The new Michigan Man: A compilation of AnnArbor.com's coverage of the Brady Hoke hiring
Brady Hoke, right, his wife Laura, left, and their daughter Kelly sit courtside at Wednesday night's Michigan vs. Ohio State basketball game, hours after Brady was introduced as Michigan's new head football coach.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Updated 11:57 p.m.
It's been a whilrwind couple days for new Michigan football coach Brady Hoke, who received the job offer of his dreams on Tuesday morning in California and was still shaking hands and receiving ovations on Wednesday night at Crisler Arena.
AnnArbor.com has been following the story around the clock, too. For easier consumption, we present the following compilation of stories, photos and other Hoke-related information currently available on our website.
WEDNESDAY COVERAGE
• In our main story from Wednesday's introductory press conference, Pete Bigelow writes: Brady Hoke lands his dream job as coach of the Michigan football program.
• Hoke gets a standing ovation at Crisler Arena and makes an impression on John Beilein.
• Hoke brings intensity to rivalry games, especially against 'that school in Ohio'.
• Hoke's arrival sparks a Michigan football family reunion.
• Hoke makes strong first impression on Michigan players.
• For Hoke, recruiting process starts with Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.
• Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon outlines how his process led him to Hoke.
• Hoke earned respect and admiration from former Michigan football players.
• Video: Hoke is introduced as Michigan's new football coach.
• Video: Michigan football coach Brady Hoke is introduced to the Crisler Arena crowd.
• Video: Hoke reunites with Gary Moeller, glad to be back at Michigan.
• View from San Diego: Why does Hoke's hiring leave messy questions?
• Jeff Arnold compiled live updates from Wednesday's press conference.
• Mike Rothstein's live chat focused on the Hoke hiring, with a little Wolverines basketball thrown in. That transcript is available here.
• Photographers Melanie Maxwell and Lon Horwedel compiled the following images from Wednesday's press conference:
• Finally, our poll asked readers:
TUESDAY COVERAGE • 'Passionate, enthusiastic' Hoke named Michigan football coach.
• Michigan football players excited to meet their new coach.
• Video: Current Michigan players react to the hiring.
• Eastern Michigan coach Ron English believes Hoke is ready to tackle Michigan job.
• Looking back: Past Ann Arbor News columns give some insight into Hoke.
• SDSU offensive coordinator Al Borges expected to join Hoke at Michigan.
• Fans hail Brady Hoke's hiring as a return to 'The Victors.'
• What people are saying about Hoke across social media.
• Ex-Michigan assistants Calvin McGee, Tony Gibson land on Pitt staff.
• Les Miles plans to remain LSU's head football coach, university says.
• We asked the following poll question (log your vote, if you haven't already):
• People have used words like passionate, enthusiastic, motivational, intense, truthful and honest to describe Hoke. Apparently he also has a decent sense of humor, based on the following video clip. During Hoke's 12-1 season at Ball State in 2008, he made the following television appearance with Ball State's most famous alum:
Comments
Blue Marker
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 10:11 a.m.
@81wolverine, I'm giving the guy a chance. I stated I would support him. My problem with the hire is the scope seemed too limited. Brandon's "National" search consisted of people who had lived in Ann Arbor and loved Michigan. By that criteria I would be a good coach. (Sarcasm font) My point is when Michigan tried change it didn't work so now theyre desperately trying to get back to yester-year. Like a putt in golf...if you short the first one the next is bound to fly past the whole. If Denard Robinson does indeed stay as is being reported then Hoke has already done well. Also, getting a coach born in Ohio will help break down the wall Tressel had put up in recruiting. So I already see good things from Hoke and I hope to see a lot more. I want this hire to work out very badly. I am curious what UM has against Miles. I know he comes with baggage but between his record, his National Championship and the way LSU ripped OSU I'm amazed he wasn't hired.
81wolverine
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
Bluemarker: You can't equate the hiring of Hoke to going back to the football under Lloyd Carr. Just because the guy coached on the same staff doesn't at all mean he runs the team the same way and has the same offensive and defensive schemes. We all need to stop the hand-wringing and give the guy a chance to succeed. Trying to compare him to some other coach we may or may not have wanted is a waste of mental energy. Hoke is a VERY good recruiter. Aside from knowing the midwest, he also now has a lot of contacts on the west coast. That should help us bring in some more California kids. To me, that's great news.
