Michigan coach Brady Hoke says there is no Big Ten gentlemen's agreement; Dantonio, Bielema disagree
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer answers questions during a signing day press conference in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday. Meyer caused a stir within the Big Ten after flipping several recruits from rival schools.
AP Photo
There sure is a lot of animosity in the air, for a league with a supposed agreement among gentlemen.
Welcome aboard, Urban.
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema has called the recruiting tactics of new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer "illegal," citing a so-called "gentlemen's agreement" that Big Ten coaches will not recruit players who have verbally committed to another league school.
Bielema told Sporting News that Badgers athletic director Barry Alvarez would be talking to Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney today in Chicago about Meyer's tactics.
However, Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Thursday night in an interview with an Ohio TV station that there isn't a gentlemen's agreement.
"As far as I’ve known, it’s always been fair game until they sign," said Hoke, who's been in the league one year as a head coach and seven as an assistant. "I don’t have as much a problem with that and, hopefully, we don’t get too many of those that go away from you.
"But, I don’t think there needs to be an agreement, to be honest with you. Kids are going to be kids. They’re 18 years old, 17 years old. As long as everything has been handled in an ethical manner and professional manner, and by the rules, I don’t have a problem with it."
Michigan's recruiting class is fourth according to Scout and sixth according to Rivals. Ohio State's is third and fourth, respectively.
Hoke poached one Ohio State recruit in five-star offensive lineman Kyle Kalis, who experienced backlash in the state for his decision. Meyer has not flipped a Michigan recruit -- yet.
He's flipped several others, though. In fact, eight of his first 10 recruits at Ohio State had verbally committed to other schools.
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio lost his top prospect, defensive lineman Se'Von Pittman, to Meyer. The Spartans' recruiting class has since fallen to 36th in the country according to Scout and 39th according to Rivals.
"(Ohio State has) a new coach, and it's different," Dantonio told the Detroit News. "I would say it's pretty unethical, in the end."
Bielema echoed those sentiments after losing prized offensive lineman Kyle Dodson to Ohio State on signing day.
“There are a few things that happened early on that I made people aware of that I didn’t want to see in this league, that I had seen take place in other leagues,” Bielema said on Wednesday. “Other recruiting tactics, other recruiting practices that are illegal.
“I was very up front and was very pointed to the fact, actually reached out to Coach Meyer and shared my thoughts and concerns with him. The situation got rectified.”
Meyer responded to the swirling criticism Friday morning, according to fan site the OZone. He seemed unfazed by the kerfuffle.
"You're pissed because we went after a committed guy?" he said at the Ohio High School coaches clinic. "Guess what? We got nine guys who better go do it again. Do it a little harder next time."
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
D21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
Correction: "What will you do when the NCAA interview you again to present their allegations that you are lying to them, a la Tressel?"
D21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
Recently hacked confidential interview between Urby the Myth and Gordon "Bow Tie" Gee: GEE: Welcome to Columbus, Mr Meyer and this interview consists of only one question due to your *ahem* unscrupulous SEC background which truly appeals to the rest of us in here. URBY: It's great to be here. This ultra SEC type environment here fits me the moment I stepped (slithered upon) on this campus. GEE: Wunderbar. The question is, "What will you do when the NCAA interview you again to contest the allegation that you are lying to them, a la Tressel?" URBY: Easy, I'd blame it on anyone else, even you Mr Gee. GEE (abruptly standing up and bowing down to Urby): Mr Meyer, you are officially hired and please do not fire me. *The moral of the story is there are no moral values down in C-bus*
D21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
Correction: "What will you do when the NCAA interview you again to present their allegations that you are lying to them, a la Tressel?"
D21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.
Mgoblue, Liked that "urbanblight" phrase.
knotch
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
Did anyone think Anything would change regarding OSU.... look Her'bin doesn't have that, Slick SEC academics.
David
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:59 p.m.
