Brady Hoke completes Michigan football team's coaching staff

Ryan Seeley

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 10:52 p.m.

In addition to the pro sets we run, I would love to see some 5 wide sets out of the gun like we ran against florida in the capital one bowl....spreading the defense out like that would open up the middle of the field for the hundred slot recievers we have to run slants all day not to mention that would give denard 1000x more running room if he chooses.. Borges said his rushing numbers will probably be between 1000 to 1200 yards...that is still huge stats for a qb...i just don't see him getting there out of the I...I am all for the Pro offense but to me, that would be a tremendous addition to our gameplan as well

D21

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.

"You owe it to every man, woman, and child in the State of Michigan to beat the Buckeyes and silence their fans! Now go out there and make it happen!" - Bo Schembechler (Result: U-M 22 OSU 0) __________________________________________________ "You owe it to every man, woman, and child in the State of Michigan to beat the Buckeyes and silence their fans & WHATSHISNAME! Now go out there and make it happen!" - Brady Hoke (Result: UM > Ohio)

catfishrisin

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 8:11 p.m.

It doesn't matter, Ohio State wins......again

Blu n Tpa

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 2:43 p.m.

Won, we're looking to the future, your "win" is in the rear view mirror. "Remember '69" TiM Go Blue!

GoblueinNE_PA

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.

Can some one please explain to me how hiring an offensive minded HC in RichRod was supposed to shore up the "problem" we supposedly had STOPPING spread option teams on defense? I've never understood that logic put forth by the RichRod sycophants. "OH, we lost to App State and so we HAD to hire RichRod!" Huh? I could understand if we went out and hired a defensive guy that had shown he could successfully coach against it, but it doesn't follow that learning the spread on offense some how shows how to stop it on defense. In fact, we looked just as inept against that offensive set under RichRod (perhaps worse) than we did under Carr. If the logic is that, the defense see's it every day in practice, then why didn't it translate? The obvious answers are 1.) RichRod is half a head coach and can't understand, let alone teach defense, and 2.) just seeing an offense in practice does nothing to stop it if there are no fundamentals in place (see point 1 again). We are in better hands today than we were the past 3 years. Thats inarguable. The future is bright and you can feel the changes. It's good to be a Wolverine.

umgoblue47

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.

ethanblue. . . i agree with your post. . . also last season none of our rb's stepped up to create a threat at that position. had they, drob would not have had as many carries. i also read on a site (can't remember which one) that coach hoke is going to keep some part of the spread in the offense and i think we will see better performance from the rb position in 2011. . . GO BLUE. . .

ethanblue

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 4:59 p.m.

As much as I was on board with RichRod, I have to think that Al Borges will run an offense that will blend pass and run better. I will say one thing about Rodriguez's offense that I hated, and that was that the QB was the main runner. RR and his staff fell too much in love with DRob and his speed, and his early performances. We have RB talent on the roster. Fred Jackson, who has been through the last three regimes, is an amazing recruiter, and humble. He knows that we have guys who can run, but he let the head coach do his thing. You can tell from reading articles how excited he is about getting back to RBs running the ball more. I don't want us to go back to the grotesque statuesque days of John Navarre, or the predictable TE roll out for five yards. I tired of Iso left, iso right, iso right. I'd still like to see 10 QB-designed runs for DRob, but I'd also like to not see more than that. He should only be running half the time he did this past year. I don't think Hoke is going to Carr it up. Honestly, he seems like a pretty smart guy. Borges is not from the Carr lineage. I think even Carr can recognize that he failed to evolve the offense in his tenure, which is why his retiring was celebrated. Take FSU and Jimbo Fisher. Fisher was an underling to Bowden, but evolved from what Bowden did. What I like reading from Borges: he will adapt the offense game to game according to what is happening in the game. Carr never did that, and neither did Rodriguez. RichRod's main idea was to change QBs, not change his play calls. I was a fan of the old regime's progression, believe we would have eventually been back being a National powerhouse under RR, but I am willing to give the new-old a chance. I love my Michigan. I'm tired of the haters from all ends. Stop hating on the coaches. And those loving the coaches now, be ashamed that you can't support your team because you have something against the coach (the hate started soon as RR was hired, not with the losses).

missionbrazil

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.