81wolverine
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
Bluemarker: You can't equate the hiring of Hoke to going back to the football under Lloyd Carr. Just because the guy coached on the same staff doesn't at all mean he runs the team the same way and has the same offensive and defensive schemes. We all need to stop the hand-wringing and give the guy a chance to succeed. Trying to compare him to some other coach we may or may not have wanted is a waste of mental energy. Hoke is a VERY good recruiter. Aside from knowing the midwest, he also now has a lot of contacts on the west coast. That should help us bring in some more California kids. To me, that's great news.
zip the cat
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 8:49 a.m.
After watching him and hearing what he had to say,I'll back track a little and take back all the negative things I said about him on previous comments.
Mick
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 1:54 a.m.
Yo Dusty, Barwis is probably gonna be gone cause I believe Hoke is bringing the S&C Coach, Aaron Wellman w/him along w/Borges and the O-Line & D-Line coaches. So don't look so good for Barwis. Speaking of which, why do people fall over themselves about this Barwis guy? You asked me why I stated the waning part, ok, maybe they weren't winded, I wouldn't know I was always in my recliner watching you know? But they sure sucked towards the end of alot of crucial games and towards the ends of all 3 seasons, it's a fact, I saw it w/my own eyes and I beleive so did most people. I don't know what to tell ya man. BTW, I'm really glad they killed off the character "Bobby Bacala" on "The Sopranos", although I loved that character, but hey, at least we have him to coach UM Football team, heh? Am I right? Am I right?
Dusty
Thu, Jan 13, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
Where do you get that our teams "seemed to wane towards the end of games", Mick? The team often looked frustrated at the end of games, but you never saw players looking winded. Barwis is no joke, and it's probably why he wasn't fired along with the rest of the coaches.
maizenbluedoc
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
Semper Fi: I agree, it will take time for ANY coach to straighten this mess. I will support Hoke and give him the same time frame I gave RR (3 years) to improve the team. I believe he will. If not, Brandon made a huge mistake. Go Blue. /s/ Navy doc-FMF.
superbuck
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
blueinsc That Ball State team would have creamed the last 3 years Mich Team you have a lot to brag about. Coookies Rule
maxpowers
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
Tressell won championships @ youngstown state...there is no comparison. Hoke may end out being a good hire, but I don't believe you can compare him to Tressell.
SemperFi
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
If anyone thinks that BH isn't ready for the big stage, then ask yourself if Tressel was ready for OSU when he had never coached a game in div 1. BH's record isn't impressive overall because he takes bad teams and turns them into excellent teams. Go Blue!
Art
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
Dave, This guy can't win games and has a mediocre resume at best! His winning percentage is way lower than RR.484 percent. I'm glad he's a great guy and is loved by alums but is the best thing for Michigan football. Nice guys finish last!
Cash
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:15 a.m.
http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2011/01/greater_flint_afro-american_ha_1.html Good article regarding Fred.
michboy40
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:55 a.m.
By all accounts, Brady Hoke is a great coach. He is not as accomplished at this level as the first two choices, but that does not mean he will fail to bring Michigan back. One thing I don't understand is why everyone is pushing the "he's a Michigan Man" crap down my throat! Brady Hoke grew up in Dayton OH, went to college at Ball St., but loves the University of Michigan because he was an assistant here for 7 years. This makes him a Michigan Man? This absolves all possible short comings? RR loved Michigan too, so why isn't he a Michigan Man? I think this whole Michigan Man thing is a big crock of whooy! The bottom line for Rich Rod will be the same bottom line for Hoke, win, or be crucified by self serving media and maniacal fans.
J. Dean
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:28 a.m.
I don't like the choices for the poll. Hoke is a GOOD pick; he's not necessarily the GREATEST pick.
BlueInBama
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:59 a.m.
Superbuck, you are one sharp cookie.... Oh wait, the Letterman video with Hoke was taped back when he went 12-1 with Ball State...
Blue Marker
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:54 a.m.
Im very under whelmed by this hire. To me it was very reactionary. I didn't care for Martin as AD but he had the courage to try something new at Michigan when he hired RR. He tried to modernize Michigan football. Now, it either: A) Didnt work and blew up in his face Or B) RR wasn't given enough time to complete what he started. It doesn't matter to me which answer you think is correct. The point is this hire represents a regression to the old days of Carr. Coach Carr was a great guy but the program was slipping under his watch if you ask me. He was 1-5 vs. Tressel and MSU had already begun closing the gap (how many OT games did Carr coach vs. MSU?) Now UM has gone and hired a "Carr Man" and we're all supposed to be excited by that? I hope I'm so wrong. I would smile with delight while eating my crow. And I'll cheer and support the new coach when they come out from the tunnel in September. But this is a chicken hire. I'll make a bet that LSU wins another National Championship before Michigan makes a Big Ten Championship game. Any takers?
marlon glenn
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:48 a.m.