I think we have all gone a little insane here. These kids (i.e Jordan Diamond) and the rest are getting 6 months vacation time to travel state to state, travel expenses, meals, games, etc., all paid for by the Universities trying to recruit them. It's not fair to those paying for tuition, it's not fair to the coaches who have to travel cross country to do a sales pitch on the companies dime. This has to stop. They get a phone call and ONE official visit. Not four or five. Then say "Look kid, this is it. Full ride. You want it or not?"
D21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
Good points!
4Bells
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 1:01 p.m.
Especially after the shenanigans of the Rich Rod debacle, and the Tressel tattoo travesty at Ohio, I love the way Coach Hoke continues to choose the high road and maintain the integrity that is too often missing from big time NCAA football - recruiting & otherwise. Yost, Crisler, Oosterbaan, Elliott, Shembechler, Carr . . . Hoke.
4Bells
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.
OK, Moeller coulda', shoulda', woulda' . . . I love the guy, so he's in & I stand corrected. That other guy though - betcha' a buckeye there's more trouble in the wind - another Neuheisel . . .
TheWay
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 5:30 a.m.
Moeller... Rodriguez... whether you like it or not.
A2lover
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 11:40 a.m.
Urban Meyer has never been very ethical, why think he'd start now. However, this is sports, everyone is fair game until a contract is signed, and even then players might even jump ship and go elsewhere. It's the nature of the beast. And when all is said and done, although college football is way out of hand, it's still only kids playing football on a Saturday afternoon. If you don't get Bill got your team, Jimmy can play.
RJ12688
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 8:25 a.m.
Hoke seems to always say the right things. Let MSU and UW cry because given a year or two neither will be relevant anyway.
umgoblue47
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 4:10 a.m.
MICK52. . . i agree with you that meyer LIED on national tv during the MICHIGAN-nebraska game. . . SOME THINGS JUST DON'T CHANGE!! coach HOKE diden't poach KALIS from ohio. . . KALIS saw the urbanblight becoming c-bus and took the higher road to MICHIGAN!! GO BLUE!!!!!!
Hebner
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 3 a.m.
Meyer can do what he wants and we will just look at him and say, 'is that all you got'. We are not fazed...we are Michigan. See you in November, and do not forget to rest your boys before we get there. Pipkins will be having a Miller during the game...its Miller time!!! Ohio cannot not go bowling, what a shame...Mr. Nice Guy in the vest left a few things for Urban...Go Blue! Urban will probably wear a jacket! whats up with that? our coach wears a short sleeve shirt no matter the temperature. Real men wear blue!
mun
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 2:28 a.m.
Hey Albee, do you have any other talking points besides below 500 and fat jokes?
Ted
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:55 a.m.
You know, using the same "joke" multiple times does get a little bit old. And as the saying goes, those who make fun of others often do it because they have problems of their own. Who's to say you aren't overweight like Coach Hoke?
Albee Macaw
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
Yes he can get away w/ a short sleeved shirt in cold weather because of all the added layers he has built in. I wonder what a highly tuned, fit athlete thinks of the Jokester when they see his size in person? Maybe something like toss in a salad.
john
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 2:25 a.m.
I would love to have the kleenex contract for Dantonio. He's always crying about something. Instead of sitting around crying all day he should try to do something more positive for their team.
manbearpig
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 7:07 p.m.
i wouldn't knowing i still had rush and gholston at the ends
Hebner
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 3:01 a.m.
I would cry too if I lost Worthy.
Albee Macaw
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 2:19 a.m.
Wow sounds like Joke uses the same tactics that the Urbanator uses and michigan fan labeled as snake. Guess Joke is just a much fatter snake. Nice of Joke to give Urb some backing. The true Joke that let his team at SDSU know w/ a text that he was leaving is starting to come through. Boy has Michigan fan changed their tune since Brady (toss in a diet coke) Joke backed Urb. Kind of hypocritical. He knows if he has ANY chance against Urb he needs to fight firer w/ firer. It will not matter as in the long run the 500 coach in Joke will surface like the 834 coach in Meyer will come to the surface.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
You leave out that Hoke told the AD at SD State he would leave if he ever got the chance to go (back to) Michigan. So the notification WAS established long before Michigan hired him. As for his ".500 record" - you're just being disingenuous. ALL the top college coaches serve apprenticeships with backwater programs and those programs don't have top level teams - no matter WHAT the potential of the head coach may be. Hoke's head coaching career really STARTED when he came to Michigan and he has a .750 record in his first season. Unlike Suburban Meyer, Hoke never got the chance to cherry pick his next job when he spotted ALREADY solid top-tier teams he could just take over. Hoke's Job: take a sub-100th level team and in one season make it a top 20 team. Suburban's Job: take an obviously top 20 team and just keep it from sinking out of sight.
