Brady Hoke : All posts

What did you think of the Michigan football segment on '60 Minutes'?

The Michigan football team takes the field before the game against Northwestern on Nov.10.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

'60 Minutes' segment featuring U-M football in Ann Arbor airs Sunday night

The Michigan football team takes the field before the game against Northwestern on Nov.10.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

University of Michigan football fans will want to tune into the CBS News program “60 Minutes” Sunday.

photo gallery: Images from Brady Hoke's Alabama game week press conference

We're only five days from the Cowboy Classic in Arlington, Texas where the Michigan football team will take on defending national champion Alabama. Michigan coach Brady Hoke addressed the media on Monday from the Junge Family Champions Center for his first game week press conference of the season.

Brady Hoke says he 'failed as a head coach' in 2011, emphasizes Big Ten title or bust again in 2012

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke says he 'failed as a head coach' in 2011, and remains focused solely on the Big Ten title in 2012.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

He had three more wins than Bo Schembechler earned during his first season, two more than both Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr and became the first Wolverine coach since Fielding H. Yost (in 1901) to record 11 victories in his debut season.

On paper, it was spectacular.

In Hoke's brain, though, it was a dud.

"We failed, because I failed as a head coach," Hoke said of his 2011 campaign Sunday at the team's annual media day event. "We have to do a better job of coaching and preparing those guys on a weekly basis on how we're going to play the game of football."

Craig Roh's olive oil milkshakes and peace of mind have him ready for the 2012 Michigan football season

Of all the tasking sacrifices Craig Roh made this summer, altering his diet was perhaps the biggest undertaking.

Roh, a senior Michigan football defensive end, took the traditional steps of eating more vegetables and focusing on protein, but in order to get into supreme shape he had to go one step further.

One giant, borderline disgusting, step further.

Michigan football fans: Brady Hoke's decision not to recruit Penn State players is a tricky issue

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke has decided not to recruit current Penn State players, a stance fans seem split on.

AnnArbor.com file photo

Illinois sent eight coaches to State College for recruiting purposes, and star running back Silas Redd reportedly hosted USC coach Lane Kiffin for an in-home visit on the same day that PSU boss Bill O'Brien fielded hundreds of questions about his program's future in Chicago.

Most coaches seemed to have differing philosophies on how to handle the issue of recruiting current athletes on the Penn State roster, but Brady Hoke's seemed to be a bit different.

The Michigan football coach left little up for debate. He and his staff discussed the situation, and came to the conclusion that they'd be staying out of the raid on PSU players altogether.

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke is used to prime time, but remains cautious of night games

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke has had great success at night over the years. But that doesn't mean he likes playing under the lights.

AnnArbor.com file photo

During his debut season as the Michigan football coach, Hoke's Wolverines took center stage under the lights for night time kickoffs twice during the regular season and again during the Sugar Bowl. He went 3-0.

In his final season at Ball State, the Cardinals kicked off after dark a total of nine times during the regular season. That year, Hoke went 9-0.

In 2012, the Wolverines already have three scheduled night games (vs. Alabama, at Notre Dame, at Nebraska) and Hoke said last week he believes Michigan will end up with four nighttime contests. He's used to it. But he still doesn't like it.

"We have a pretty good blueprint and formula of what we do to help the guys as much as anything," Hoke said last week during the Big Ten media days in Chicago. "But it's a long day.

"And it is an issue."

Brady Hoke won't give hints on 'Michigan Legend' jersey recipients, but does like the concept

Four members of the current Michigan football team could have the opportunity to honor legends of Wolverine past this season.

One will be wide receiver Roy Roundtree. The other three? That's still up in the air.

In May, Michigan announced that Roundtree would wear the No. 21 jersey of "Michigan Football Legend" Desmond Howard next season. Shortly thereafter, the school announced it would be un-retiring and recirculating Ron Kramer's No. 87, Gerald Ford's No. 48 and Bennie Oosterbaan's No. 47 beginning this fall.

Brady Hoke unaffected by rising expectations for Michigan football team

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke addresses reporters Thursday near the Big Ten championship trophy he hopes to win in December.

