Brady Hoke acknowledges he's nervous for Michigan football team's opener against Western Michigan
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke held his weekly news conference from the lectern at the Junge Family Center on Monday, then chatted afterward during a roundtable session with reporters.
He looked comfortable, obviously ready to get his first season under way, and acted comfortable. He even dressed comfortable, forgoing socks with his dress slacks and shoes — fitting for a coach who often wears shorts and sneakers without socks during practices.
Hoke was very much in his element, in control.
He might not feel that way Saturday, when he takes the Michigan Stadium field for the first time as a head coach.
“We’re not ready to play,” Hoke said of his team’s matchup with Western Michigan (3:30 p.m., ABC). “And I’ll probably say that on Friday.”
Brady Hoke's nerves aren't a sign of vulnerability; maybe just a little reality, considering the expectations he's set for himself.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Is it nerves?
“My nervousness comes when you ask yourself if you’re dotting all the I’s and crossing all the T’s,” he said. “We talked as a staff that, No. 1, we’ve got to have a great plan for these guys on both sides of the ball — and the kicking game — that’s going to help these guys be successful. And that’s what you think about constantly.
“Did we cover this? Have we covered this enough? Taking a safety from a punt formation with 13 seconds left in a game — what’s the punter do? That sort of stuff (creates) nervousness.”
Hoke is confident in his team, certainly. He has said this offseason he expects to win — this year. He expects to compete for a Big Ten championship — this year.
So, his nerves aren’t a sign of vulnerability; maybe just a little reality, considering the expectations he’s set for himself despite transitioning offensive and defensive schemes.
Either way, he has one thing going for him: Familiarity with that first opponent.
When Hoke was head coach at Ball State from 2003-08, he went 4-2 against the Broncos. He faced current Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit the final four years of that tenure.
He went 3-1 against him.
Does that history play in his favor?
“I don’t know,” Hoke said. “First games are always a little different. Do you take the last four games or the first three from a year ago? … I really am impressed when you watch them play on the tape.”
Saturday, finally, he’ll get to see the Broncos in person.
“I’m sure it will be very humbling,” Hoke said.
He just hopes it won’t be on the scoreboard.
Freshmen who could see time
Hoke said two freshmen who could see time on defense are defensive end Frank Clark and cornerback Blake Countess. Clark will play in nickel and dime packages, and Countess could get snaps behind Troy Woolfolk at cornerback and on special teams.
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Freshman Matt Wile will see the field as well. He's expected to kick off against Western Michigan, and also will start at punter with Will Hagerup suspended.
Hoke said he also could attempt field goals of 43 or 44 yards and longer.
Rest on night before game? Not even close
Hoke said he will have 5 p.m. practices Friday, which is unusually late for college football teams.
“There will be a little bit more intensity to it than maybe other programs have had,” Hoke said. “You have to have an intensity in how you do it, because then you’re going to play fast.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to play fast in this game. So, that part of it is different.”
Change in gameday routine
Hoke wouldn’t disclose any superstitions or traditions he has, but did say he would not continue the Victors' Walk that was initiated under former coach Rich Rodriguez.
Hoke said at last month’s Big Ten media days in Chicago he intended to continue the ceremony, which included players and coaches walking through a crowd of fans in the Blue Lot as they entered Michigan Stadium.
Fall camp epilogue
Hoke, on closing out fall camp Saturday: “You’re never going to be satisfied and it’s never going to be as good as you’d like it to be, but that’s part of being competitive. I think we developed as a team, I think we became closer as a team.”
Martin adds "videographer" to resume
Michigan tight end Kevin Koger, on nose tackle Mike Martin shooting webisodes of the team: "It shows fans that we're more than just helmets and shoulder pads. We actually do have a personality. But I think I should get a little royalty from it."
Martin said he's shooting the series from his iPhone and editing the video with a friend on his laptop. Installments have clips that range from offensive lineman Taylor Lewand rapping to Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh hosting a football camp.
The series can be found here.
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
Fredric
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.
Coach, you are as ready as you can be at this stage of the season, We are behind you and the team 100%,(would say more but there really isn't more that 100%.) YOu just get the boys ready and excited and hopefully, they will do the rest! " Go get em" .
Jaxon5
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 2:04 p.m.
If the Victors' Walk is continued, it should be completed by walking backward from the bus to the stadium, until Mich achieves a winning Big 10 season.
oldgaffer
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 10:41 a.m.
No socks? For cripes sakes what is that about? Pew!
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:56 a.m.
Please God, don't let this be another round of: We're Going to the Rose Bowl!.... Oops, the coach had a heart attack. I could not stand to go through that again. Seriously. But I do agree with others who're saying that: (1) first game jitters are normal and (2) it's highly unlikely that this coach and this team will fail or even "under perform" in this game. Unless Hoke is sand bagging every one, including Notre Dame and all the big names which follow, I'll bet that we're going to see the Wolverines shred these non-conference teams and do just fine against the lesser powers in the Big Ten. I definitely believe they'll take down the Irish and probably as a result: end up owning N.D.'s 17th pre-season rank.
stunhsif
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
Go Broncos, many of us in the Ann Arbor area hate the narcissim that the fans and the team itself displays, even after many losing years. Go Green Go White
Lorain Steelmen
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
Hoke is nervous because all this means so much to him, and to be blunt, he can't know until game conditions, how some of these kids will respond. He'll want to play a lot of kids, if he can, to give them some game exposure. Having said that, I also expect him to be savy enough to 'hide a few things' from the Irish. Finally, I just don't think he's the kind of guy, to run up anything, on anybody. That's just not in his DNA. My concern right now is injuries, because while I believe the kids are pumped, we are still thin...depth wise.