RJ12688
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 8:21 a.m.
Do you have anything else to say except Hoke was a .500 coach BEFORE he came to UM..? We already know, and dont care. Winning 11 games in year one destroyed any lingering doubts for most. Better hope Meyer does get too stressed out again, or he may need some more "family" time. "Joke" 1 OSU 0
TcFlint
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 2 a.m.
Although I think it is true that Urban Meyer has all the traits of a slippery SEC recruiter, I still like the way Brady Hoke has handled this and has got 25 great commits to be Michigan Wolverines.
XTR
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 12:49 a.m.
Sneaking up on a recruit that has verbally committed is a bit "ungentlemanly" but all is fair in love and war as they say. Meyer is just doing things to beef up his program. If it is okay for Dantonio to order dirty play or to play players from jail then there should be nothing wrong with sneaking up on recruits. Hoke should watch out because from now on Meyer could get players like Shane. Years ago even after LaVell B committed to UM, he was still offered by Coach K hehe
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.
It's worth pointing out that the two coaches complaining and flinging "charges" are both from 2nd tier B1G schools. Dantonio got only 17 recruits this year. He got a few 4-star recruits, far fewer than Michigan or Ohio. So naturally he's hot because his puny total could have been 18 (adding one more 4-star in the process). And- if Dantonio had any "gentleman's agreement" - it was with his BFF, Jim Tressel, not a big name like Urban Meyer. Bielema: has made quite a few questionable comments since becoming head coach at Wisconsin. I think of him as a "talker" but not much of a thinker. And Wisconsin too is always "a little short" except when recruiting running backs. Neither of these schools can sustain long term dominance and they don't have the huge reputation of either Ohio or Michigan. Compared to Michigan, Ohio and Penn State: these two programs are "modest" at best when looking at facilities, records, recognition or -- class. Coach Hoke is just being realistic - while keeping classy as is fitting here at Michigan. I also think he knows the rules better than some B1G coaches and can "play them" as well as play BY them. This story got started when SI picked up on the exchange between U. Meyer and B. Bielema earlier in the day. AA.com naturally sprang into action to pick up on this "tempest."
goldenblue
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
lil bro is in denial.
manbearpig
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.
If as your second post claim's that dantonio was trying to skirt the recruiting rules/practices by packing a class then why would he be "hot because [of] his puny total?" Your arguments do not mesh.
manbearpig
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.
Even if i were to agree witht he logic of your response, then it makes your first post seem dumb. WHich reason is it then, he padded his class or he couldn't recruit enough people. It isn't padding a class, because , as i explained once, you do not know who is going to stay or go, get hurt, etc. etc. But hey choose whatever argument you want. How is this a strategy to catch up for michigan. His class from last year hasn't even played and he has a co b!G, and legends division championships in the last two years. I guess he packed those seinor classes too? I do not mind Michigan. I just hate irrational michigan fans that think they know everything and and that the college football world revolves around Michigan. Hoke has a chance at the kids in last years MSU class. Let me guess your next argument is going to be that michigan has higher entry standards
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
@genetracy: You've not been keeping up with the news the past 4 years. Michigan "humiliated itself" with a botched choice of head coach. Everyone (but you, apparently) knows that meant 3 years of worst-ever season records. So MSU "humiliated" Michigan just "one year in a row" - Hah! Even then, it was only because Hoke could only work on improving defense as a priority last year and he had to let the offensive line struggle with what they had. Dantonio used a short term strategy, Michigan uses a long term strategy: meaning - MSU faux "days of glory" are ending and Sparty will be 2nd tier for the indefinite future BEHIND Michigan.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.
