New Michigan football coach Brady Hoke gets a standing ovation and makes an impression on John Beilein
New Michigan football coach Brady Hoke was warmly welcomed at Crisler Arena.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
As soon as Brady Hoke entered Crisler Arena on Wednesday night, a camera crew in tow, the applause started.
Small at first, with a few people standing. Hoke made his way along the right side of the Crisler Arena court and with his new boss, Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon following behind, found his seat in the front row.
When he sat down, the Michigan student section — the Maize Rage — erupted. They chanted ‘Brady Hoke. Brady Hoke. Brady Hoke.’ Officially named as Michigan’s football coach a little over 24 hours earlier and in the Midwest for less than a full day at that point, Hoke looked to the student section.
He pointed with both of his hands as if to say “Thank you” and “I appreciate it.” The students went wild.
That was just the beginning.
While Hoke didn’t speak to the crowd at halftime against Ohio State like his predecessor, Rich Rodriguez, he was announced to the crowd at the first official timeout and received a standing ovation.
Then he, his wife, Laura, and his daughter, Kelly — all graduates of Ball State — led the Crisler Arena crowd in “The Victors.”
Crisler Arena was so loud, even Michigan basketball coach John Beilein noticed.
“I could hear that in the background,” Beilein said. “I wanted to turn around and look but thought I probably should do my job.
“I knew what was happening and I just loved it.”
For Crisler and a basketball game, it was a raucous atmosphere. In the second half, Michigan’s fanbase gave a standing ovation to quarterback Denard Robinson,who has not commented on whether or not he will return to Ann Arbor for his junior year after the dismissal of the coach that recruited him, Rich Rodriguez. Then, with his face on the JumboTron screen, Robinson led the crowd in “The Victors.”
Hoke also was in the Michigan basketball locker room before the game and was seen leaving the locker room after the game.
In a brief meeting, Beilein was impressed.
“You can tell, he has a bit of a quiet charisma about him,” Beilein said. “I really felt comfortable talking to him. I can really see why he’s a good recruiter and the kids really like him.”
Michael Rothstein covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
shane smith
Sat, Jan 15, 2011 : 11:42 a.m.
Beilein is so full of you know what.Lets take a look at what Coach B has done,nothing really.He record is worse than Rich's was.The basketball team has got worse under him.But he is a Better BS'ER than Rich was.He is one the best at telling you what you want to hear.2 more years at most for him,he's a short timer up there too.
missionbrazil
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
Dwayne, I agree with your "let's move on" and "let's support the new HC" attitude. Now is a great time to reunite the UM fan base, and we have many reasons to be optimistic. In all fairness, it wasn't BornInA2 that has been bringing up RR in comments over and over again. There are 2 or 3 RR supporters here who continue to do so over and over again, and they do it in every thread on this site, and they don't seem to get it that he is gone and they need to move on. You have to understand guys like Portage... when it is his opinion it is him exercising his right to free speech. When someone disagrees with him, they are either "close minded", "being a hater and attacking him", or "trying to take away his freedom of speech".
Dwayne
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 10:08 a.m.
Let's just get this out of the way...it really doesn't matter to me what you or a2 thinks, doesn't change what I'll do today or tomorrow in any way. I think that it is very interesting that what you say is an opinion, but what I say is an order or clamp down on free speech. Whether or not you agree with my opinions is up to you and it won't hurt my feelings either way. I am merely pointing out the hypocrisy as I see it.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 8:56 a.m.
Actually Dwayne. Just as you do we will say whatever nonsense we want on this site. If you disagree with us good for you because I surely do not agree with a lot of what you say like your last post trying to tell folks what they should and shouldn't think or say. If I didn't know better I would think you are trying to take away our freedom of speech. I'll tell you what Dwayne, you express your thoughts and let others express their's. Your flip flop therory is based on the fact that we don't agree with everything you say, get a life kid. We all want Mich. to succeed I expect even you do beyond all your talk about rightousness. Not everyone is going to follow you Dwayne.
Dwayne
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 10:15 p.m.
...and you weren't the new whiny fan, after RR was gone? That's exactly my point. So this would then be the second time that you and portage have flipped sides. Why don't you both (and every other supposed fan) just accept the fact that you aren't the AD and you don't make the decisions. Support your program. And enough already with the kookaiders and history rewrites and the rest of it. The guy's gone, you got what you wanted. Something about sleeping dogs or old wounds or something, just let it go.
BornInA2
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:56 p.m.
I support this coach. I liked Carr and was sorry to see him run out by whiney fans. I don't support RR Kookaiders revising the last three seasons to fit theories like, "He just needed one more season, everything was really going in the right direction."