Dwayne "Oh we have a coach now. Oh, Yeah! Finally, a REAL coach. Yippee, This is Michigan. woo hoo, yes, we're going to make a difference now. Yes, Sir. Not like the last three years, no. Not like the worst coach in Michigan history." Those statements do not describe a category of people ... those are FACTS man. Glad to see you coming to terms with the facts.

missionbrazil

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.

ethanblue & Dwayne, I actually liked most of what I read in ethanblue's post, up until the last paragraph about "haters" and "those loving the coaches now, be ashamed that you can't support your team because you have something against the coach (the hate started soon as RR was hired, not with the losses)". You can't talk about "haters", which by the way is a ridiculous term, and in the same post slam someone else. That makes you the same thing then - a hater. And the line about people not supporting the team because they didn't like the coach ... be serious ... that's just more sour grapes from people who like whatshisname, and so is "the hate started soon as RR was hired, not with the losses. Again, way off base ethanblue, way off base. I haven't seen 1 poster yet on this site who fits that description. Your guy is gone ... get over it already, and leave out the sour grapes at the end of your posts.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.

Note to Dwayne: The Big Ten Champion does not go to the Citrus Bowl. The Big Ten Champion is guaranteed, at a minimum, a berth in the Rose Bowl. One MUST win the Big Ten if one has ANY hope of winning the NC, something the lovers of whatshisname seem not to understand. Good Night and Good Luck

Dwayne

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 3 a.m.

@Mission And my point was this, out all of the things that ethan posted: -what he liked about what RR brought -what he thought he didn't do well -what he hoped we didn't go back to -positive thoughts on the incoming coaches -genuine optimism. you found hypocrisy because he hated on Lloyd. Whatever. You and Murrow do what you do and analyse and place people in their categories. You, Murrow, 3andout, az, blu, etc. you know what category you belong to. "Oh we have a coach now. Oh, Yeah! Finally, a REAL coach. Yippee, This is Michigan. woo hoo, yes, we're going to make a difference now. Yes, Sir. Not like the last three years, no. Not like the worst coach in Michigan history. No, sir. No, we have a REAL coach now. Going to be 9 - 3 again, going to win the Big Ten and the Citrus Bowl, Yes!" There you go, Mission. There's your category. Is that off base?

missionbrazil

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 10:46 p.m.

My point is this ... for some people like ethanblue and Dwayne, it is called "having an opinion" when they make a comment about a coach. For the many others that they disagree with, they call it something different - they call you a "hater" for having an opinion different than theirs. Double standard &/or hypocrisy.

missionbrazil

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.

Dwayne "They'd love to define everyone that wanted to see Lloyd's offense evolve, as RR man crushers, but that's just not the case." Dwayne, stop trying to analyze others and place them in a certain category, because you are way off base. FYI - I loved the offense LC ran in the bowl game vs FLA and wished he had opened up the O more before that. My post was not about LC or about his O, nor was it about whatshisname ... it was about someone who was criticizing others for having an opinion about whatshisname (he called it being a "hater") and then in the same post was criticizing , ie "hating", LC. You can't criticize others for something and then in the same post do the very thing you are criticizing. I guess you don't see it that way either.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.

Yes, Dwayne, it is to be expected that rational thinker will expose the hypocrisy of people who tell others to quit "hating" in the very same post in which they slam people. Good Night and Good Luck

Dwayne

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.

EthanBlue, Great Post! And Mission's response is to be expected. They'd love to define everyone that wanted to see Lloyd's offense evolve, as RR man crushers, but that's just not the case. @Mission. I don't understand your reaction at all. The guy stated what he liked about what RR brought, what he thought he didn't do well and what he hoped we didn't go back to. Pretty simple. He also had some pretty positive thoughts on the incoming coaches and genuine optimism. Maybe what this boils down to is a Lloyd Carr man crush that is still alive and well in Ann Arbor.

missionbrazil

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.

"I don't think Hoke is going to Carr it up. Honestly, he seems like a pretty smart guy... I'm tired of the haters from all ends. Stop hating on the coaches." Wow, way to set the example and show everyone how not to "hate" the coaches. You criticize people for having an opinion, especially about whatshisname, and call them "haters" because they were tired of the WCiMFH and his losing version of UM football, and yet 3 paragraphs up you are "hating" LC. Nice !