@manbearpig: Lets see now, I'm supposed to have "jumped to a conclusion" because I'm "not aware" of scholarship rules - is that it? Dantonio used a strategy to catch up w/ Michigan and Ohio - when HE was aware that there was this downside to packing one class and then riding it - isn't that right? Most would say that's a desperation strategy - which worked just when Michigan hit its lowest point ever. That still makes MSU a second tier B1G program. Those scholly rules , you know, are designed to discourage such practices.
genetracy
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
Well TruBlu, "second tier" MSU has humiliated your beloved wolves the last four years. The Big 10 handed you a soft schedule last season where you did not have to play Wisconsin. If you had, you would have lost by 20 and complained about the Badgers playing "too rough".
manbearpig
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
You do realize that Dantonio's class is small because he doesn't have many scholarships to give??? Nope you just figure d that was all he could get and jumped to a conclusion. THis is not the sec where you grey shirt guys or cut people from scholarship. MSU only played one guy from last year's recruiting class and red shirted the rest. Just so you realize college football has a limit of 85 scholarships and you can only hand out 30 to one recruiting class. So now i want you to ponder what happens when you red shirt guy's and they are around for five years. Thats right if everyone stayed 5 years that is only 15 scholarships per year. Obviously some guys leave, go pro, get hurt, etc. etc. But part of the size of recruiting classes has to do with how many people you have under scholarship already. (again there is no grey shirting in the big ten like the sec.)
Ricardo Queso
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 4:32 a.m.
Put a sock in the arrogance already!
Halter
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 11:59 p.m.
Seriously, who cares? These are 17 and 18 year old boys and they are going to do whatever they want, go wherever they think they have to study the least and eventually make the most money playing professional ball, and they seriously don't care if there is any type of "gentlemen's agreement" among adult coaches or not...anyone who thinks that recruitment and the school kids pick is about the best place to be a "student athlete" is sorely wrong...
Hailmary
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
Also, one other point about this particular issue. These types of college football recruitment wars or if you like, raiding each others recruitment is nothing new and has been going on as long as I remember which I hate to admit is a good many years. With the advent of ESPN, computers and cell phones it has simply gotten more boisterous.
tim
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
Time will tell who will win the recruiting wars. Something tells me that Meyer won't last in the long run considering his past health problems ( lots of pressure at OSU).
D21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
Hate to tell you, but there is mounting evidence against your PUNY allegation(s). :)
goldenblue
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
Hate to tell you but he hasnt beat Michigan yet.
Ted
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:52 a.m.
Hate to tell you, but he hasn't won a game at OSU yet. Wait for the season to start before tooting your own horn.
Albee Macaw
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 3:44 a.m.
Hate to tell you but Urb already won. #3 in the country. Get used to it.
Ricardo Queso
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
The problem is that a scholarship spot was being held for that individual. Further, this whole charade is beginning to look like draft day for the NBA. Way too much hype, too much TV coverage and too many "put the hat on" stunts. Nice job OSU. Thank you for inculcating the Big 10 with an SEC level of class.
leaguebus
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.
You can be sure that everyone is going to watch the OSU program like a Hawk, considering what has been going on down there. Urban will have to mind his p's and q's for a while. But, with Urban in place, its obviously "game on" for the Big Ten. Brady seems to be doing just fine, must be he hasn't learned all the "Gentlemans Agreements" , yet.
81wolverine
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
Beilema needs to clarify what he means by "illegal", otherwise he needs to clam up. There's no Big Ten rule against going after players who are verbally committed to other schools, as Coach Hoke has pointed out. Beilema is probably just mad about his lousy recruiting class - ranked 9th in the Big Ten. Not too hot for a team that was in the Rose Bowl last year. But IF Meyer is doing anything shady or wrong, it will eventually come back to bite him.