Associated Press

Expectations.

The Wolverines went 11-2 in coach Brady Hoke's debut season. With star senior quarterback Denard Robinson among the 15 starters who return from that squad, big things are expected this year.

Michigan was named the favorite to win the Big Ten championship in a recent media poll -- a nod of respect to the once-troubled program. What does Hoke think of it?

"Not much," he said this week at the Big Ten media days in Chicago. "I think we were picked fifth in our division a year ago. I think the 1997 team, I think preseason was picked right inside the top 25 by a lot of people -- and that ended up being a pretty good football team.

"We don't put too much stock in that. It's like anything in life, it's not where we start but where we finish."

Michigan coach Brady Hoke happy he was able to share a special 2011 season with his father

CHICAGO -- John Hoke only got one year to see his son fulfill a lifelong dream.

But what a year it was.

John, the father of the second-year Michigan football coach Brady Hoke, passed away in March -- just 14 months after watching his son become the face of the Wolverine program.

While it's no doubt unfortunate that Hoke's father won't get to see how his career in Ann Arbor unfolds over the years, he says he's pleased he was able to create so many lasting memories with his dad during the one season he was able to witness.

Michigan football team 'not worried' about playing Michigan State, more focused on overall improvement

The Michigan football team isn't happy about its losing streak to Michigan State, but it isn't obsessing over it either.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

During the first session of the Big Ten media days in Chicago on Thursday, coach Brady Hoke and his three player representatives were given multiple opportunities to express their thoughts on whether or not the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has hit an all-time high in terms of intensity.

And virtually every time, the Wolverine contingent brushed it off.

"Right now, I'm thinking about winning summer camp, being the best I can be for this team right now," Michigan senior quarterback Denard Robinson said. "I'm not thinking about Michigan State. I'm thinking about being the best quarterback (I can be).

"I'm not worried about playing Michigan State."

updated: Brady Hoke: No decision made on eligibility of Fitz Toussaint, Frank Clark for Alabama game

This story was updated at 2:55 p.m. to include quotes from Brady Hoke and Denard Robinson.

CHICAGO -- Michigan football coach Brady Hoke says no decision has been made whether suspended players Fitz Toussiant and Frank Clark will play in the season opener against Alabama.

Toussaint, the Wolverines' projected starting tailback, was arrested last weekend and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Clark, a starting candidate at defensive end, was arrested in June and charged with second-degree home invasion. He's accused of stealing a laptop from a campus dorm.

"Right now, they're indefinitely suspended," Hoke said. "They will pay the price for poor judgments, which a lot of 18- to 23-year-old kids make, and then we'll make a decision down the road."

Hoke said he has not yet decided whether either player will practice. Camp is set to open Aug. 6.

Michigan would miss either player if he can't play in the opener Sept. 1 against Alabama. The Crimson Tide are the reigning national champion.

They also fielded the nation's No. 1 defense last year, and were No. 1 against the run, so the loss of Toussaint -- who was a 1,000-yard rusher in his first year as the starter last season -- would be particularly poignant.

What will go into the decision to allow Toussaint and Clark to practice?

"Them meeting the standards we want (from) a Michigan football player," Hoke said. "There are consequences they will be working through right now.

"It's an educational process guys go through. They're paying a price for it, because there's consequences."

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, the other leg of the Wolverines' two-headed rushing duo, said he fully supports Toussaint and Clark.

"They're my brothers," he said. “I’m going to be there through thick and thin. Whatever they need, I’ll be there for them.”

“They’ve got to know that we’re a family, we’re not going to let them down, we’re never going to let them go. Those will be my brothers forever.”

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke on Joe Paterno: 'It's just sad and unfortunate on all levels'

Brady Hoke said former Penn State coach Joe Paterno's role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal is "just sad and unfortunate on all levels."

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke understands the fleeting nature of success, which is why he remains guarded even after guiding the Wolverines to an 11-2 record in his debut season.