KeepingItReal

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.

@Blu n TPa: Don't take your hostility out on me. Just look at who Hoke has hired. He obviously playing to the Michigan tradition. Coach Jackson was only retained because of his ties to running back in this state, but for much larger responsibilities Hoke with the blessing of Brandon doesn't feel that same level of commitment. As I said before, good enough to play for the U, good enough to help bring in the big bucks not good enough to assume any major responsibility for the program. If I were D. Rob, I would seriously be looking around like say Oregon for an opportunity. Hoke is going to find a slick way to move D Rob out of QB contention because the alumni does not appreciate the gifts D Rob brings this program.. Hoke only placated things but if you look at their first appearance at the UM basketball game, they sat miles apart from each other. That told me everything I need to know about D Rob's future at M.

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.

I wrote a long response but instead, I'll await your answers to my previous remarks and maybe, you should re-read what you wrote. I'm am truly having a difficult time wrapping my head around your reality. TiM Go Blue! But, let me add, DRob decision to stay at Michigan was based on how he felt. Not sure of the exact quote but it was related to where his home is and where his family is, NOW. MICHIGAN! Where the color is BLUE!

missionbrazil

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 5 p.m.

""Hoke only placated things but if you look at their first appearance at the UM basketball game, they sat miles apart from each other. That told me everything I need to know about D Rob's future at M." KIR, using that kind of logic, I think our whole football team is in big trouble and are all probably going to leave. I saw the video of BH and his family at that game and I didn't see ANY players sitting near him or his family. Does that mean that BH is against ALL of them ? Does that mean that BH is actually some kind of racist against ALL races of people/players ? Come to think of it, he didn't sit next to Coach Beilein either ... must be something there too.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.

"If I were D. Rob, I would seriously be looking around like say Oregon for an opportunity." So, because you THINK that Hoke made a race-based hire, you THINK D-Rob ought make a race-based decision about his future? Bizarre logic, that. And if D-Rob fails to do so, what does that tell us? "Hoke only placated things but if you look at their first appearance at the UM basketball game, they sat miles apart from each other. That told me everything I need to know about D Rob's future at M." Really?? Please spell it out for us old slow folks. What, exactly, did this tell you? Good Night and Good Luck

heartbreakM

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.

@KIR: There is a whole different world between who Hoke hires as a coach and slanderous assumptions that he will discriminate against players based on skin color. My children do NOT see skin color when they see people. What they see is "content of character" as MLK, Jr espoused in DC nearly 50 years ago. I have no idea what Hoke sees, but please do not slander him with assumptions, nor the rest of us alumni. World is not perfect, but if you really look at the world with those type of glasses, you are sadder for it. My world does not work like that (and don't assume anything about my skin color)

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.

Keepinitreal How do you know? Do you have access to Coach Hoke's messages? You sound like you're advocating a reaction when you don't even know if there is a problem. Coach Jackson was re-hired by Coach Hoke, and it was one of his first moves. I remember you being all bent out of shape about that too and how did it work out? Besides Coach Brown, who I have already noted on this thread would have been a fine addition, which coaches would you "find" acceptable? As far as the players are concerned, young people today, for the most part, don't tote around the same 'baggage' of racism which you seem to espouse. I'm not 'pollyannish' that things are perfect, they aren't. But you don't even have all the information and you are casting blame. I KNOW of several coaches worthly of consideration, but would they go "backwards" to being position coaches, which is understandable. TiM Go Blue!

missionbrazil

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.

The whatshisname-etts have an amazing ability on display here. They have the ability to already see what style and type of football that BH and his boys are going to play, even though we haven't seen 1 game yet. They have the ability to see that it is going to be the same type of ball that LC and his teams played. They have the ability to see that we at best will only go 9-3 in the future, and they also see that everyone will be satisfied with that. They have the ability to see that we will lose more bowl games than we will win in the future. And yet ... they still cannot see the disaster that actually took place in the last 3 years. Gentlemen, we all need to stand in awe of this amazing ability & power that the whatshisname-etts possess. It is very impressive.

