fact is, these great players and coaches fled that accursed land for the land of milk and honey, i.e., (that means, "that is") Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. They all found it to be so far superior to o o o that they became Michigan through and through. BTW, we gave up trying to get a bridge over o o o and started going to Florida by going west and taking I-69 south to Florida. It's 50 miles farther, takes 8 minutes more to drive, and guess what! It bypasses o o o. We love it. Go Blue!
7718
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
Is Justin Boren still considered a Michigan Man because Carr talked him into transferring?
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:15 p.m.
I know you don't intend your comment as anything more than juvenile provocation. Yet I'll answer as if you're worthy of a sincere response. Schembechler's hire was in fact met with considerable skepticism. Rather than already being a "Michigan Man," Schembechler in many ways created the concept and coined the term. Gary Moeller was of course an assistant coach under Schembechler. And assistant coaches are often brought in from outside the program, where the values and traditions of the program shape them into "Michigan Men." By your logic Urban Meyer's success in 2012 -- to whatever degree he attains it -- is entirely the credit of Fickell.
Brad
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:15 p.m.
If so he did better with RR's players than RR was ever able to do. And without a gray ethics cloud always following him around. Congrats, coach!
7718
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
Brady Hoke will restore the tradition of beating Ohio STATE, something that was lost with Lloyd Carr.
miZigan
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
He should make a tree of the people involved and pass the award around like the Stanley Cup.
7718
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 9:33 p.m.
Surpassed expectations? Going into the season he should have at least 8 or 9 games. Coach Hoke says himself that the expectations are to win a Big Ten title. With that being said, he had a very good season and hope he can build on it in the future.
unclefred
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:17 a.m.
7718: Let it rest. I don't know why you are so unwilling to acknowledge greatness when it stares you in the face, but fairly this was a great coaching job. A complete turn around like this is more than just having the players. It's coaching, pure and simple. Look no farther than the way the players feel about this coaching staff. Take off the hair shirt man and enjoy success. It's been far too long.
7718
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
Luckily he had the players he could rebuild with. Regarding beating OSU with all their players back...I didn't see Pryor on the field. I wish Hoke luck in the future because as you know, if he gets a few losses he'll be criticized just as Rodriguez and Carr were criticized. The fans at UM demand success and the rope is short.
azwolverine
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
Yes, surpassed expectations. While Hoke's expectations are for the B10 title, I don't know of anyone (outside of Hoke and his staff) who actually expected them to get this close. And, with victories over a highly ranked ND squad in Brian Kelley's second year (in only Hoke's second game), a blowout victory over B10 favorite Nebraska, beating Ohio when they had all of their players back (virtually the same two teams that met when the Bucks shellacked UM 37-7 last season), and not getting blown out by anyone a year removed from 6 ten + point losses...they EMPHATICALLY SURPASSED EXPECTATIONS!!! Even if you feel they should have won "8 or 9 games"...they won 10!!! Even by your definition they surpassed expectations. I do agree with you that they now have a solid foundation on which to build, but it is due to the great job coach Hoke and his staff did this year in rebuilding this team from the ground up.
aareader
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
What did he do to deserve it? Oh yeah.... Won ten games, beat "Ohio" after a 7 year drought, created fierce loyalty with his players.... and fans, talked with just about anyone about football, recruited some great future Wolverines. and ... and ... the list continues to grow! GO Blue!
Unknown
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
Congrats!!
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Good for Coach Hoke. In the interview with him on MGoBlue.com he does as we'd expect -- immediately give credit to others and the players. I don't think that is false humility ... I think that's just the way this guy is wired. Which is fantastic. Hoke has done wonders being a "rebuilding coach" ... Ball State, then SDSU, now Michigan. As he said, he's going nowhere ... he's "home" coaching-wise. Now he transitions into "maintain and strengthen coach" ... and it will be interesting to see how he does. I predict good things.
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.
2008 - Ball State, MAC Coach of the Year 2009 - SDSU, no award 2010 - SDSU, MWC Coach of the Year 2011 - Michigan, Big 10 Coach of the Year Three out of four years.
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
you were correct Don. What is this 3 out of 4 years?
jeff blue
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
Very big and well deserved honor. Things will only get better as Brady gets his own players.
Blu-dogg97
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
Hoke also was the Mountain West Coach of the Year at San Diego State last season and the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year at Ball State in 2008. So, he's won coach of the year honors three times in four years. There seems to be a pattern here !! Great Job Brady,and Dave Brandon... GO BLUE..