BornInA2
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:56 p.m.
I support this coach. I liked Carr and was sorry to see him run out by whiney fans. I don't support RR Kookaiders revising the last three seasons to fit theories like, "He just needed one more season, everything was really going in the right direction."
Dwayne
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
No need to go back and look at anything, because I didn't mean you flip-flopping, I meant that you and portage have now flipped sides. All I'm saying is, stop it. Everyone get on the same page and support our coach.
Dwayne
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
No need to go back and look at anything, because I didn't mean you flip-flopping, I meant that you and portage have now flipped sides. All I'm saying is, stop it. Everyone get on the same page and support our coach.
BornInA2
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
You might want to review my posts going back to the day RR fired the entire staff: There hasn't been any flip-flopping or waffling on my part: I didn't like that move (or the way he stole the spotlight at Carr's last game, for that matter), and he never did a thing to alter my position. Bad hire, bad choices, bad results, good dismissal. Hoke says the most important thing each season is the win the Big 10 title. I couldn't agree more. Beat OSU, win the Big 10, and the rest is icing on the cake. And hopefull we'll stop scheduling intermural teams before the Big 10 season starts. Play real teams 'preseason' so that we know how to play and beat them during the Big 10 season. Go Brady. Go Blue. Beat OSU.
BornInA2
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
You might want to review my posts going back to the day RR fired the entire staff: There hasn't been any flip-flopping or waffling on my part: I didn't like that move (or the way he stole the spotlight at Carr's last game, for that matter), and he never did a thing to alter my position. Bad hire, bad choices, bad results, good dismissal. Hoke says the most important thing each season is the win the Big 10 title. I couldn't agree more. Beat OSU, win the Big 10, and the rest is icing on the cake. And hopefull we'll stop scheduling intermural teams before the Big 10 season starts. Play real teams 'preseason' so that we know how to play and beat them during the Big 10 season. Go Brady. Go Blue. Beat OSU.
Dwayne
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
And now there's borninA2...now that we're apparently on the same side, there's no value continuing to bash previous coaches. We now have a passionate coach that is already doing what is needed to keep this team together and add the talent needed to win a championship. Let's focus on that and not keep flipping sides every time a new coach is hired. @portage...I read an article that said Hoke announced on the radio the DRob was staying. Regarding my open mind, I believe that I am. I do like the idea of the spread, I love seeing Michigan put up 500 yards, I liked the idea of giving RR one more year...but we didn't. That's it, over. I'd rather get behind Hoke than to say we should've done this or that. Maybe we did correct too far, maybe a true spread is too much for the big ten, but maybe also Hoke is not a return to Lloyd Carr football. Maybe he'll have more of a hybrid approach and coach to his current talent, like everyone seemed to want RR to do. Who knows, maybe I'm just overly optimistic, but I'm okay with that. Go Blue! Go Coach Hoke!
Dwayne
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
And now there's borninA2...now that we're apparently on the same side, there's no value continuing to bash previous coaches. We now have a passionate coach that is already doing what is needed to keep this team together and add the talent needed to win a championship. Let's focus on that and not keep flipping sides every time a new coach is hired. @portage...I read an article that said Hoke announced on the radio the DRob was staying. Regarding my open mind, I believe that I am. I do like the idea of the spread, I love seeing Michigan put up 500 yards, I liked the idea of giving RR one more year...but we didn't. That's it, over. I'd rather get behind Hoke than to say we should've done this or that. Maybe we did correct too far, maybe a true spread is too much for the big ten, but maybe also Hoke is not a return to Lloyd Carr football. Maybe he'll have more of a hybrid approach and coach to his current talent, like everyone seemed to want RR to do. Who knows, maybe I'm just overly optimistic, but I'm okay with that. Go Blue! Go Coach Hoke!
BornInA2
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
@Portage: He's done just a bit more than nothing in a couple days. And that puts him miles ahead of RR for whom nothing would have been vast improvement. Go Brady! Go Blue! Beat "the team from ohio".
BornInA2
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
@Portage: He's done just a bit more than nothing in a couple days. And that puts him miles ahead of RR for whom nothing would have been vast improvement. Go Brady! Go Blue! Beat "the team from ohio".
