Michigan football coach Brady Hoke comments on Jim Tressel's resignation
In mid-May at the Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago, former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel called new Michigan coach Brady Hoke "awesome." He thought he was good for the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, a yearly matchup Tressel lived for a decade. On Monday, in the midst of a scandal and cover-up, Tressel resigned.
And a day later, Hoke had something to say.
“I have great respect for Jim Tressel and what he has accomplished during his coaching career," Hoke said in a statement released by Michigan late Tuesday. "We enjoy competing in ‘The Game’ and have great respect for our rivals in Ohio. Our program looks forward to the last weekend of November.”
Instead of facing Tressel in his first Michigan-Ohio State game as a head coach, Hoke will go against fellow first-year coach Luke Fickell. Fickell was named interim coach for the entire 2011 Ohio State season on Monday.
It'll mark the first time since 1929 and fifth time in history both schools will have a head coach in their first year at the school on the sidelines.
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by email at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein
Comments
Lorain Steelmen
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
IF ever there was a 'stark comparison' between THE osu, and UM, it would be 'depicted' by the personality differences in osu's Terrell Pryor vs. UM's Denard Robinson. Say what you will, about RR, he recruited a lot of great kids. And even though UM went through a tough three years, and a change in coaches, DRob has been steady as a rock, and has made it VERY plain that UM is about, TEAM first, and not about, individuals. There are PLENTY of great kids that have grown up in this program over the past few years. Now, IF....Brady Hoke can build on that philosophy, of TEAM first, and 'passion' for all that IS Michigan football, then we WILL, be back. The kids have a lot of work ahead of them. If they can take it one game a time, and we can get some breaks by staying relatively 'healthy', (a big IF, in this league) then I like our chanches of winning number 43! Meanwhile Pryor joins the ranks of Troy Smith, Maurice Clarret, et al. And that is a 'tradition' we just DON"T want here. Go Blue!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.
Lorraine wrote: "IF ever there was a 'stark comparison' between THE osu, and UM, it would be 'depicted' by the personality differences in osu's Terrell Pryor vs. UM's Denard Robinson. Say what you will, about RR, he recruited a lot of great kids." A laughable post, given that the first recruiting failure of the WCiMFH was his effort to bring Pryor to A2. Had the WCiMFH remained here, we were headed down the same road. Good Night and Good Luck
Terry Star21
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
Well, the Mighty Hoke has shown a lot of class, in everything he has thus said and done. In his sort time - he has represented the professionalism, the respect and the heritage of Michigan Football I've always known. MgoBlueForTiM !!!!
catfishrisin
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 10:19 p.m.
No Tressel, No Pryor...Lucky break for UM. They need luck.
D21
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.
Lorainne, "Mick. Just a thought. If Fickell has been a coach at THE osu, for nine years, and assisitant DC last year, isn't it possible, in fact probable, that he also knew about the 'culture of non-compliance'? C'mon! I'm sorry, but this thing IS DEEP and WIDE! Everyone n Cbus understands that football players are an 'entitled' And how about Dantonio? He has strong osu roots. How could he not have known? And has he allowed the same 'culture of noncompliance' to floursih at msu?" I finally agree with you in that point and am adding my own point of view: Is it possible that Luke Fickle (yes, fickle not fickell) is the figurehead with Tressel doing the puppeting part from afar? I suggest to the NCAA to ban OSU completely for one year or two years and to fire President Gee and AD Smith for their complicity in this situation. That certainly will send a huge message to other cheating colleges. Also, I don't miss not winning against Tressel as I originally thought so cuz this crud doesn't deserve to set afoot on the football field let alone the Big House ever again.
Lorain Steelmen
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
D21. I actually think that Fickle IS just 'being used', by THE osu, as a way to keep the culture intact, while still presenting the false image of a 'compliance' to outsiders. He's a 'good soldier' who will do exactly what they want during the next year or so. I think he will get pushed out, after the heat dies down, and they have decided on Tressel's real replacement, be it Urban Meyer, or Bo Pelini, or perhaps Mark Dantonio.
Mush
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
I'm a Michigan football fan, but I have to admit that I really dislike Michigan football fans. First, all programs have off-the-field player problems and Michigan has had it's share. Second, OSU is an alleged violator; Michigan is a convicted violator and on probation. Third, Hoke hasn't won a single game at Michigan; the way fans go on an on, you'd think he was Bo's second coming. Fourth, the "Michigan Man" thing is nothing short of absurd. Substitute the word "arrogant" for "Michigan" and you'd about have it right. Finally, the glee about OSU's NCAA troubles is disgusting. If our team can't beat them, then I guess the thing to do is join the tar and feather party.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 10:22 p.m.
Mush....at least show some pride that your an osu fan. If you want to try and rain on the 'M' parade, don't hide and pretend - we've already seen that down south.