He's cited the reported rampant drug use at UCLA and array of misconduct at North Carolina as examples. And now, he has another after the spectacular fall of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

With poll: Michigan football over-under: Will the Wolverines' defense be as stout in 2012?

Can Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison take their defensive turnaround one step further in 2012?

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Numerically speaking, the Wolverines' one-year defensive transformation was borderline stupefying.

From 2010 to 2011, Michigan cut its points per game allowed in half, gave up 1,672 fewer yards, recovered 13 more fumbles, added seven more sacks and allowed 30 -- yes, 30 -- fewer touchdowns.

So, Greg Mattison, about that encore?

Best football job in the Big Ten? ESPN says Ohio State is No. 1, Michigan No. 2

ESPN.com says Ohio State is the best coaching job in the Big Ten, followed by Michigan at No. 2.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

But which football spot is better? Michigan or Ohio State?

On the field, the Wolverines lead the Buckeyes 58-44-6. But, according to ESPN.com, that doesn't matter.

In terms of the best job in the Big Ten, ESPN says Ohio State is No. 1 and Michigan is No. 2.

Dave Brandon says Brady Hoke loves the idea of opening 2015 season on Thursday night

Story has been corrected with proper time zone information.

For the first time in Michigan football history, the Wolverines will kick off a game on a Thursday night.

Michigan will open the 2015 season at Utah on Thursday, Sept. 3 -- something that's uncharted territory for the program and its fans, but perhaps the team's most important person is a big, big fan of the concept.

That person? Brady Hoke, of course.

"He loved it," Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon told AnnArbor.com on Wednesday. "The game is before school starts, it's got zero impact on classroom activities and it gives us a couple extra days to prepare for our second game.

"The coaching staff was very much in favor of it."

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke and softball coach Carol Hutchins named school's 'Coaches of the Year'

Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins and Michigan football coach Brady Hoke were named the school's "Coaches of the Year" on Tuesday.

File photo

And on Tuesday, the Michigan football and softball coach were honored by the university for their respective achievements.

Hoke and Hutchins were named Michigan's 2011-12 men's and women's "Coaches of the Year." The honors were given out as part of the school's ongoing MGoBlue.com Awards.

Brady Hoke an NFL coach? One former pro QB says he has what it takes

One college football analyst says Brady Hoke is a college coach with NFL potential.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Could Michigan football coach Brady Hoke make it in the NFL?

At least one former professional signal caller believes he can.

Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, now a college football analyst at ESPN.com, recently listed several current college coaches who he sees as men with NFL coaching potential.

And Hoke made the cut.

Michigan football leadership seminars help seniors understand true definition of the word

Midway through his tenure at Ball State, Brady Hoke found out how difficult it is to find true leadership on a college football roster.

Some coaches insist true leaders are instinctual, and don't need to be taught how to lead a group. But what happens when those instincts don't actually exist? What happens when a player simply asks, "How?"

Several years ago in Muncie, Ind., Hoke found out.

"I had a guy who played for us at Ball State, (current Detroit Lion center) Dan Gerberry, who was voted captain for us by his teammates," the Michigan football coach explains. "Directly after that vote, he called me into his office and says 'Coach, I don't know what being a leader is?'

"We all want our players to be leaders. But it's not that simple."

Brady Hoke says Michigan's 'aggressive' drug policy is primarily for the safety of players

Earlier this month, a published report investigated the punishments doled out by schools in the Southeastern Conference with regard to marijuana testing.

At one school, Ole Miss, the investigation found that a second positive marijuana test only resulted in a possible forfeiture of free family tickets.

And, in most cases, the report found that players repeatedly got three to five chances to fail a drug test before being removed from the team.

Inside the Michigan football program, things are quite a bit different.

They test. A lot. And punish plenty.

It's a practice Wolverines coach Brady Hoke says is more about the well being of the student-athletes than anything else.

"You want to help kids," Hoke said earlier this month. Kids make bad decisions, they're 18 to 23. ... I'm 53, and once in a while, I'll make a bad decision.

"We've got an aggressive policy, we've got an athletic department that takes it very seriously and whatever we can do to help our kids is what it's all about."