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
Has Denard said anything about staying at Mich. does anyone know? Sounds like Brady wants to keep Denard hope so. I think it was Bob Griese today on ESPN said he thinks Brady will go in another direction at QB hope not, hope he keeps Denard right where he is, sure can't hurt.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
Has Denard said anything about staying at Mich. does anyone know? Sounds like Brady wants to keep Denard hope so. I think it was Bob Griese today on ESPN said he thinks Brady will go in another direction at QB hope not, hope he keeps Denard right where he is, sure can't hurt.
missionbrazil
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
Portage "If your going to quote someone don't forget to also get at the context of what a person is saying that is unless you have a negative agenda, do you?" Did I misquote you Portage? Was the "context" of your comments not negative? Are you still not whining about your guy RR getting fired? Move on, he's gone. Get over it already!
missionbrazil
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
Portage "If your going to quote someone don't forget to also get at the context of what a person is saying that is unless you have a negative agenda, do you?" Did I misquote you Portage? Was the "context" of your comments not negative? Are you still not whining about your guy RR getting fired? Move on, he's gone. Get over it already!
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
@Dwayne you make some valid points so here are my valid points. I was excited about the style of football that RR brought and had played against big time schools. I liked the spread. I am not excited about the style of football that Brady Hoke has previously exhibited. Do I hope he does well of course he is now our coach regardless of whether anyone likes it or not. He may do well,that's a good thing. Does he seem like a good guy, ya I suppose what little I honestly know about him he appears to be okay. That doesn't mean he can coach. We knew a lot more from games and big bowl games as to what RR was capable of. Your right there is excitement about Brady and there are unhappy folks. I am giving Brady a fair shake when I say we have to wait until the games to formulate an honest opinion. Think, that is directed just as much at the folks that don't want to give Brady a chance. You've got to open your mind when you tell someone else what they are thinking it's not always meant the way you think you understand it.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
@Dwayne you make some valid points so here are my valid points. I was excited about the style of football that RR brought and had played against big time schools. I liked the spread. I am not excited about the style of football that Brady Hoke has previously exhibited. Do I hope he does well of course he is now our coach regardless of whether anyone likes it or not. He may do well,that's a good thing. Does he seem like a good guy, ya I suppose what little I honestly know about him he appears to be okay. That doesn't mean he can coach. We knew a lot more from games and big bowl games as to what RR was capable of. Your right there is excitement about Brady and there are unhappy folks. I am giving Brady a fair shake when I say we have to wait until the games to formulate an honest opinion. Think, that is directed just as much at the folks that don't want to give Brady a chance. You've got to open your mind when you tell someone else what they are thinking it's not always meant the way you think you understand it.
Dwayne
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
Portagelake...I've plus one'd many of your posts during the RR saga. I felt that RR didn't get a fair shake and that there were a fair number of Michigan fans (you might even call it a split) that judged and formed an opinion long before he coached his first game here. I was very critical of that approach and I think that you were, too. So what I don't understand is how you can now turn and start doing the same thing that you were so against just a few short months ago. Whether you agree with the hire or not, there is genuine excitement about him and it would not be difficult to support him. If you need to 'see' more before you can do that, just sit back patiently and wait to see it.
Dwayne
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
Portagelake...I've plus one'd many of your posts during the RR saga. I felt that RR didn't get a fair shake and that there were a fair number of Michigan fans (you might even call it a split) that judged and formed an opinion long before he coached his first game here. I was very critical of that approach and I think that you were, too. So what I don't understand is how you can now turn and start doing the same thing that you were so against just a few short months ago. Whether you agree with the hire or not, there is genuine excitement about him and it would not be difficult to support him. If you need to 'see' more before you can do that, just sit back patiently and wait to see it.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
@mission it's kind of funny reading your quotes. Actually at present everything you quoted me saying is the truth if you can open your mind to the truth. The guy has done nothing yet as head coach at Mich. so we don't know if this was a good hire, surely wasn't the best.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
@mission it's kind of funny reading your quotes. Actually at present everything you quoted me saying is the truth if you can open your mind to the truth. The guy has done nothing yet as head coach at Mich. so we don't know if this was a good hire, surely wasn't the best.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
@mission, Pay attention,I can only speak of Brady Hoke in terms of what I know and that is simply this, I haven't seen him coach a down at Mich. so to praise his average accomplishments as a head coach at small schools would be a waste of my time and yours. Did I think RR was treated bad at Mich. you bet, me and many others I have talked to and read about. Do I hope the guy does well, of course if he does well must mean Mich. is doing well. Do I like RR style of football better than Hoke, from what I know so far about Hoke style football I prefer RR's. Not everyone is thrilled with the way the RR situation was handled and I believe at best it was handled badly. If your going to quote someone don't forget to also get at the context of what a person is saying that is unless you have a negative agenda, do you?