Dwayne

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 9:13 p.m.

How about a say for the 100th time, this is not about RR. It's about not wanting to go back to what was ultimately the reason RR was hired in the first place. Now, I will give you that the range of emotion on the side of us that, let's just say are waiting to see if anyone dies from the KoolAid, before we drink it (to use Blu's previous reference). Some are very cynical that it is just a return of the old guard, while others are still very optimistic that it doesn't have to be. What I find funny about your post, though...what you are describing is exactly how it used to be, during the previous twenty years and several are already embracing that type of program. Mr. Youbetcha, has already posted, Bring back those days of mediocrity!

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.

People with man crushes apparently lack the gene that allows them to recognize sarcasm when they see it. Good Night and Good Luck

Theo212

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.

Thank you, mission. I agree. We are extremely intelligent, and our words need to be heeded. Theo, Portage, and tater; Their intellect is greater. To the top of the hill With speed and much skill. Pro set? See ya later!!!!

KeepingItReal

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.

Once again, there are no significant staff hired by the UM program that includes African American in a major role. Sure Fred Jackson was retained just to get those running backs into the program. When Brady Hoke had an opportunity to provide "real" opportunity to former Michigan Men (African American ball players) who have contributed so much to this program, he does not. I hope this makes an impression with Black players who are so enthralled with Hoke

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.

How do you know he didn't offer other candidates? One of his first hires was Coach Jackson.

heartbreakM

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.

I think you bring up points worth discussing and thinking about, KIR. On one hand, he needs to hire people who he has chemistry with, but opening up opportunities to minority candidates is important as well.

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.

AZ, heartbreak and other Michigan fans, what we are seeing here is the last desparate grab at the microphone. Some of these guys are smart enough to realize the writing is on the wall. "Like a new car"? Maybe, it's not the car. Maybe it's the driver. I really like the NEW one. Smart, focused, understands the neighborhood and how to get where we WANT to go. No 3 year detour down a road of horrible defense and non-existing special teams. The last three games is ALL I needed to see to know there was NO progress. The defense is ALREADY better, and special teams is ALREADY better. They know it, can't stand it, wont support it. It's a "Cult of Personality". The Jim Jones version of football fans. Pass the koo-aid.

Blu n Tpa

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.

I'm sorry but what does "I don't believe that the drunkest (the WCiMFH) Kool-aid drinkers hold those final three games up as proving a point one way or another' mean? I think they prove no progress on defense or evidence of coaching in the kicking game. I supported Michigan football by going to the Gator Bowl. I'm not falling into a 'trap' of debating what I know or what I think. You tell me I'm not telling the truth that's you call. In this exchange you capitalize more words than I did although I have no idea what that proves. (Using the small d in democrat means you believe in a democracy. If you had used a capital "D" it would denote membership in a political party. I want a open democratic form of government and I was willing to serve to protect it.)

Dwayne

Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.

An exclamation point...usually used after an interjection or exclamation to indicate strong feelings or high volume...which wasn't the case here. Just stating a fact, but it makes me feel better knowing that our writing styles are different. You've asked the ridiculous question about the last three games repeatedly, I guess each time expecting to get a different answer. I don't believe that even the drunkest of RR kool-aid drinkers hold those final three games up as proving a point one way or the other. I guess the difference between you and me, you were surprised by the outcome, and I'm the kool-aid drinker. Good one. I suppose you'd use an exclamation point there, as well. Oh no, you'd capitalize every letter. So, to answer your question again. I didn't like the final three games, not one bit. Didn't like the 3 - 9 season, didn't like losing every big rivalry game that you can imagine. I didn't like any of that. RR had an opportunity to salvage his 3rd year, despite his naysayers and he didn't do it. Fair enough. I'm excited for the opportunity to start fresh. What irritates me is people like you, murrow, 3andout, az and mission that act like anyone that wasn't calling for RR's firing the day after he was fired, is somehow a slappy or man crush. It's absurd. "The last three games is ALL I needed to see...", again, I call BS. I don't believe for one second that the last three games had anything to do with your feelings toward RR as a coach or a person. You remind me of a democrat that claims to be an independent, right up until they walk into the booth, please. "They know it, can't stand it, wont support it..." Are you saying that RR supporters actually think that RR's defense was good and that they don't think it'll be better under Hoke/Mattison? I've not seen any RR supporter claim any such thing. Won't support it? Again, you'd love for this to be true, but it's just not the case.