Lorain Steelmen
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
Mush. UM was a convicted violator 'of what', Working the kids too hard? UM had kids doing calasethetics on their own time. ie) about 20 mintues a week. If the truth be known, that probably has been going on, since the Bo days. And RR contested, and was exonerated, on the false charge of maintaining a culture of noncompliance. Nope, THE osu, has pretty much been exposed in the press, as a pervasive culture of non-compliance for 10 years. Probably longer. I can recall Tressel, coming in, his first year, and beating Lloyd in AA..what 26-20 or something? And 'the vest' went 7-5 that year...ughhh. Face it, 9-1 vs UM IS significant, even though LC allowed the UM program to deteriorate. And now the world knows how all that was accomplished.
tater
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.
I won't be totally sold on Brady Hoke until he has a real track record, but I am very impressed with his talent for coachspeak and taking the high road.
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.
tater, what about his recruiting? Or do you like your Big Ten players under 6 foot and 160 pounds? I think it's a good thing that you're "not totoally sold on Brade Hoke..." because with your track record of loving the WCiMFH, that would be the 'kiss of death' career-wise for Coach Hoke. Remember TiM Go Blue!
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
And that Defense will have several months of actual coaching by real defensive coaching professionals who will have to correct all the bad habits and worst technique left over by the WCiMFH and merry band of hangers-on. The players that played last year will be in new positions, with a new scheme to learn, and new responsibilies to perfect. About the only thing that will be the same is that...THIS is MICHIGAN! Go Blue!
Lorain Steelmen
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
Tater, I think Hoke will be OK, but I agree, he will have pretty much the same kids on defense. He will have the advantage of a years growth in their maturity, and physical strength. And that should help! As the current UM coach, Hoke'll have my support. (Unlike some on here, in the past, who have attacked the current coach, yet claim to be fans of the program. (Right!!!!! They can't have it both ways.......)
treetowncartel
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
The facts we know them from news reports, may not be the facts that established at the NCAA Hearing this August. Since nothing has been proven, Hoke's comments are exactly what is called for in this situation. The situation will bear itself out in the process that was designed to deal with it. Personally, I don't think he needed to comment on the situation at all, either now or after the NCAA's findings and possible sanctions are revealed. . We are better than that, we are Michigan.
Mick
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.
Lorain, I gotta agree with you, I didn't think about that. You're right about Fickell, he should've indeed known. Heck, the assistants are supposed to be closer to the players than the head man is. If Fickell doesn't do that well, than he will be gone after this season also, Lorain is right, this thing is rampant. Now as far as whatshisname is concerned, Lorain, he stunk up the joint, that's why he's gone, come on man, don't make that parallel. He was an awful coach in AA and deserved to be fired.
missionbrazil
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
"we don't know if RR was an awful coach" They don't say "Love is blind" for nothing.
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.
LS If you can say you don't know how bad a coach the WCiMFH was after watching the last three games of the 2010 season then I guess the people in C'bus can say "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" and mean it. Coach Carr didn't do anything wrong with RM. Where was your guy before, during and after the bowl game regarding Mallet? LC filled a vacuum and answered a parent's question. It was the right answer. Other than RM, where else did anyone undermine the program? Proof would be nice. After 3 years, a losing record, no defense, no special teams, no evidence of coaching players up from half to half or game to game, there was no need to wait 3 more years. Michigan is under probation of breaking NCAA rules and it all happened under your guy. If you can't see that then you have the same vision as those people in C'bus. Coach Brady Hoke is the name and he IS the Head Coach of the University of Michigan Football program. TiM Go Blue!
Lorain Steelmen
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
Mick, we don't know if RR was an awful coach. We DO know, RR got only 3 years of a 6 year contract. We DO know, that RR had the previous coach (LC) talk the returning starting QB (Mallet) into leaving UM, and the previous coach actively undermined the program. We DO know, that RR was attacked for 'working the kids to hard, and it was later discovered, that meant the kids doing calastethics on their own time. (Roughly 20 minutes per week.) Oh my!!! We DO know, that Boren left, charging the UM program had no 'family values', choosing instead to paly at THE osu, where we now KNOW, what real 'family values' represents...
1bit
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 4:54 p.m.
First off, Coach Hoke's statement is good enough. Not too much, not too litle. Second, OSU is kidding itself if it thinks that only Jim Tressel knew what was going on. The assistants had to know too - or at least a couple of them. This is death by a thousand cuts. They really need to get their house in order because "The Game" doesn't mean much if they're not at full strength.
David Vande Bunte
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
I dispute the notion that both Hoke and Fickell are first year head coaches, or at least at equitable positions. Brady Hoke has been a head coach for years, Luke Fickell has never been a head coach at any level for any amount of time. Brady Hoke is only a first year head coach at Michigan, while Fickell is a first year head coach, period. That gives Hoke a decided advantage in experience.