I would love a glass of this magical kool-aid! Yummie! :)
SemperFi
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:36 a.m.
After talking to my insider, who played with BH and knows him well and who worked with DB at Dominos, I am confident that BH was the primary target from the start. Michigan got the guy they were after. Remember when Michigan hired a no-name from Miami(Bo who?)? And yes, he can recruit. You just need to look at the quality players he was able to recruit to Ball State and SDSU to see that. Given the Michigan mystique, he will bring in the best in the nation. BH is a football guy who's players will run through walls for him. He is a football mind who knows how to coach. This is his dream job and he will become the next legendary coach in Michigan football annals. Go Blue!
superbuck
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 7:56 a.m.
Did you notice Mich didn't even get mentioned in the Letterman video?
Blu-n-Tpa
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 7:55 a.m.
As I stated yesterday morning, before LM decided to stay in BR/LA, I was disappointed that BH wouldn't get his shot at UM. Well, with a little misdirection, presdo-chango, ankle breaking head fake and viola, the new coach is Brady Hoke. And, I'm fine with it. It appears that what-you-see is indeed what-you-get with Coach Hoke. Walks, talks, looks, and acts like a football coach, and he come with an intense affection of Michigan. Now, some will say "oh, he's a Michigan Man." That not my point. You have to understand where you are and what's the expectations are before you can build on the foundation present. With a 131 year history, Michigan football has a huge "footprint" at the University and if you choose to ignore it, you do so at your own peril. Coach Hoke wont repeat that mistake. DB has complete step two in the 5 steps necessary to return Michigan to competitve BT football. The next three will be based on this decision and this coach. The first was obvious, fire RR. Second get a coach who can COACH and turn the program around. Next get the current players to see what the new coach brings for them. Four, at the same time get as good of a coaching staff has he can. And five, get out and recruit as well as you can until signing day. These are the facts: UM has a FOOTBALL COACH. The defense will be better. The special teams will be better. The players will play better. The team will be more competitve in every game. With all that the WINS will come. Go Blue!
superbuck
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 7:53 a.m.
Third choice again.
NoBowl4Blue
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 7:10 a.m.
Barwis has to go too much like Rich Rod. My biggest question about Hoke is can he recruit?
The Ben
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 6:43 a.m.
Hoke has a nice opportunity for a quick turnaround here, assuming he doesn't lose a bunch of guys to attrition. While the defense was awful last year, he has a ton of young, experienced players coming back. If these players actually receive competent coaching on that side of the ball, they could potentially improve more than any of us expect. On the offensive side, I believe that Hoke will be more willing to adapt to the talent that he is inheriting than RichRod was. And it's easier to use "spread players" for a pro-style offense than vice versa. Auburn and (barf) OSU are good examples of how you can utilize an athletic quarterback with a more traditional offense.
BlueGator
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 4:21 a.m.
@Mick wrote: "Under RR, our teams seemed to wane towards the end of games and towards the ends of all 3 seasons as well. Let alone get pushed around quite handily by teams we used to dominate pre-RR." I couldn't agree with you more. I never understood the Barwis mystique. His proclaimed ability to develop strength, speed and endurance never seemed evident on the football field. I sure hope early rumors are correct and Hoke is bringing his S&C coach, Aaron Wellman, with him from SDSU.
Mick
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.
When Hoke got the SDSU job a couple yrs ago, he stated that the Aztecs squad was the weakest physiacally that he had ever come across at the college level. Look what he accomplished with that weak squad in only his 2nd season. So let me ask the doubters this, how well trained do you think we're gonna be when Hoke has the facilities at UM at his disposal, huh? The same facilities that the administration spent all that money on for Mr. RichRod. All we heard about was how great Barwis was and how fit and strong we were going to be. How did that work out for us. Now, to me the jury is still out on Barwis, hopefully under BH, a real coach BTW, we will see better results. Under RR, our teams seemed to wane towards the end of games and towards the ends of all 3 seasons as well. Let alone get pushed around quite handily by teams we used to dominate pre-RR. We have hired a passionate, classy, dignified and U-M loving coach. We are gonna pulverize our opponents in the future. We will win next year and become elite very soon, mark my word. Don't be surprised if we win 9-10 regular season games next year. Go Blue!!!