Brady Hoke named Michigan coach

[elcheato]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon announced today (Tuesday, Jan. 11) the hiring of Brady Hoke as the 19th coach in the 131-year history of Michigan football. Hoke arrives in Ann Arbor after spending the past eight seasons as a head coach at Ball State (2003-08) and San Diego State (2009-10).

"We are pleased to announce the hiring of Brady," said Brandon. "He is a terrific coach and will be a great ambassador and leader for our football program. We look forward to having him build a championship program on the field and in the classroom."

Hoke spent eight seasons in Ann Arbor before embarking on his head coaching career. He mentored the Wolverines defensive line all eight seasons, a group that helped Michigan rank annually among the nation's best in rushing and total defense. Hoke coached three linemen to All-America honors during his tenure -- William Carr (1996), Glen Steele (1997) and Rob Renes (1999) -- and had five players earn first-team All-Big Ten accolades.

A member of Michigan's staff during its 1997 national championship season, Hoke helped the defense lead the nation in rushing defense at 89 yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry. Michigan's team posted 5-3 records against Michigan State, Ohio State and in bowl games during Hoke's tenure on the staff.

Hoke was named the 2010 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Aztecs to a 9-4 overall record and 5-3 conference mark. He led SDSU to its first bowl game in 12 years, a 35-14 victory over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. Six of his players earned first-team All-MWC honors in 2010, including running back Ronnie Hamilton, the league's freshman of the year. In his first season at San Diego State, Hoke had five players named to All-MWC teams, while 11 players were MWC All-Academic selections.

Hoke took the leadership position at his alma mater, Ball State, in 2003 and built it into a championship program before departing after six seasons for the West Coast. He mentored players to 35 All-MAC selections in six years en route to a pair of bowl game appearances in 2007 and '08. The 2008 season marked the best season in program history, as the Cardinals tallied a school-record 12 wins and completed an undefeated Mid-American Conference regular season. His team won the West Division championship in 2008 and shared the division crown in 2007.

Hoke has 28 years of collegiate experience, with assistant coaching stints at Grand Valley State (1983), Western Michigan (1984-86), Toledo (1987-88), Oregon State (1989-94) and Michigan (1995-2002).

A 1982 graduate of Ball State University, Hoke earned four letters (1977-80) with the Cardinals. He was part of the only two teams in school history to post undefeated conference seasons: as a player in 1978 and as head coach in 2008. Hoke led BSU to the 1978 MAC championship, and as a team captain in 1980 earned All-MAC second team honors.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Hoke graduated from Fairmont East High School in 1977. Hoke and his wife, the former Laura Homberger, have one daughter, Kelly.

Brandon will formally introduce Hoke at a press conference Wednesday (Jan. 12) at 1 p.m. EST. The media opportunity will be held at the Junge Family Champions Center located between the Michigan Stadium and Crisler Arena tunnels. The press conference is not open to the public. Both Brandon and Hoke will be unavailable for media interviews until tomorrow's press conference.

 

[DJT]

Just saw this, seems like they were pretty high on him. Don't think this team will have a miraculous turnaround though. Its gonna take a while.

 

[RipCity32]

YAY FOR MORE SPREAD OFFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[A.E]

Plan freaking "D" for Michigan. I can't agree with bringing in another spread guy but at this point, what other option do they have? On one hand, the spread offense just doesn't cut it in the smash-mouth Big 10...but on the other hand, Rich Rodriguez already spent a lot of time turning over that roster into a spread-based offense.

Brady Hoke is essentially going from the MAC to the Big 10, awfully large jump. I hope it works out for him...but the University has made it clear that they don't have the patience for anymore projects. For what they get in Hoke...Michigan might as well have gave Rich Rod another season and waited for some better candidates to appear.

 

[elcheato]

Not trying to say it's going to work out like this, but the Buckeyes hired Jim Tressel from a Division 2 school.. You never know where the great ones come from.

 

[A.E]

Not trying to say it's going to work out like this, but the Buckeyes hired Jim Tressel from a Division 2 school.. You never know where the great ones come from.

Oh I agree, you never know, and I'm not saying Brady Hoke is a bad coach...I just think that for what they're getting, they might as well have left Rich Rod in place for another season.

 

[DannyColtsBro]

Fuck Rich Rod, I'm glad Brady is in here instead of that moron. Sure recruiting might be slower, but I HATE Rich Rod. I don't mind the move. I hope we can bring a real defense back with him.

 

[DannyColtsBro]

I think Michigan football is gonna be back. Can't wait till all the haters crawl in their little ass hole again.

 

[Lake Louise]

I don't mind this. Yeah, he wasn't there first choice, but he was a choice of theirs. I didn't expect them to jump right into success. I was expected it'd take about another 3 years. That's the thing with Michigan. Patience is not the forte. They want success, and they want it now. It's become that kind of spoiled attitude. I'm not saying I don't want Michigan to do well. Obviously, I do. It's just I wasn't all that upset with the Rich Rod years. If he won 1 or 2 games against Ohio State or Michigan State, he'd be back for a 4th year. Those games decide their careers. Success against rivals is what matters. He didn't have it. Hopefully Hoke can change that.

 

[DannyColtsBro]

We need to start playing smashmouth Michigan football again.

 

[RipCity32]

We aren't going to be smash-mouth with another spread offense coach..
I don't plan to see any great improvement.

 

[DannyColtsBro]

We aren't going to be smash-mouth with another spread offense coach..
I don't plan to see any great improvement.

We are gonna see huge improvements defensively, I can guarantee that.

 

[RipCity32]

I believe I read that San Diego's defense was worse that ours..

 

[DannyColtsBro]

I believe I read that San Diego's defense was worse that ours..

Look dude I don't like the spread either, but Hoke will be better than Bitch Rod. He's a defensive minded guy, and I like that.

 

[RipCity32]

I'll believe it when I see it, that's all I'm saying.

I don't hate the guy, but he is going to have to prove a lot of fans wrong.