Blu-dogg97
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
no not at all 7718 & Don az.. simply meant there a pattern of success with Brady ! he won coach of the yr 3 out of 4 yrs,in 3 different conferences..
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:32 p.m.
Nope ... Hoke is here to stay as long as Michigan will have him ... which implies 10+ years, maybe more.
7718
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
Are you saying the pattern is leaving the school after only a couple years? Hope not.
Bill
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
Congratulations, you have restored pride to the football program at U of M and the performance of the players and your coaching staff make this ovious. You are a true team leader and U of M is fortunate to have you as head football coach.
RWBill
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:39 p.m.
Hoke and Change! Well deserved, Brady and staff and players.
MjC
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
Hoke did an aMAIZEing job this year - he deserves this well earned recognition! Go Blue!
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
Congrats also to Dave Brandon. He made a terribly difficult decision to bring Hoke to Michigan, and took (and continues to take) flak about the decision. Good job, Dave! Good job, Coach Hoke!
Sallyxyz
Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:27 a.m.
Yes, Brandon is paid the big bucks to make tough decisions. That's why he was hired, to fire RR and hire a new coach who would be successful. He did it well and Brady is here to stay. Go blue!!
unclefred
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:08 a.m.
I suspect the flak is rather diminished of late. He's paid to make hard choices and deal with the consequences. Still I agree congrats Mr. Brandon, a fantastic choice in which you should take pride.
7718
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.
What aboutGoss and Amaker?
azwolverine
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
Brandon and Hoke...Canham and Schembechler.
Mick
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
Also, I'm so glad he beat out Dantonio for the award, that guy is always making snide remarks, particularly towards U-M. Yesterday I heard say how he thought that the 2 best teams are definitely in Indy to play Saturday, funny, how would he know that since we didn't play Wisconsin, so again, how would he know for sure?
blueiniowa
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.
Now c'mon man. I love to bust on Dantonio like the next Michigan Man, but what kind of bulletin board material would that have made had he not acknowledged wisky as one of the best two? It would have been crazy for him to say otherwise.
Wally the Wolverine
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
"funny, how would he know that since we didn't play Wisconsin, so again, how would he know for sure?" Perhaps he gauged his comments on his squad's experience playing both teams. Wisky gave them a way tougher game than we did - that is a fact. We shouldn't use Hoke's award to diminish someone else.
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
Not to mention what I suspect will be a different game with Wisconsin than the game earlier this year.
1st Down
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
Dantonio is the type of person who has to make himself feel better by tearing others down behind their backs. A snide little man who's time at the top will soon be over now that This is Michigan again.
Chelsea Larry
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
As the video says before the game, "This is Michigan for God's sake!" Congatulations Coach!
Mick
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
3 out of 4 years is mega impressive. Not many coaches can claim that. The coolest thing about Coach Hoke is how he deflects credit to other people, what a classy and gracious guy he is. He builds winners is what he does and surrounds himself with great people, his players talk like they would run through walls for him. The man is a flat out winner, I'm so happy to have him as our coach. The future is bright as ever, for example, he greatly improved 2 programs that were mired in mediocrity or down right bad football. Now he's at a program that he loves and will be here a long time, so just imagine what he'll accomplish in AA with that foundation. Go Blue!!!
unclefred
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.
Well said Ghost!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
He deflects credit, Mick, and takes on all responsibility. That is one of the many traits he has that defines him as a true Michigan Man. Good Night and Good Luck
Bob Martel
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.
Well deserved!
discgolfgeek
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.
And so many people on here questioned his hiring! Congrats !!
1st Down
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 7:58 p.m.
Interesting that Coach Hoke played for Dave McClain at Ball State and considers him a coaching mentor so the award is appropriately named... and his two other major coaching influences in Bo and Woody are also represented in the name of the trophy. Congrats to Coach Hoke. He deserves the honor.
ted
Thu, Dec 1, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
Michigan Men like 1st down and me always love what Hoke and Borges say. The reason why is because Hoke and Borges themselves are Michigan Men. My wife finds it interesting that Michigan Men like us are affected in ways by Coach Hoke and Borges in a way that we have never been affected by men before.
GoBlue1984
Wed, Nov 30, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
Well done coach! Now the voters need to give Mattison the Broyle's award because he has MORE than earned it.