MRunner73
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
They don't call him Graucho-Mark in these parts for nothing. He'll have a lot more the frown about in the future if all goes Maize and Blue. As for Bielema, good luck complaining to B1G Commish Jim Delaney. Can you say "Deaf Ears"? I didn't know either one of these fellows are known as nice guys, gentlemen-like. Not!!
goldenblue
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
Stop your giving me chest pains.
Justice4all
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
SHHHHHH! Don't tell anyone but recruiting means nothing without good coaching. And who has the best coacing staff top to bottom in the Big Ten? This is just the start of great things to come. GO BLUE!!!
mun
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 6:04 a.m.
"but none of this year can be attributed to Hoke's recruiting." As if Rich Rod were the coach, the results would have been the same. NOT!
TheWay
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 5:29 a.m.
@mun but none of this year can be attributed to Hoke's recruiting. We'll see how he really is at it in the seasons to come.
mun
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 2:23 a.m.
@Albee, apparently that "below 500" record didn't stop Hoke from going 11-2 and beating ohio state and winning the Sugar Bowl. Sour grapes anyone?
Albee Macaw
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 4:38 a.m.
Well good luck finding one because Joke was a below 500 coach prior to arriving up north. And that was in the AAA of college ball.
81wolverine
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
You're absolutely right that good coaching makes the biggest difference. Having talented athletes definitely helps. But good coaches turn 3 star H.S. players into all conference or even All Americans. It's also about getting the RIGHT players for your system and not just loading up on 4 and 5 star players to boost your program's national ranking.
The Black Stallion3
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
Michigan sure picked the right man to be their coach............Mr. Hoke has class.
Justice4all
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
This is just the tip of the iceberg...Urban was one of the best recruiters in the SEC. Nuff said. And for those that don't know, that's no compliment. You better believe that this will play out on the practice field, in the locker room and when it's game time. Never liked Ohio and this just adds to the bulletin board. WI, MSU, Ohio, UofM toss in Nebraska and a little extra "hatred" and you've got a helluva battle each year of the Big Ten. One more thing...if they are competing like this on the recruiting trail, it will only make the entire league better. Step your game up.
Doug
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
I hate that school south of here. But, the kids Meyer got were committed to other schools before he came to O**. Urban Meyer is one of the best coaches in college football and that's why they changed their minds.
johnnya2
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
I put these types of agreements in the same category as the "unwritten rules" If it is a rule, why not write it down, otherwise it is not a rule of any sort. It is a dream. Kids that verbally commit are not property. In fact., I think the whole idea behind "signing with a school is silly. ANY other student who is offered admission to the U can accept anytime they want AND can change their mind the day before move in. Yet athletes who say something junior year are supposed to be held to some standard based on new evidence. The fact that Dantonio goes into Ohio and recruits says he lied to players in the past. He said come to OSU, it is the best school in the world, and now that his employment has changed, he says MSU is the best school. He says it to the same players.
chiro19
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
Now we all know where Kirt Cousans gets his whinning from! Keep on fighting the good fight "little bro". As for Wiscy, who cares. They will never win a big game (bowl) with Bielema as their coach. Integrity is a big thing with highschool coaches, players, and parents and Hoke shows it continuously with not saying negatives about other schools! He does not need to. The pro's of going to Michigan outweigh any negative attack on anyother school! Go Blue!!! little bro sucks!
genetracy
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.
Yeah munny. Like you Tru Blu fans never slam other programs.
mun
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 6:02 a.m.
"if the two teams played, the game would have been over by the end of the first quarter." Ah yes, ifs and buts, the sound of loser talk. Like Brady Hoke said, if you have to slam other programs, yours has nothing to offer.
genetracy
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 5:13 a.m.
Oh, 1998. The year of UM's fake national championship. They tied with Nebraska that year and honestly, if the two teams played, the game would have been over by the end of the first quarter. Nebraska was a powerhouse in 1998 and like this year, UM played a weak schedule in a weak Big 10. The Big 12 at the time was the toughest conference in the country.
mun
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.
