What does it take for Michigan coach Brady Hoke to forgo short sleeves on the sidelines?
Graphic by Rich Rezler
Blue pants, black belt. Blue shirt, with a bit of maize. And short sleeves.
Always short sleeves. No sweatshirts. No rain gear.
Is it a sign of toughness? If so, Michigan might be 3-2 over its last five games, but Hoke is 5-0 against rival coaches. Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Danny Hope (Purdue), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Ron Zook (Illinois) and Bo Pelini (Nebraska) all sported long sleeves in their games against Michigan.
If Hoke ever donates his Michigan gear to the Salvation Army, as Rich Rodriguez did in January, it's going to be a small pile of clothing.
Rain? Hoke gets wet. A little chilly? Still short sleeves, even if he does layer a bit under it. Even if it snows, Hoke says he won't change.
“Practice, games, I like to wear shorts if they let me," Hoke said. "I have a lot of insulation, so I don’t get cold.”
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was asked if there was a specific temperature that would force Hoke to put on a jacket.
"No, no, no, no. He's a tough guy, and that's how this team has to be," he said. "We have to be tough, just like him. And me, coming from Florida, I don't want to wear sleeves either."
And on those rare occasions you see Hoke in a suit at a press conference? Only because he has to.
“Look, I have a hard time putting a coat and tie on," Hoke said. "I don’t really enjoy doing that. It has nothing to do with anything, but I’m comfortable in what I’m coaching in.”
Don't expect Hoke's look to change Saturday for the Ohio State at Michigan football game (Noon, ABC). The game-time temperature is forecast to be 53 degrees, warmer than many games this season.
Naturally, this calls for a poll:
Comments
OkBlue
Sat, Nov 26, 2011 : 8:01 a.m.
Honestly, who cares if he is wearing short sleeves.
Larry Weisenthal
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
Woody --> <a href="http://www.buckeyemall.com/DisplayDetail.aspx?pid=453054850" rel='nofollow'>http://www.buckeyemall.com/DisplayDetail.aspx?pid=453054850</a>
rightmind250
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
Everybody knows the media's role in running Richrod out of town, so they are going to go to extremes to make sure they don't report anything that could be mistaken for controversy. Don't suggest a weight loss my cause him to where short sleaves. Hell, right now Brady could rob a bank in downtown ann arbor with Kyle Meinke standing behind him in line and he would swear he didn't recognize him.
johnnya2
Sat, Nov 26, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
The media coached the team to the worst three season stretch in HISTORY? The team got progressively worse through the season because of the media? I challenge anybody who blames the media for ANYTHING, why? Rich Rod was a dream for a reporter. he brought controversy. Controversy sells. Brady Hoke is the least controversial football coach ever. He does not have the larger than life personality of Bo, or the gruffness of Lloyd. Wearing shirt sleeves in 40 degree weather may be the most compelling story about Brady other than he is a WINNER. By the way, the right-wingers also scream about the so-called liberal media bias. What benefit is the bias for them? Oh that;s right, because liberal policies WORK, and as citizens intelligent educated people the media realizes it.
A2comments
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
Brought a smile to my face...
Rufus
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
It's a humorous story. If Michigan fans don't have a sense of humor, coach Hoke started cheating, and they lower the entrance standards- we'd be just like Ohio fans.
Pablo
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
WOW! This must be a really slow news day! Can your writer tell us: > how long he takes to brush his teeth (we see them, too), > if he really "closes cover before striking," > which pant leg he puts in first (we see those, too), > etc. Thanks for the hard-hittin' story.
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 8:25 p.m.
Good grief!!! Who cares what the man wears? He's coaching a football team, not making a fashion statement.
tmad40blue
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 8:15 p.m.
Who cares?
58-44-6
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
The SEC is the dominant Conference in the country, I don't like that...
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
What does that have to do with the topic?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
. . . because they cheat. GN&GL
Keith
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
I think the second poll will be: When will Brady switch to a different style T-shirt.... As long as they keep winning I dont care about these stupid and meaningless polls. Beat O.hi.o and & go Blue!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 6:17 p.m.
I think he's channeling his inner Woody. Good Night and Good Luck
johnnya2
Sat, Nov 26, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.
In any other thread that would be dirty.
1st Down
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 11:51 p.m.
inner woody?
BornInA2
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 5:45 p.m.
Last winter I saw Brady in Hell (MI) when it froze over. He was wearing shorts, his Meeeechigan short-sleeves, and flip flops. Go Blue!
JustMyOpinion
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
He's a big guy, he's probably hot and doesn't like sleeves than don't ever fit quite right. I am also married to a big guy - he similarly hates sleeves and produced a lot of his own internal heat. Jeezopete - you are getting close to nagging the man.