Michigan football coach Brady Hoke a finalist for Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke continues to earn national recognition for his performance this season.
The first-year Michigan coach was named Tuesday one of 10 Football Bowl Subdivision finalists for the 2011 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award.
Hoke has already been named the 2011 Big Ten Coach of the Year, and is one of five finalists for the 2011 Eddie Robinson Award.
Brady Hoke.
Fans can participate in the vote by visiting www.coachoftheyear.com. The voting window runs from Dec. 6-22.
The winner of the FBS award will be announced the morning of the BCS Championship game on Jan. 9, 2012 in New Orleans. If Hoke wins the award, he will receive $50,000 to donate to the charities of his choice, and also a $20,000 grant to Michigan's alumni association.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Hawaiian Neal
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
Seriously? I'm a UM fan for 40 years and all about the program, but with dropping PSU and Wisc and picking up Mn and NW, Rich Rod was supposed to have 9-11 wins this year according to all the sports guru's last year before he was let go. Hoke did 'OK' but the losses to MSU and especially Iowa were a surprisingly lackluster coaching performances. The play selection cost us both games. Let's see how the program does against VT and Alabama before we anoint him a coaching god. VT should be a pretty easy win, Alabama will be a coaching challenge and a good indication of what it will be like coaching against Urban Meyer. All I ask is that we keep it real.
azwolverine
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 3:42 a.m.
I'll go along with you and "keep it real." No one has annointed Hoke a coaching 'god.' No one. He is being recognized for turning a down and out UM program that was blown off the field for three straight years (and 6 times just last season) back into Michigan. Hoke did FAR BETTER than 'OK'...he ended the streak against OSU(RR wouldn't have), blew Nebraska off the map (RR would have lost), and hung in every game (even MSU wasn't decided until 6 minutes to go). He took UM to a 10-2 record against a schedule that included only 1 losing team and 10 bowl teams. In other words, he is being recognezed as a great coach for doing what was NOT EXPECTED. I don't know what gurus you're referring to, but I never heard any expectations for 9 wins, and certainly not 11. If you're going to keep it real, then try to do that...because right now it seems as if you're pulling 'facts' from the air.
BornInA2
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
Man, that is some seriously strong Koolaid some of you drank these last three long, depressing years. The only thing the former coach excelled at was underachieving. Oh, and throwing his players under the bus. He's gone. Get over it. Or move on to a Arizona Wildcat board. Go Blue. Go Hoke!
MRunner73
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.
I must have missed the sports guru's prediction of a U-M Rich Rod team having 9 to 11 wins in 2011. I recall that Rich Rod was shooting for 9 wins this year or at least 9 wins. Given how bad his defense was, which would have only been slightly better this year, Rich Rod would have been no better that 7 and 5. My thinking is Western Mich would have put up 40 on us, Notre Dame, which did score 34 on us under Hoke, Mattison, would have been 40 plus under Rich Rod. How about SDSU? How many more would Sparty have scored? How about Ohio State? I am serious about that. I wish Rich Rod well. I am delighted at the accomplishments Coach Hoke had this year.
lawrencelaundry
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.
I must say I feel bad for those kids that transferred to Pitt when Hoke was hired. Those who stay will be champions". Now look, the coaches they followed, (magee, tony dews etc.) Left to Arizona and left the kids behind. Should've stayed! " Those who stay will be champions" Go Blue!
MiamiBlue
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.
Good For Coach Hioke! Hope he wins, because it is much deserved! Now, on another note. Sparty, you feeling down? Don't lament! A song will cheer you up! Ladies and Gentlemen, The Elvis Presley classic (Don't cry Daddy!) as sung by Mr. Kirk Cousins! Today I stumbled from my East Lansing bed With thunder crashing in my head And my pillow still wet From last night's tears And as I think of giving up A voice inside my coffee-cup Kept crying out Ringing in my ears Don't cry Sparty Sparty, please don't cry Sparty, you've still got me and little Markie (as in Dantonio) Together we'll find a brand new mommy Sparty, Sparty, please laugh again BCS polling will be back again Oh, Sparty, please don't cry Why are Sparties always first To feel the pain and hurt the worst It's cruel but somehow It just don't seem right 'Cause ev'ry time I look at the BCS poll I know It hurts my little Sparties so And I wonder will it be the same on SUGAR BOWL NIGHT.. Don't cry Sparty Sparty, please don't cry Sparty, you've still got me and little Markie Together we'll find a brand new mommy Sparty, Sparty, please laugh again Dantonio ride us on your back again BCS polling will be back again Oh, Sparty, please don't cry Oh, Sparty, please don't cry Don't cry Sparty! Kirk Cousins, Whiner Records Inc 2011 :) :)
Meangoblue2
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 5:54 p.m.
The last 10 years heisman winners and prediction for 2011: 2000 Weinke, Chris Florida State Quarterback 1,628 2001 Crouch, Eric Nebraska Quarterback 770 2002 Palmer, Carson USC Quarterback 1,328 2003 White, Jason Oklahoma Quarterback 1,481 2004 Leinart, Matt USC Quarterback 1,325 2005 Bush, Reggie (vacated)[n 1] [n 2][n 3] USC Running back 2,541 2006 Smith, Troy Ohio State Quarterback 2,540 2007 Tebow, Tim Florida Quarterback 1,957 2008 Bradford, Sam Oklahoma Quarterback 1,726 2009 Ingram, Jr., Mark Alabama Running back 1,304 2010 Newton, Cam Auburn Quarterback 2011 Hoke, Brady Michigan Coach