Payback time? A look at a few of Brady Hoke's former stars turned adversaries
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke wasn't at San Diego State long.
He left the sunny beaches of southern California via text message for the lure of fall Saturdays in Ann Arbor after two seasons. The move sent Kyle Turley into a tirade, and gave Wolverine fans a coach that already knew how to sing "The Victors."
Hoke spent 755 days with the Aztec program, coached 25 games and took five assistant coaches with him when he exited stage east.
But on the field? The cupboard Hoke left behind was far from bare.
On Saturday, he'll get to see the fruits of that 755-day tenure at SDSU first hand, from the other sideline.
Here are a few of Hoke's former proteges turned adversaries.
Ryan Lindley
Senior quarterback
6-4, 230 (Alpine, Calif.)
2011 stats: 44-for-82, 622 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception.
San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley has seven touchdown passes this season.
Associated Press
In July, Lindley was rated by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. as the top senior quarterback prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft. Lindley is currently rated as the sixth-best quarterback prospect for the 2012 draft, higher than any other signal caller Michigan will face this season.
Breakout game under Hoke:
Oct. 24, 2009: San Diego State 42, Colorado State 28
Lindley started 11 games a freshman in 2008 before Hoke's arrival, and was actually voted as the team's offensive MVP. He was putting up solid numbers for a youngster, but the team wasn't winning.
Part of that started to shift on the road in Fort Collins, Colo., when Lindley not only put up gaudy numbers (459 passing yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions), but the team also erased a 21-7 halftime deficit on its way to victory.
A sophomore at the time, Lindley threw five touchdown passes in the second half, and the Aztecs outscored CSU 35-7 in the final 30 minutes.
SDSU would finish 4-8, but Hoke's squad appeared to find its offensive identity. A year later, Lindley threw for 3,830 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Hoke quote:
"No. Hell, no." — Hoke's response in the San Diego Union-Tribune to a 2009 question of whether or not he had lost confidence in Lindley, then a sophomore, as his starting quarterback after he had committed five turnovers in an ugly loss to Air Force a day prior.
Ronnie Hillman
Sophomore running back
5-9, 190 (La Habra, Calif.)
2011 stats: 77 carries, 497 yards, eight touchdowns; six catches, 53 yards.
San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman has 497 rushing yards this season.
Associated Press
How's this for a coincidence: On Sept. 14, 1991, future NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk burst onto the scene at San Diego State, rushing for 386 yards and seven touchdowns in an Aztec victory over Pacific. That same day, in Long Beach, Calif., Ronnie Hillman was born.
Breakout game under Hoke: Sept. 18, 2010: Missouri 27, San Diego State 24
Though it came in a loss, the college football world was first introduced to Ronnie Hillman during a narrow Aztec road loss to Missouri last season.
After being forced to sit out the 2009 season due to an SAT score dispute with the school (he actually spent time waiting tables at a Georgia Applebee's during that season), Hillman proved to be more than worth the wait against the Tigers, rushing for 228 yards on 23 carries and scoring on runs of 75 and 93 yards in the loss.
Hillman really hasn't slowed since. He had rushing games of 191, 151 and 152 yards throughout the rest of the regular season in 2010, and capped the year with a 228-yard, three-touchdown performance in SDSU's Poinsettia Bowl win against Navy.
Through three games this season, he's the nation's third-leading rusher, and he's a player that Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison calls "the toughest back we've played, without a doubt."
Hoke quote:
I won’t apologize for it. He’s a young kid; sometimes young kids need advice. I’m protecting this kid because I love him. I want to spread it around. There are other guys on this team that can use exposure. I think we have to be cautious." — Hoke to the San Diego Union-Tribune after he refused to allow Hillman to speak with the media following his coming out party against Missouri in 2010.
Miles Burris
Senior linebacker
6-3, 235 (Granite Bay, Calif.)
2011 stats: 16 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one fumble recovery
Factoid
Miles Burris is a good college linebacker. That's only part of his story. A business management major at San Diego State, Burris was named the school's 2010 Male Student-Athlete of the Year. He's also a three-time member of the Mountain West Conference all-academic team.
Breakout game under Hoke: Nov. 6, 2010: San Diego State 24, Colorado State 19
Already one of the team's best defenders, Burris made sure he was mentioned as one of the MWC's best defenders after a monster game that saw him do just about everything for the Aztec defense.
Burris posted a career-high 10 tackles, made four stops for loss, racked up two sacks and forced two fumbles as SDSU held Colorado State under 300 yards on the day.
He finished the season as a first-team All-MWC linebacker, as selected by the coaches, and was named the team's 2010 co-defensive player of the year. Burris finished the year with 80 tackles, 20 of which came for a loss, and a league-leading 9 1/2 sacks.