David Vande Bunte
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
maybe, but isn't his job ultimately to demonstrate to other universities that he is capable of being his own coach, rather than just a robotic clone of Tressel? I think its a safe bet that OLie-o State is going to let him go at the end of the year as there is no way they are going to turn the reigns over to a rookie coach permanently...they are letting him do it this year because its too late in the season to hire someone else. Luke Fickell has 12 audition games to impress someone else, and he isn't going to do that if he can't demonstrate that he is his own man. Just being a clone of Tressel shows he can be a follower, not a leader. Basically, Fickell is going to do things his way, because he is the head coach, not Jim Tressell, and he will be looking to make his own mark.
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 12:17 p.m.
Wow, I finally disagree with you DVB. Fickell has the advantage because he was already there at tsio and has been for years. He knows all the players and other coaches and more importantly, they know him. I doubt he will change much system-wise due to his one year "caretaker" coaching position and since he knew he would have some game responsibility due to the 5 game suspension of JT, that lessens the impact on him personally. The one that didn't change is Coach Hoke still has to beat tsio in November. TiM Go Blue! That, I'm sure, we both agree on.
Lorain Steelmen
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.
Mick. Just a thought. If Fickell has been a coach at THE osu, for nine years, and assisitant DC last year, isn't it possible, in fact probable, that he also knew about the 'culture of non-compliance'? C'mon! I'm sorry, but this thing IS DEEP and WIDE! Everyone n Cbus understands that football players are an 'entitled' And how about Dantonio? He has strong osu roots. How could he not have known? And has he allowed the same 'culture of noncompliance' to floursih at msu? I'm so glad that Jusin Boren decided to leave UM, because he wanted the 'family values' Tressel established in Columbus, rather than the hard work in Ann Arbnor. And to think, many herel castigated Rodriguez for working the kids too much. All this makes some of the so-called UM fans look pretty foolish! My friends, all this has gone on in Cbus for TEN years.....and the shoddy stories coming out now, about prostitutes and money, available during osu's recruiting, is still coming out. It'll be a VERY interesting summer.
Mick
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
I love what Hoke is doing so far, but quite frankly, I would have rather he say something to the effect that what went down in C'Bus will not be tolerated in AA and that he will do everything in his power to keep it that way. That we will never recruit players that want perks, let them go ruin some other school. I want kids that want to play for U-M with all their hearts. There are many kids that get it, skirting the rules will comeback and bite you in the you know where. Once Pryor leaves TSIO, he will never be welcomed back, he's burning bridges and is clueless because he thinks people are gonna fawn on him forever, he's in for a rude awakening. I believe he will end up being vilified and have to buy his own cars. On a side note, since Fickell played for Cooper, I think we will have that dominance over TSIO again, Lol! Heck, we will anyway! TiM, Go Blue!!!
Meangoblue
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
Jim Tressel called new Michigan coach Brady Hoke "awesome." Nice guy this Tressel character...........now that he is out of work, he ought to move to Irish Hills. This "one guy that I know" says they are hiring at the Prehistoric Village and also at the Mystery Spot on Pentecost Hwy. Tressel could also join the MCC to kill some time and go golfing with the WciMFH. (AKA...whatshisname, RR,Josh Groban fan club president) MEEEEEEEEEEEEEANchigan football will return from the murky muck! For Tressel, a Josh Groban tune, whatshisname will cluck!!!
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
Good common sense comment. Not really anything that Coach Hoke could add at this time nor should he. What he needs to do is re-start the tradition of first year Michigan coaches winning their initial contest vs tsio. TiM Go Blue!
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Jun 2, 2011 : 12:06 p.m.
Thanks for the feedback but you guys just proved my point about Coach Hoke. lumberg, he could have been more assertive but why risk putting roadblocks in his recruiting of Ohio players? Like Blue Marker notes he can still think what he wants of JT, he's just smart enough to keep it to himself. (But I would love to hear some coach step out of the circle and tell it like it is. Oh well back to reality.) TiM Go Blue!
Blue Marker
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 8:10 p.m.
Keep in mind lumber that BH is recruiting in Ohio every day. I think it's a smart move, even if it's political to speak highly of a man that almost the entire state holds in such high regard. I doubt Hoke really feels that way. And I agree with your point. But I still think there is nothing to gain in any negative comment on JT.
lumberg48108
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 : 3:01 p.m.
Disagree Blue ... This is the good ole boys coaching networking looking out for one of its own ... Hoke could have made the point that cheating will not be tolerated while still not trashing Tressel. Instead he said ""I have great respect for Jim Tressel and what he has accomplished during his coaching career." Really?? Great respect? Its obvious coaches looki out for eachother because A. Next week it could be them and B. Then they will need a job ... so the coaching fraternity protects its own. If coaches won't speak out about cheating/lying/misleading investigators, why in the heck should student athletes care about breaking the rules?