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7 p.m.
That is an excellent sign from coach Hoke. Anyone who has every competed in sports knows - if you don't get seriously nervous before your contest, it's time to get out, because your heart and body are just not into it. Those that get nervous will succeed, Those that succeed will stay, Those that stay will become champions. MgoBlueForTiM........getting nervous, succeeding, staying and becoming champions. Amen.
Hailmary
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.
It is my opinion, Brady and team are not ready yet for Notre Dame, It is my opinion that Brady and the team are ready for Western Michigan and it is my opinion that Brady and the team will be ready for Notre Dame next week. Brady and staff and the team will be just fine this year. We will do well this year and Brady and our Michigan Wolverines will start the foundation for a return to glory as it should be for the Michigan Wolverines and fans.
MjC
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
Nerves of maize and blue steel! We're all behind you Coach... GO BLUE!
Chad Williams
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
Great way to respect the opponent and to beliee until he 60 min is up anything can happen. He just wasnts to feel happy that in case of some kind of gimmick or mistake they arent looking as if they never practiced. You would suprised on how many teams dont practice those things. Im talkin the onside kick when its in a kick-off formation or that extra point thing oregon did and michigan didnt look like it even knew it was legal to do that play. I think with more upperclassmen although in a new system those players need to be held accountable for their play. Coaches dont throw ints, dont fumble, and dont dropped balls or miss tackles. Coaches call the plays and the players make them happen. We haent seen these players execute in 3 years time for that to change.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
Who cares. Is it ever?
SFK
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 12:32 a.m.
Is this comment for real?
Bogie
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
I wonder......Has anyone seen Coach Hoke, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in the same room?
Fredric
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:20 p.m.
Lets see how the season goes then we can maybe talk him into running for the OFFICE!!!
Bluefire
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
Chuckle!
catfishrisin
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
Nervous for Western...just wait until he has to face OSU...he'll need the rubber room
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
After western, death penalty buckeyes no challenge.
DonAZ
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:24 p.m.
My sense is Hoke is a bit of a perfectionist ... which is a mark of all good coaches. Plan for all contingencies and prepare for everything. Take nothing for granted. No detail too small. I believe Michigan will beat Western Michigan. It won't be a nail biter, but it won't be a blow-out either. Hoke is going to work to win that game using some of the more conservative elements of his arsenal. He's still holding his cards close to his vest. There's a few cards he has in mind for Notre Dame.
BlueGator
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
I don't believe Hoke is going to hold back anything this week in an effort to be conservative. Obviously, there will be a number of specific plays put in for ND, but that will be true as we tailor our game for any given opponent we face during the year, including WMU. Taking WMU too lightly could be disastrous.
Hebner
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.
You are right! Don't provide meaningful game tape for ND. Win, but win with a limited arsenal.
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.
Exciting for sure.. I still think Hoke & co. are holding out on us fans and opponents, with closed door practices and limited media coverage. He keeps saying they are not ready! because of his high expectations and I also think he has some surprises in store for us fans,and certainly for up coming opponents ,as in new wrinkles and plays on both defense and offense,and he's not about to show his hand until the moment he has to.. IMO I think the defense will be much more competitive ,and will become more confident and comfortable with what Hoke & Mattison have instilled as the season rolls on !! TiM GO BLUE..
10dz
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 11:55 a.m.
love the 5 pm practice the night before the game..... keep it fresh in their minds for the next day!!!
MRunner73
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 11:43 a.m.
Coach Hoke is too smart to look past any oppenent. I am sure he has the team thinking the same way. Always respect your oppenent. Take 'em one game at a time. I am confident of a big Meeechigan win, but I am only a fan and have the right to be optimistic. I will be cheering the Wolverines on at the game...GO BLUE!!
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:07 p.m.
MRunner...if you are a runner you know, if you're not a nervous wreck before your race or at the starting line - it's time to get out and walk away. The nervousness is a sign of being prepared, being 100% into your sport, and itching to get put there and do your best. Gotta be a good sign from Hoke.
Smart Logic
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
MRunner73, that was well stated. Thank you for not turning this into either, "Michigan is the best, hands down!" or "Come on Appalachian State!" followed by random unsupported facts to try to prove your point. Echoing your thoughts, "always respect your opponents."
Terrin Bell
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.
Hoke probably doesn't look past any opponents either. :O)
scott
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.
I'm excited that Blake Countess is getting these mentions amongst some decent corners that have experience. That kid impressed me when he committed in the middle of a coaching vacancy....