Michigan football coach Brady Hoke works on his camps, his travel and other notes
With spring practice over and recruits committing at almost a weekly pace, Michigan football coach Brady Hoke has turned his attention to other things — starting to prepare for the 2011 season and also working on the structure of his summer camps.
Hoke will have two “Wolverine Technique Schools” next month, teaching basics about football and strength and conditioning.
The camp for high school students will be from June 19-23 and for youth (grades 6-8) from June 24-26.
Much like everything else Hoke has tried to implement since he arrived in Ann Arbor in January, he is hoping it will grow.
“There was a time where we had close to a couple thousand kids that would participate and to bring them into camp and teach them how to play the game of football,” Hoke said. “That’s why you do it.
“There’s always a recruiting element to it but it’s really to teach the game of football, to teach a guard how to pull and a defensive lineman how to use his hands.”
On the road Hoke has also spent time traveling around the country talking to groups of football alumni, in part to introduce himself and also to sell his vision for the future of Michigan.
These off-season tours are a staple of many programs — Tennessee has a caravan of coaches throughout the south and Indiana has an in-state tour for instance — to help connect coaches with fans and former players.
“It’s been great,” Hoke said. “We’ve had some where there are 7 or 8 guys there but there are guys talking about Michigan, Michigan football and reconnecting. The one we had in Detroit at Hockeytown on Tuesday night, we had about 60, maybe a little more than that.
“As we were leaving some of them said, ‘Coach, we’ll double that next year.’”
Hoke isn’t done with the tours. While he said he hasn’t made every stop, he plans on attending the one in Chicago and possibly Cincinnati.
This and that Hoke said he’s not expecting any more attrition from his current roster. Cornerback Cullen Christian recently left the team and safety Ray Vinopal left Ann Arbor earlier this spring. … He also said he hasn’t paid much attention to the growing scandal at rival Ohio State, saying, “I have too many other things here to worry about.”
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
Blu n Tpa
Sun, May 15, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
OBB and tater I feel so warm and fuzzy by the conditional support you are offering this University of Michigan football team. Fix the offense? Where have you been about how the defense and special teams have been the last 3 years? How come you never made any comments about the old coach getting the defense straight by the next "game". Why was it always "next year"? As far as this team being over ".500 percentage" "based on the current roster", who put the current roster together? And why couldn't his "nails" close any MSU, tsio, and other BT teams coffins? Michigan will be much better because the team will be much better COACHED. By the way tater, did you see the "Carr-tel" meeting last night? 800 people to honor a College Football Hall of Fame coach and a great person who helps cure sick children and save kids lives. The power of the "force" for good is strong in the Carr-tel. TiM Go Blue!
missionbrazil
Sun, May 15, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.
the committee to elect Coach Carr to the College Football Hall Of Fame must be part of that "Carr-tel". I nominate the entire MCC to the College Football Hall Of Shame.
tater
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.
Funny. Hoke is great at coachspeak. You can bet your bleep that everyone on the staff knows exactly what is happening at TSIO. I would go so far as to say they get breaking developments texted to them before the public finds out. Hoke definitely knows not to put any locker room material out there. He also knows he is having the best opportunity to beat TSIO in eight years dumped into his lap during his first year as head coach. I hope the offense is straightened out by then.
DonAZ
Sun, May 15, 2011 : 4:21 a.m.
I believe we will all be pleasantly impressed with what Coach Hoke and his staff do this fall. We are in good hands.
OldBittyBates
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
As a recruiter of new football talent, Brady Hoke and his staff seem to be super good. But what will the results of all this hard effort be? We need to wait and not be overly optimistic. This coming season doesn't appear to be all that great. Based on the current roster, it will take a lot to get beyond a .500 percentage. I like Brady and think he's an improvement over the old coach, but can he hammer nails in the coffin of MSU, ND, and OSU to name but a few? It's better to hold off on opinions till we see what the 2011 U of M team produces.
DonAZ
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 6:36 p.m.
Yes, your essential point is certainly valid -- the measure of Hoke as Michigan's coach must ultimately taken from what his team does on the field. That said, there are some (not you; others) who are trying really hard to suggest Hoke must do miraculous things *this year* ... otherwise, he's a bust. That's a complete fallacy, but that's what some are trying to suggest. Here's my yardstick -- if Hoke's team plays more fundamentally sound football in 2011, with fewer dumb mistakes, win the games they should win and play hard and competitively in those they lose, and throughout each game show strength of character and continuing progress ... then he's a success. Because in so doing it'll show he has it takes to move the chains, so to speak. He'll be over .500 this year. He may lose four games. But I doubt they'll be *embarrassing* losses.
Blu-dogg97
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
Old Bitty.. it would be better if YOU held off your opinion !! You don't get it anyway .. Blue will be better than .500 just based on an improved Defense... Hoke and Mattson have recruits coming this summer,who will play a roll in 2011. Mr.Rawls comes to mind.. Michigan will be Michigan from here on out ! Have you seen the recruits that are committing to Michigan ? next 2 yrs will be top ten class's .. so hold on your opinions PLEEEAAZZE.. Hail Yes This Michigan..
15crown00
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 6:43 a.m.
so unlike that Other Guy.Change Is Good
Tru2Blu76
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 6:19 a.m.
I won't say it was "worth it" but suffering through three years of doubt and division sure has sharpened our appetite for the Good Old Days. Maybe Michigan should hire a real loser as head coach every 15 years or so. Let everything go to ruin for three years, then hire a real coach like Brady Hoke. ;-) (I bet Lloyd Carr wishes he'd followed a guy like that RR fellow, he'd have retired as a living legend like Bo did.)
Mick
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
My instincts tell me that we are entering a golden era in U-M Football, which is saying something, considering we already are the winningest program of all time. I can't wait to see the team play and how Hoke is going to mold the team in his vision and image. TiM Go Blue!!!
DonAZ
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 1:15 a.m.
I like Hoke ... I think we have ourselves a fine coach in Hoke.