Hoke quote:
"He's not just a 'sic 'em' guy. That comes with maturity and experience and understanding your role in the defense. He's getting better." — Hoke to the San Diego Union-Tribune on Burris' development, and ability to harness his aggression on the field.
Jerome Long
Senior defensive end
6-5, 285 (Los Osos, Calif.)
2011 stats: 18 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks
Factoid
Way before he became a big factor in Hoke's much-improved defensive line, Long was a standout high school wrestler at Morro Bay High School in California. Wrestling as a heavyweight, Long racked up three league championships before heading to SDSU to play football.
Breakout game under Hoke: Sept. 11, 2010: San Diego State 41, New Mexico State 21
When Hoke arrived at SDSU in 2009, the lack of production from his defensive line was an issue. Hoke didn't hire a defensive line coach, he did it himself. And in time, the group improved. Long was no exception.
Long finished with eight tackles and a sack during a 2010 win at New Mexico State.
The stellar defensive line play continued from there, as Long and company finished the season with 95 tackles for loss and 28 sacks. Far better than the 2009 season, where they racked up 64 tackles for loss and 19 sacks.
Hoke quote:
"I've always been a guy who has been hands-on. I'm coaching the defensive line because it's something I've always liked to do. I'm not real good at being a head coach who just gets out there and walks around the field. I need to be active; I need to stay involved." — Hoke to the San Diego Union-Tribune on his choice to double as the team's head coach and defensive line coach.
Colin Lockett
Sophomore wide receiver
6-0, 175 (Diamond Bar, Calif.)
2011 stats: 12 catches, 254 yards, two touchdowns; 287 kick return yards, 94-yard kickoff return touchdown.
Factoid
Lockett may be San Diego State's best wide receiver, but that wasn't supposed to be the case when Hoke signed him as part of his first recruiting class in 2009. Lockett was brought to SDSU as a defensive back, and after redshirting in 2009, he made eight stops in 11 games for Hoke last season. But with the Aztecs short on wide receivers entering this year, new coach Rocky Long swapped Lockett over to wide receiver after spring drills had ended. It was something that Hoke called "a good move" earlier this week, and one that's paying off for the Aztecs.
Breakout game under Hoke:
Lockett really never had a major impact during Hoke's tenure at SDSU, as he was used mostly on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2010.
Lockett's biggest game to date came in week two this season against Army, when he officially became the team's top receiving target with a five-catch, 122-yard, one-touchdown performance in a 23-20 road win. On the game's opening possession, Lockett made Rocky Long look like a genius, hauling in a 68-yard touchdown pass and officially putting his defensive back days behind him.
A week earlier, he showed off his high-level speed with a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown during the late stages of a blowout win over Cal Poly.
Hoke quote:
“Colin is a tremendous athlete. His brother plays at UCLA. He is another guy that will strike you.” — Hoke in an official SDSU release after signing Locket in 2009. Lockett's brother Bret, was most recently a safety for the New England Patriots in 2010. He has since been released.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
bill tapp
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
"Brakeout" games against the likes of Colorado State and New Mexico State don't get me all tingly! SDSU has been a loosing program for years, despite the fact they have had some talented players pass through the portals. Sure they come close now and then but always find a way to loose against the better programs. Heck, even during Marshall Faulk's time they made it to one now defunct bowl game and got beat! They had a winning record last year, not so much as a result of anything that Brady Hoke did, but because they softened the schedule out of desperation to get to a bowl game for the first time in ages. They made their hay last year by defeating the UNLVs, New Mexico States, Colorado States and Wyomings of the world. Every top team they played last year beat them. TCU, BYU, Utah, Missouri. Yes, they did win the bowl game the Poinsetia Bowl. This bowl was started by city leaders specifically for SDSU but the ghastly Aztecs could never win the six games necessary to qualify, until last year that is. Since San Diego is a Navy town, Navy was invited and their small, slow secondary was easy pickinns for the Aztecs. Unless their is a special event like a concert or a fireworks show the Aztecs routinely play in front of "crowds" of 10 to 15 thousand in their 50,000 seat stadium! Up until they beat Washington State last week thay had never defeated a school from a BCS conference and had lost 19 straight times to PAC 10 schools. In a nut shell this school knows how to loose with the best of them. Army would have beaten them this year if their QB had been in for the final drive. It would be truely humiliating if the proud and legendary Wolverines actually loose to a school of this caliber. USC they ain't!