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.

Dwayne "This post is beyond moronic." (For that I would have used an exclamation point, but that's just me.) How would you rate the actual game defense as played in the last 3 games? How would you rate the kicking game over the last 3 years? I didn't even post on the web, anywhere until halfway into this year. But I'm the moron? Based on the upgrade in the defensive coaching staff, yes, in my opinion, the defense is already better. Both by addition by subtraction, and the old fashion way, just addition. The special teams coach isn't a part-time, first year good ol boy defensive backfield coach, who already had his hands full. Again, better coach, means already improved special teams. I know you loved the defense and special teams play the last three games. And, I'm still the "moronic" one. TiM Go Blue!

Dwayne

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.

This post is beyond moronic. You guys were ALWAYS talking about "what happens on the field is all that matters", yet now you're talking about what is ALREADY better. Give me a break. Where you are very confused, is that this has nothing to do with RR. Honestly, I'm not upset that he was fired, what else could Brandon do? The patience for RR was gone before his press conference announcing his hiring. No, this has to do with understanding that 3 yards and a cloud of dust, just won't get it done AND the fact that Michigan should be playing with National aspirations, EVERY year. My final point, YOU will never convince me that Hoke was a good hire, because you are a broken record. Now, Coach Hoke can completely convince me. I've liked every press conference that I've heard so far, I loved the interview that I read over on the other paper this morning. I LOVED that he said he we don't win the Big Ten in 2011, that it'll be a failure, love that attitude. Do me one other favor, stop pretending like you would've EVER supported RR being at Michigan, you'd hammered the nails in that coffin long before the completion of the last three games. I'd comment on the rest of the post, but I couldn't make sense of it.

81wolverine

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.

Agree with Tater. Michigan must be on the leading wave of college football, not mired in a system 10 or 15 years past its prime. That was such a big problem in the later Carr years and led to much sharper coaches beating us with inferior talent. A lot of the people on this site who look back wistfully to "good ole Michigan football of the later 1990's and 2000's are the same ones who complained about the stale offenses and mediocre defenses of many teams under the last coach (Carr). I certainly don't want to see us go back to the days of slow, plodding, predictable offenses led by immobile QB's combined with underachieving defenses. One key think Brady Hoke needs to do is raise the bar a couple notches for the entire program. As he said, toughness must be a trademark of Michigan football again. Add some new innovation to that and great recruiting, and I'm optimistic "the new Michigan football" will bring us back to winning Big Ten titles again.

Joe

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:38 a.m.

Folks...I don't know about you, but I am really getting a kick out of reading the posts that the JTresselites (tater, Theo, et al) are posting. I'm sure we will see them selling their tOSU jerseys personally autographed for them by TP on ebay real soon!! TiM Go Blue!!!!!

Chilltime

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.

@Heart, It is still 9-3 football. Need I go on? Good luck & Good night!

heartbreakM

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.

@Chill: You underestimate what we "Michigan fans" are excited about. First, 9-3 seems pretty good around now, given that total number of victories over last 3 years is barely above that, combined. But "Michigan fans" are excited about finally actually being competitive in their games. About seeing fundamental football. About approaching the OSu, MSU games with proper respect. About getting Big Ten sized players on the roster, though we all hope that the current roster will be taught better. Need I go on?

Chilltime

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.

Never thought Michigan fans would be excited about 9-3 football.

PortageLkBlu

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:44 a.m.

Joe, Joe,Joe is that the best ya got?

PortageLkBlu

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:42 a.m.

Ya, I get excited everytime I buy a new car problem is, it doesn't stay exciting for very long. This coming year or next Mich. football would have been exciting under Rich Rodriguez. Why do I get that new car old car feeling with Brady Hoke. AZ as far as us wallowing in our despair here's the wallowing part, it feels like LLoyd Carr is back coaching at Michigan.

azwolverine

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:51 a.m.

