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Posted on Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.

No. 1 jersey special in Michigan football, and soon No. 2 will be coveted, Brady Hoke says

By Kyle Meinke

CHICAGO —Brady Hoke has a long history with the Michigan football program, so he is deferent to the many longtime traditions of the Wolverines.

Now, he wants to start one of his own.

BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS

AnnArbor.com’s Kyle Meinke is covering the Big Ten media days in Chicago. See a compilation of his stories below and follow him on Twitter @kmeinke.

The first-year head coach said Friday at the Big Ten media days in Chicago he not only will continue the tradition of handing out the No. 1 jersey to Michigan’s top receiver, but hopes to institute a similar decorum for the No. 2 jersey.

He would like to save that number for Michigan’s top cornerback.

The No. 2 was worn by former Michigan star Charles Woodson, who in 1997 became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. He helped lead the Wolverines to a share of the national championship that year.

Hoke, who coached on that 1997 team’s defensive staff, was asked if any of Michigan’s talented wideouts would wear the No. 1 this year.

“No, they gotta earn it,” Hoke said. “And they’re going to have to earn No. 2, after (Vincent Smith) is gone.”

Smith is a junior running back.

Comments

kirkers

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.

I hardly follow the big sports but I really like everything I have heard from or about Brady Hoke. My guess is this kind of leadership will translate to game day victories. Great leaders get performance. Go Blue! I haven't said that for a while. Lol.

Hailmary

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 11:32 a.m.

I would like to see us win a few games and have at least 1 good year under Brady before we start chest thumping.

Blu-dogg97

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.

who is chest thumping here Mary ? I see it as motivating his players to play at the highest level,and gain the honor of wearing the #1 or #2 .. I'm optimistic !! I see a 5-0 start to the season.. but of course you and others will still have something negative to post.. GO BLUE..

semperveritas

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 1:24 p.m.

hail, mary ! a sensible response. NEVER has a coach been so canonized before coaching a game----of course, i do hope he wins each saturday.

Blu-dogg97

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 5:02 a.m.

Brady gets it ! and along the way he is motivating players to be they're best... GO BLUE..

Theo's Brother

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.

Number 1 is above the rest Number 2 is the all-time best Hoke's got a plan For Michigan And beating Sparty is part of the quest! I'm back guys! How's everyone been?

sedroc98

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 12:37 a.m.

Very cool. I was hoping they would retire the #2 and #21 jersy's, but thats a great honor. So does that mean the best special teams player get the #3 jersy?

David Vande Bunte

Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.

Fine, as long as the numbers aren't necessarily given out every year. The numbers should be reserved for someone truly special in each position, and certainly not to an incoming freshman. The #1 and #2 need to be EARNED on the field.

Blu-dogg97

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 5:05 a.m.

right on it David.. on the field ..