XTR
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
That ND team beat MSU bigtime with the same turnovers. lolz This team is good but they are not ND- Michael Floyd and Cierre Woods combo. They are closer to Western Michigan U who has a stud QB that was blitzed hard by the Michigan Defense. Plus, this team is the product of Brady and Borges, they know this team by the individual and they know how to control this team.
mark mumford
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.
The players that lead this AZTECS squad were on Montezuma Mesa long before the Lump and the Penguin (Hoke &Borges). they're sort of like Oates & Oates, with no Hall...
The1Cool
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
I'm just not buying this Lindley guy's hype. The stats he has (especially considering the competition) are not impressive. Just barely over 50% completion percentage? Maybe it's due to inexperienced WRs. If he was going against RRs passive 3-3-5 then he'd likely have a huge day. But against Mattison's "screw that we're blitzing" Defense we will force some turnovers.
mark mumford
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
At SDSU we will someday reflect back on this game as Tight End Saturday. Best of luck to the overmatched Wolverines D...
MRunner73
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.
A very inofrmative article. The Vegas folks got it right for the first time in the EMU match up on the point spread. Assuming they are getting it right, I would think Mich may not cover the 9.5 spread. Hadn't checked the latest line and wouldn't be surprised if it drops to 6.5 or 7.5. This should be close game but Michigan has a few advantages; Brady Hoke and Al Borgess are very familiar with the SDSU offense,. They can compare and contrast the 2011 SDSU team versus last year. The noon kick off time is only 9 AM West Coast time (may not sound like a big deal to some). Nothing like the home crowd. The feedback from Hoke and Borgess to DC Greg Mattison will also be an advantage. The question is can the Michigan defense stop big plays? Let's hope we can find a similar success with our blitz packages as we did against WMU. That will significant. Bottom line: A big test for the Wolverines, could be a nail biter. The over and under line is 57 points, would expect the final score to be over. Something like the Notre Dame score would be probable. GO BLUE!!!
RJ12688
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
UM needs to come out and hang some points up in the 1st quarter. Get some points on the board, and hopefully that means Hillman get less carries. It doesnt seem like they have a stud WR, so hopefully UM can bring some heat on passing situations and cause a few more turnovers.
chiro19
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.
I made this point yesterday. SDSU's offense is not in the same league as ND's, its not even close. Carder is a better qb, he has a better QB rating this year playing against better teams than SDSU. SDSU's D is not good and Michigans offense should have a good day of working the kinks out. SDSU's O line is no where near the O line mich faced against ND! Martin and Roh have big games and pressure the QB all day forcing him to throw multiple picks. If mich gets the ball first the game wont be close, if SDSU gets the ball first it will be close for one quarter. This sounds exactly like the Western preview and the Eastern preview and look at what happened. I also expect Mich to win the turnover battle +2-3 for the day. If you go from position to position michigan is a better team except at running back and I think that is a lot closer than fokes are making it out to be. This is mostly a coaching manuever to get everyone focused on tomorrows game and not look forward to Minnesota. Prediction: SDSU is a 9.5 dog and I would put a large wager on Michigan if I lived in Vegas! It may not look like it after the first 8 minutes but it will when Devin is getting some reps at the start of the 4th quarter. Michigan has multiple players that have been called out in the last few weeks and I expect that they will be very sharp and play very well this week (Denard passing, Roh and Martin).
mark mumford
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Learning something everyday is a solid goal. You will be enlightened on Saturday. Enjoy the lesson...
XTR
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 12:27 p.m.
Nice storyline! People will get fired up for sure! But this team is not ND. lol
mark mumford
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
You are correct sir! The AZTECS are not Notre Dame. They are much better...
Rufus
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
Michigan is going to need their best game to beat SDSU. I hope Denard starts taking snaps in the shotgun from the start, To me the D seems a little better than last year (maybe 25%). It's gonna be a good one.
heartbreakM
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
Hillman and their QB sound like they will be a handful. Hillman will get his yards. Key will be keeping position and keeping in front of him, not allowing him to bust out. Based on 1st quarter EMU and the entire ND game, I am not altogether hopeful though.
Blu n Tpa
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 10:59 a.m.
As Michigan plays better teams, and by that I mean teams with better players with more experienced coaches, the pucker factor becomes more pronounced. This SDSU teams gives me that feeling. Michigan is going to have to come out ready to play and play well. The Aztecs look like Illinois with a solid backfield that has a lot of "been there and done that" and they are playing with confidence. This will be a good test before the BT starts. Michigan has holes in their lineup and there is a discontect in the offense from where they are and where they want to be. I understand that everybody with a football IQ over room temperature know this so to win this game the Wolverines have to do the Mattison two step. Win the turn-over battle, again, and don't give up the big play. TiM Go Blue!