@genetracy, no matter what you say, the 2012 Sugar Bowl IS a BCS bowl game and Michigan DID WIN the game. The record books are do not care about style points. U-M's last Rose Bowl win was 1/1/98 and they won the national championship. How many has Wisconsin won since then?
genetracy
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
Well Ted, the Sugar bowl could have picked a number of teams that would have played a better game than UM and VT. The game was decided by a thrid string kicker for VT who could not kick a football into the ocean. Oh, the drama. The game was a sorry excuse for a BCS bowl game.
Ted Bundy
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
Ok genetracy... who should have been in the Sugar Bowl over Michigan and VT? Kansas state? please... Boise St? please... Who else? (crickets)
RudeJude
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.
In the BCS era, Michigan has two BCS wins (Wins over Alabama in '00 or '01 in the Orange Bowl and VaTech in the Sugar Bowl this season) and a total of five BCS appearances. Michigan beat the defending national champs and Heisman winner, Tim Tebow, in the Gator Bowl in 2008. But I guess it really comes down to how you define "big bowl." Their last Rose Bowl win was in the 1997 season (January 1, 1998) the year before the BCS began, where Michigan won the AP National Title.
genetracy
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
When was the last "big bowl" game UM won? And please don't say this year's Sugar Bowl. Neither team had any business in a BCS bowl. And besides, at least Wisconsin has won in the Rose Bowl. When was UM's last Rose Bowl win? 1979?
nowayjose
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
Says the guy who's only been a head coach in the big 10 for one year.
knotch
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
Sound more like a man than Beilema.
boo
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
go get the best players and quit whining. recruit all the way to signing day. until the ink is dry, it isn't official.
Hailmary
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.
Take a school like ohio and try to weigh the circumstances of this particular issue. ohio has dominated the Big 10 for several years facts be known they, ohio were just light years ahead of everyone else with an occasional exception. 1-2 years ago ohio gets tagged, both players and coach with unethical behavior= coach gone, for good. Some of these Big10 coaches are sick and tired of getting beat on by ohio and they should be in my opinion. So anyways some of these coaches like Dantonio are seeing ohio fall from grace and I'm sure he and other big coaches are licking their chops in anticipation of a lot of quality recruits that will now be available to them via the ohio pipeline. Well hold on Nelly, it ain't over till the fat lady stands up and sings and in this case not only did ohio land on their feet they snagged one Urban Meyer who is not only a seasoned darn good coach but one of the if not the best recruiter around. He, Urban rights the ship and retrieves a bunch of players that Tressel probably would have gotten anyways and he snags some extra frosting on the cake. All I can say to that is that between Coach Hoke and coach meyer the rest of the big 10 better wipe those tears and get their butts to work or it is going to be the big 2 again in fact it might already be. My opinion is that Brady and urban snagged exceptional talent and the rest of the big 10 well 2 that you know of saw the writing on the wall and they decided to try and throw a little weight around and intimidade urban meyer. Boys or coaches that ain't gonna happen. Urban is miles ahead of you in all aspects of the game and if you 2 coaches think for one hot minute that your going to intimadate urban meyer's well maybe it's time for you to call it a day cause Brady and urban are all about winning and that starts with recruiting. My hat is off to Coach Hoke, well played Coach.
rightmind250
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8 p.m.
Scott, nice comments, but the chance of UM winning in Columbus next year are slim and none and Hoke just ate slim.
Scott
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:38 p.m.
Yah- Meyers and Hoke entrances into the big ten were successful by any standards. I say that knowing darn well Ohio will field an excellent team next year. But we still win! Go Blue!
Terry Star21
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
I don't like to touch this one...at first I thought coach Hoke should have taken the 'no-comment' approach, but after chewing on it awhile I think he played his cards just right. Agree with Mark and Don 100%.