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
@mission, Pay attention,I can only speak of Brady Hoke in terms of what I know and that is simply this, I haven't seen him coach a down at Mich. so to praise his average accomplishments as a head coach at small schools would be a waste of my time and yours. Did I think RR was treated bad at Mich. you bet, me and many others I have talked to and read about. Do I hope the guy does well, of course if he does well must mean Mich. is doing well. Do I like RR style of football better than Hoke, from what I know so far about Hoke style football I prefer RR's. Not everyone is thrilled with the way the RR situation was handled and I believe at best it was handled badly. If your going to quote someone don't forget to also get at the context of what a person is saying that is unless you have a negative agenda, do you?
missionbrazil
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.
Portage "With that said, I support Brady Hoke" Here is how you "support" someone?: "explain to me how this guy is so great I haven't seen it yet and his overall record isn't to impressive. I just can't get excited with him in fact read rensational's post I understood what she was getting at." "Let's all be real, the new coach doesn't exactly bring a great resume, I would say at best, decent." "Enjoy your moment in the sun Brady it won't last with the fickle fans of Mich. if you don't come out winning. 4-5 years!" "I don't have an especially good feeling about this hire (we settled for what we could get)" " I tried to picture him in my parents living room talking to my mom and dad. I think my mom would have been a bit leery of all the huggy bear love charm, my dad probably would have liked him as long as he talked straight and cut the love everything bull." "These Mich fans have blood-lust if they don't win and now. RR felt the venom and with all the love and charm that Brady went out of his way to express I suspect he knows he has entered a den of vipers should he not win fast enough." "We shall see, remember folks talking and doing are 2 different things. If we give him 4-5 years we could get back to playing decent football." I say you have a negative agenda because your guy RR was fired, and you try to hide it by saying "but I support the guy". But you don't fool anyone Portage... you are the worst kind of "hater", I mean "supporter", their is, because you claim to be a "supporter" and yet at the same time all's you do is rip and tear down.
missionbrazil
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.
Portage "With that said, I support Brady Hoke" Here is how you "support" someone?: "explain to me how this guy is so great I haven't seen it yet and his overall record isn't to impressive. I just can't get excited with him in fact read rensational's post I understood what she was getting at." "Let's all be real, the new coach doesn't exactly bring a great resume, I would say at best, decent." "Enjoy your moment in the sun Brady it won't last with the fickle fans of Mich. if you don't come out winning. 4-5 years!" "I don't have an especially good feeling about this hire (we settled for what we could get)" " I tried to picture him in my parents living room talking to my mom and dad. I think my mom would have been a bit leery of all the huggy bear love charm, my dad probably would have liked him as long as he talked straight and cut the love everything bull." "These Mich fans have blood-lust if they don't win and now. RR felt the venom and with all the love and charm that Brady went out of his way to express I suspect he knows he has entered a den of vipers should he not win fast enough." "We shall see, remember folks talking and doing are 2 different things. If we give him 4-5 years we could get back to playing decent football." I say you have a negative agenda because your guy RR was fired, and you try to hide it by saying "but I support the guy". But you don't fool anyone Portage... you are the worst kind of "hater", I mean "supporter", their is, because you claim to be a "supporter" and yet at the same time all's you do is rip and tear down.
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.
BluTpa good for you son speak your mind as I will mine. I thank my god everyday that I have the right to speak my mind regardless of what others think. With that said, I support Brady Hoke and wish him the best I just don't think we got the best coach for us, comprende?
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.
BluTpa good for you son speak your mind as I will mine. I thank my god everyday that I have the right to speak my mind regardless of what others think. With that said, I support Brady Hoke and wish him the best I just don't think we got the best coach for us, comprende?
Blu-n-Tpa
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
PnLk I have to???? how you describe yourself as a Michigan fan! If you can't/don't feel a charge out of this guy and his PC, and how he energize the crowd at the BB games vs OSU, how he knows about the BT, and how he was part of the coaching staff that won 4 BT rings and NC, which you think is the only important goal, and....(I just wanted to write a run-on sentence like some people do). Did you ever get stoked about last seasons wins in the BT? Anyway, I think we understand, you aren't going to get behind BH until he's been here 3 years and has won SEVEN BT games, and hopefully one of those will be against MSU/OSU. Then he will be your COACH too. OK, but you are going to get tired writing the same thing every time you post for the next 8 plus months. Go Blue!
