John Hoke, father of Michigan football coach Brady Hoke, dies
John Hoke is interviewed after a press conference last January announcing his son, Brady, as the new Michigan football coach.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
John Hoke cried throughout the news conference that introduced his son as the Michigan football team's head coach 14 months ago.
Now, it is Brady Hoke's turn to shed a tear -- this one in mourning -- after John Hoke died Monday. He was 80.
A program spokesman said no further details are being released at this time.
"A sad time for Michigan athletics," athletic director Dave Brandon tweeted Tuesday night. "Our prayers & condolences to Brady, Laura, Kelly & the entire Hoke family."
John Hoke played football at Miami (Ohio) for Woody Hayes before Hayes went on to become the coach at Ohio State.
John Hoke and his wife, Patricia, raised four children in their home in Kettering, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. Two are in football, with Brady Hoke the head coach at Michigan and Jon Hoke an assistant with the Chicago Bears.
The couple also had two daughters, Terre Manning and Heidi Thomas.
Brady Hoke was scheduled to speak Wednesday night at a benefit dinner hosted by the Michigan student club Appreciate and Reciprocate. Event organizer Mark Wilhelm said he has not heard a definitive answer whether Hoke would still attend, but was told "don't plan on him being there."
Hoke was at Michigan's practice Tuesday at Schembechler Hall, said one attendee. The team is off Wednesday before beginning a three-day stretch of workouts Thursday.
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
Claudia
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
My deepest sympathy for your loss. My heart goes out to you and yours as this is all too frequent for all of us. Too many losses, but remember, the pain you are feeling is because you were so blessed to have someone in your life that meant so much. So many memories. Let them pull you through. Claudia
AdmiralMoose
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 11:44 p.m.
My thoughts are with you, Brady. May you find peace.
riverraisin
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.
I too offer my condolences to the Hoke family. Both my parents succumbed to cancer, as well as the majority of my Aunts and Uncles. My wife is a recent cancer survivor. Advances in medicine are being made every day to beat this disease. John Hoke lives on in the hearts and minds of his family and the extended Michigan family.
goldenblue
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 5:26 p.m.
God speed John Hoke. You truly have a special son in Brady.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
This is truly sad news. My sincere condolences to Brady Hoke and his family.
Blue1st
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
Rest In Peace, Sir. May God be with you and family.
justcurious
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
This is sad news. I'm not a sport's fan, but I do know how much it hurts to lose your dad. I wish them peace.
missionbrazil
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Hoke and his family. Cancer is a terrible disease, and it has affected most families in one way or other. By God's grace, my wife and my Mom are both cancer survivors. My wife's Mom and my uncle passed away from cancer. Make the most of your life ... it goes by so quickly.
ArthGuinness
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
I concur, the man must have been doing something right. Peace be with him now.
msddjohston
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.
My deepest sympathy to the family of Coach Hoke and family on the passing of his father, John. Hoke, you have miles to go! GO BLUE! Your avid sports observer, Dawn D. Johnston
chuck
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 12:59 p.m.
RIP
dexterreader
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 12:21 p.m.
Condolences to him and his family. This is a time to put aside the "job" for a bit and be just a "son" for a while. Still, the "Blue" family is behind you!
AMaizing_Blue
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 11:44 a.m.
Rest in peace Mr. John Hoke For today goodbye, for tomorrow good luck, forever Go Blue.
GeeWhiz
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hoke family during this difficult time.
Mick
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 4:47 a.m.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the Hoke Family. Mr. John Hoke must've been a great man to raise such an outstanding son like Brady and the rest of his siblings. Hopefully the family can take solace in knowing their dad won't have to suffer any longer. I lost my mom to cancer and it is indeed a wicked killer. Go Blue & Go Medicine! Find a cure soon please!
Scott Laux
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 4:44 a.m.
John Hoke was a fine man to have raised such an honorable son. How wonderful that he was here to see his son rise to his life's dream. RIP John and condolences to the whole Hoke family from the Michigan alumni and fans.
Jim Pryce
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 3:24 a.m.
Thoughts & Prayers for the Hoke family.
umgoblue47
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 2:53 a.m.
my thoughts and prayers are with coach HOKE and his family. . .GO BLUE!!!!!!
Steve McQueen
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 2:44 a.m.
My condolences to the Hoke family. Cancer is not cool. It doesnt negotiate and doesnt discriminate, it hits us all one way or another. Brady's dad was the link from Coach Hayes and Brady knew Bo from being an assistant here. He was able to be mentored by those two legendary coaches and is shows with him being an excellent coach. Coach Hoke is even more gracious than Bo or Woody were to the media, and is always a class act in crediting others for the successes that he has had at Michigan. RIP Mr. Hoke Sr.. Go Blue.
GoBigBlue
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 2:40 a.m.
Condolences to coach Hoke and his family.
azwolverine
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 2:08 a.m.
God Bless Coach Hoke and his entire family.
Hot Sam
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 1:53 a.m.
Our deepest condolences coach...RIP
DB
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 1:23 a.m.
Rest In Peace Father John. Michigan fam with love. GO BLUE
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 1:12 a.m.
To the Hoke family, or most families, at a time like this, no words will help. No thoughts will lessen the loss, or ease the passing. As a parent you can only do you best and hope it is good enough. As a dad with a son, my goal is to do prepare him for the successes and the failures he will undoubtably find through out his life. Mr. Hoke, the elder, hopefully realized some years ago that he was successful in shaping his son to achieve a honorable station in life and for however briefly he knew, it was with him at the end, and will mark his life well spent and worthy of a lasting peace.