Mick52
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
I have to agree with the position that a player is fair game until they sign. Suppose a player gets a offer from Wisconsin or MSU when they never figured that would happen, that they might go to a MAC school. So they accept but later a better opportunity comes along. Can't blame them for that. Also I would not want a player who would do switch. Maybe they were baited by illegal offers. Prefer a player who wants to play for your program, not a player open to wooing. And osu might have snagged a good coach, but I think Meyer is as crooked as Tressell. During the telecast of a game, maybe the Michigan Nebraska game, he was a commentator and one of the other commentators asked him about the speculation on the osu job. He flatly denied being in any discussions on the job but shortly after, lo and behold, he is the next osu coach. IMHO he lied and I do not care what the status quo is on that, particularly when the school has just shown it is dirty. I would have preferred a "no comment, " rather than a lie. Same old osu I guess.
Hebner
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 3:05 a.m.
Mick, I am with you bro. You tell it like it is.
rightmind250
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
I heard the telecast. Meyer probably was in discussions with OSU at that time, but as a professional how is he supposed to answer while another guy is coaching the team. Get over yourself. He did not have a job offer. Hoke claims he never eats before a game. Look at him. Does he look like he misses that many meals? He must be lieing. Mick, some of your comments are idiotic.
alarictoo
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
In an attempt not to cast aspersions on Mr. Meyer until we see how he behaves at OSU, don't forget that contract negotiations at that level frequently include non-disclosure agreements during the process. It could very well be that he was not allowed to speak about it. If that were the case, I think he might have done a better job of responding than to flat out deny it. But, caught flat-footed like that, he may have denied it to strongly. I will wait and see how he comports himself going forward.
Scott
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
true- people seem to have no problem with lying these days. i hope we never see that from Hoke.
Terry Star21
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
You must have been typing your comment same time as me - I like that post, makes a lot of sense.
getmoney
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:17 p.m.
Agree with Mark. Keep your hands clean Brady and let Sparty and Wisky take shots at that school down there. Let these 3 beat on each other, use resources against each other, and it should help UM.
Ted
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 5:48 a.m.
Want to explain how that reply is pertinent at all?
rightmind250
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:57 p.m.
Hoke did make a comment. There was a lot of" ummmmmmmmmmm, wellll, ummmmmmmm, welll. What you don't understand Hoke speak? He's teaching a communication class at the Michigan Community College.
Terry Star21
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
You know at first I thought 'no-comment' from Hoke - but the two coaches south and west show no support/respect for Hoke, so he made the right move. He always seems to doesn't he ?
Bob James
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
Most media accounts have missed the comment by Dantonio that is more to the point: "But I do think that when it becomes a matter of twisting somebody -- when you're a 50-year-old man or a 40-year-old man twisting a 17-year-old -- that's when it's wrong. I'm not saying that's happening in the Big Ten conference. But I see that happening around the country, when somebody decommits on the day of signing. That's when you have to wonder about the tactics."
D21
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 6:41 p.m.
Danner, I am assuming that it's ok for Gholston to do a 360 degree neck twist on Denard?
heartbreakM
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 1:39 a.m.
Is this the same Dantonio who went after Mike Hart for his little brother comments? (I actually agree with Dantonio here, but he is a total hypocrite)
johnnya2
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.
So it is ok for the 40 or 50 year old man to twist the kids arm for YEARS before that date? How many kids who are not even seniors in high schools yet has Dantonio talked to? How many that are still sophomores? The argument is silly. A verbal commitment is worth the paper it is written on.
SEC Fan
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.
gee, i didn't hear any of these big10 coaches complaining when players were leaving Ohio State after Tressel's departure. What losers. so afraid of competition.
knotch
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
I didn't hear the a Big 10,11,12 coach make comments about a 18 y/o who scammed him for tickets......
Scott
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
The SEC teams do more than compete. Their is a long history of pay for play. We don't want that in the Big Ten.
Ted Bundy
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.
Haha from a $EC fan, this is funny. Where education is optional, and pay to play schemes are the norm. Where did Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick, Julio Jones and Mark Ingram get such nice cars from while attending "school" in the $EC? How many kids are Bama and LSU gonna cut and greyshirt to make room for their oversignees? Theres a thing called "win at all costs", and a thing call "honor and integrity". It seems like somebody is afraid of the latter...