Blu-n-Tpa
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
PnLk I have to???? how you describe yourself as a Michigan fan! If you can't/don't feel a charge out of this guy and his PC, and how he energize the crowd at the BB games vs OSU, how he knows about the BT, and how he was part of the coaching staff that won 4 BT rings and NC, which you think is the only important goal, and....(I just wanted to write a run-on sentence like some people do). Did you ever get stoked about last seasons wins in the BT? Anyway, I think we understand, you aren't going to get behind BH until he's been here 3 years and has won SEVEN BT games, and hopefully one of those will be against MSU/OSU. Then he will be your COACH too. OK, but you are going to get tired writing the same thing every time you post for the next 8 plus months. Go Blue!
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
I'm glad coach Hoke didn't predict a win over ohio state in November especially after we lost to them again last night. Maybe coach Belein and coach Hoke can colaborate and figure out how to beat ohio state. Hey Mr Postman, explain to me how this guy is so great I haven't seen it yet and his overall record isn't to impressive. I just can't get excited with him in fact read rensational's post I understood what she was getting at. He may have said lot's of things to make us all feel warm and fuzzy but he struck me as being very uncomfortable. Emotionless face, very nervous with his continuous need to drink water. I think he's very insecure about this job and the fans I support my theory by his continuous need to gush over his love of everything and everybody. I didn't hear Brady predict a win over ohio state this coming season I suspect Brady Hoke knows he's in for some dark days trying to appease the fickle fans of Mich.
D21
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.
Theo212 also was in the stands just behind Hoke with a love poem for King Hoke sign that puts Shakespeare to shame.
Jake
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 10:53 a.m.
The whole thing is, its good to bring the coach out against OSU. Kinda like saying, we are coming for you in football too. If you do it at halftime, most ppl are not around, at least doing it that early, all the energy is still high!
postman
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 9:36 a.m.
Being a both Ball State and a Michigan grad I know have the best of both worlds! Coach Hoke took BSU to heights its never been before and he will bring UM back to where it was when i was in grad school in the late 1960's and early 1970's. i do hope his offense is a bit more exciting than those days! Living in North Carolina and surrounded by OSU people has made it tough the last few years, but i have renewed optimism, BIG TIME! Also been impressed with the UM basketball team the last two outings, took highly ranked teams to the end. Better days are ahead! GO BLUE!
Big12Ten
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 8:31 a.m.
Um's rival is in town, and the new football coach who reminds the fan base that OSU is the most important game and yet some are disappointed Hoke came to the game last night? Give me a break! UM almost won that game because of the electric atmosphere. Even Beilein was impressed. Get off your hands and cheer...or move to Lansing or Columbus. Go Blue!
rensational
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 7:48 a.m.
His charisma kind of is quiet. I mean, if you watched the press conference...it's funny how some writers, columnists...whatever you want to call them...talked about his emotion. I find him rather emotionless, and he really didn't smile much in the press conference. If I didn't know better, I would have questioned the sincerity of everything he was saying, which was, more or less, everything most of us wanted to hear because it was generally words without feeling. But I DO know better, so...anyway, at least he doesn't look all whiney and pained all the time and isn't going to cry at banquets to Josh Groban like RR. So, yeah, that saying about going out and hiring the opposite of the previous coach seems to be pretty true in our case.
Blue
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 2:22 a.m.
I sorry aa.com My passion got the best of me. I jus want us all to be cheering for the same team and the same reasons again. My bad.
Blue
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 1:55 a.m.
Awright aa, you not be hatin. But don't bring a bunch of negative into a positive environment. We did that to the last guy an look where it got us. Have pride again. Be proud. We are once again all WOLVERINES! The Leaders And The Best. Nuff said. Be on everybody else side. Go Blue! No matter what. Half A** fan.
Blue
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 1:26 a.m.
Go Blue! In everything. AAreader go somewhere else. You a hater who be hatin. I know for a fact in September I'll be with 1*?000n sum THOUSAND lovers who'll be lovin. HAIL! HAIL!
1st Down
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
judging from the faces on those 2 coeds in the crowd in the pic above, perhaps they arent so happy about the sleevless armpit guy raising his arms so closely behind them... watching the game on BTN it was really nice to see the students support Hoke like that... Michigan went on a little run right after that too
aareader
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:16 p.m.
A little disappointed the AD chose to bring in Brady Hoke during the Basketball game while the team was in action. Talk about a disruption! At that point the interest should have been on basketball where Michigan was playing the #2 team in the country - OSU. I got the feeling the basketball players.. playing hard... were not that important. It would have been just as easy and MUCH MORE SPECTACULAR if Brandon had Brady Hoke enter during the first TV timeout. Otherwise.... it was a great event AND Michigan almost pulled off a super upset. It is too bad there is not a way to review some calls made by the gentleman in stripped shirts. Plus note: Denard R was spotted in the crowd with a BIG smile and a stand ovation. Hopefully he will stay.