DonAZ
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
Hoke's position is brilliant: o As Mark H says, it shows Hoke as "above the fray" o It leaves the door open for Hoke to take recruits who wish to change their commitment to Michigan (i.e. Kalis) o It signals to recruits that Hoke and Michigan aren't about whining and making excuses The recruiting wars are only going to get more intense, not less. If not Meyer doing it, then someone else would have.
Terry Star21
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:59 p.m.
Good. And you are A+ on; from here on out it will be intense. Brady's cool/calm demur will make him come out the winner with parents, athletes and HS coaches for sure What happen to Edward R. Murrow here ?
RudeJude
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.
Coach Urban Meyer: "You're pissed because we went after a committed guy?" he said at the Ohio High School coaches clinic. "Guess what? We got nine guys who better go do it again. Do it a little harder next time." I can't hate this, despite it coming from our archrival's coach. When was this gentlemen's agreement made? I dislike it when "committed" players go elsewhere, but we're not talking marriage vows here. Meyer is going to do all he can to bring the best players to his school. As long as it's within the bounds of the NCAA, who really cares if Dantonio and Bielema had their feathers ruffled. Time to up your recruiting game, boys.
rej73
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.
Does anybody really believe that Oscar Meyer "just asks"?
Scott
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
Ditto: Meyers says he calls them up and asks them if they are interested. if they say yes he tries and gets them. If not he walks away. Free country. Nothing unethical here.
DonAZ
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
Agree with your position here ... I don't like it, but it's a battle out there. Plus a "gentleman's agreement" within the Big 10 is meaningless. Does anyone really think a choice recruit would be "off limits" to schools outside the Big 10? Not a chance. Sell your program and keep 'em sold. Hoke knows this.
mark h
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.
I like the way Hoke has positioned himself in this argument... essentially above the fray. Bielema and Dantonio come off as whining sore losers. Although I'd be interested to hear if there's more to the story of Bielema's suggestion that Meyer's tactics were "illegal." If NCAA rules were violated, then it's a different story. I suspect this won't happen as much in coming years. Remember that these were all kids who had been recruited by OSU and shown interest in OSU, but who didn't commit because of the scandal and coaching uncertainty. Because the situation will be much more stable (hopefully) next year, it shouldn't be much of an issue.
knotch
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
The Hoker is right.... everyone is fair game. If a Student-athlete is a Michigan man....No hairless nut will change that....
Terry Star21
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.
Good writing mark and scott, couldn't agree more - there is something else amiss with the coach from the west !
scott
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
I don't know why it's so bad for a football coach to speak honestly, I love that Bielema has gone on a tear of ripping apart tressel and meyer. I wonder if he's hinting at something beyond recruiting a committed player as well.....
michboy40
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.
The B1G is about to become the B2G, again...get it?
genetracy
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 5:33 p.m.
Brady sees nothing wrong with Meyer stealing recruits until OSU steals one of his.
uferwasawsome
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
This is a bad headline...Hoke does not need a gentleman's agreement because he is a gentleman. Recruiting is ugly and Urban Myer doesn't care what anybody thinks, including Dantonio and Bielema. The cream always rises to the top and the shady garbage that Myer pulls will come back to haunt him.
johnnya2
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
Ok first off, the term "steal" implies that the recruit is a piece of property. A recruit can change his mind for whatever reason they want. Trey Burke verbally committed to Penn Stare, but changed his mind. Imagine you go to buy a house. You say, I really love this house I am going to put in an offer. You then go out a few days later and see a new house that you like more. If the offer is not signed, should the person who sold you the second house be deemed "unethical". There are plenty of things about Uban Meyer that are unethical (retiring to spend more time with his family or his health, then getting tired of them after only a year), but this is not one of them
alarictoo
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
Maybe Urban hasn't, but there have been several verbal commits that have chosen to go elsewhere. I've not heard one bit of complaining from Hoke. Your argument is specious.
Scott
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 7:29 p.m.
Unlikely. That would be like eating at a 5 star restaurant and then deciding to walk away and eat at White Castle.
treetowncartel
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
Looks like "little brother" has a new found ire for his step-daddy.