Joe, I'm with you. I'm done talking to them as of now. The bottom line is, the glass is completely full for the Hoke backers who are thrilled for a return to what Michigan football stands for. Sure, it's GREAT to have DR running the show...even Bo would have known how to use him (see Rick Leach), but it will be nice to return to fundamental, hard-nosed, no excuses football that can punch it in on 4th and goal from the one and stop one on defense to boot. I AM HAPPY! THRILLED! Let them wallow in their despair and excuses...we're heading in a whole new direction that the majority of us are excited about and understand is best for UM football.

lawrencelaundry

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:36 a.m.

I don't.know much about these guys, but I am pretty dissappointed they didn't hire Corwin Brown when he has more experience and a hell of a recruitor. It is what it is.

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:19 p.m.

I like CB too. Maybe there's some history there. That "coaching tree" works both ways sometimes. Given the quality of BH's other coaching hires and his other decisions, I'm going to have to see this out his way. But, yes, I would have been fine with Coach Brown back at Michigan. (Maybe it was the DC's choice or input, too.)

tulsatom

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:19 a.m.

Brady Hoke seems to be a good blend of tradition and innovation that any Michigan fan should appreciate. He knows and appreciates the core values of the university and football program. He wants to run the football with authority and play defense with pride and toughness. At SDSU he also showed his flexibility by showing he was not married to any one system either offensively or defensively. If you recall, SDSU was one of the leading passing offenses in the country because the QB and receiving corps was where the talent was on that team. He also ran a 3-3-5 defense there but has already said he will run a 4-3 at U-M. Some of you are presenting a false preimse that 'Michigan Football' equates to boring and predictable 'Dinosaur Football, which simply isn't true. I have faith that Brady Hoke will bring out the best in these players by evaluating their talents and devising schemes and plays to take full advantage of them.

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.

Yes, that's the future of "Michigan" football. Having the ability to use both quick fast guys AND strong fast guys that makes it more difficult for the other team's defense. It's not the "spread" but it being totally predicated on one guy, ( a truly gifted guy), that "D"s just focused on and stopped with fast strong guys. We have a COACH who's so flexible he'll find a way to use everybody who can HELP Michigan WIN football games. Who's not on board for that? TiM Go Blue!

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.

Tater wrote: "Being a mediocre anachronism is NOT Michigan football" Indeed it is not. Being a mediocre anachronism is country bumpkin hillbilly football. You know. The kind we've been playing for the last three years. Good Night and Good Luck

Ben

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.

Tater - The offensive/defensive schemes are irrelevant. Execution wins games. Nothing more, nothing less.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.

You're right, Dusty. The 3-3-5 is a brilliant defense. It's just that whatshisname and his merry band of incompetents couldn't make it work. Good Night and Good Luck

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.

Dusty, you got it backwards, again. We're bashing the "guy" who couldn't win football games. The fact that he used the 3-3-5 and the spread doesn't matter. Losing is losing and that's what the WCiMFH was really good at. LOSING! Michigan getting to the Rose Bowl and losing to a Vince Young Longhorns team was a better game than ANY game that you could dream of in the last 3 years. Lost because of a field goal. You remember what those are, don't you? How come you never discuss specifics like the kicking game, or the total lack of it after 3 years? It's COACHING and now, after 3 long years of it's absence, it's BACK! TiM Go Blue!

Dusty

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:59 a.m.

Really? Then why do people bash the 3-3-5 and the spread? Oh right, because it's a convenient way to bash a guy you don't like.

ArthGuinness

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.

Dear tater, Please name one (1) quality win during the Rich Rodriguez's three years at Michigan. If you can complete that simple task (which you can't), I will then present to you a list of ten (10) quality wins by Carr in the three years previous to that.

missionbrazil

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.

Portage "ya he turned it around after it was to late." Heartbreak's point about turning it around is an important one, because there is an important life lesson in that ... when you have a setback in life you need to pick yourself back up and keep working hard and moving forward. LC got his team to do exactly that ... they won 8 games in a row after those 2 tough losses to start the season, and they played for the BT title and unfortunately lost to OSU. Then they rebounded from that and beat a very good & heavily favored FLA team in the bowl game. That is outstanding life coaching, even in the midst of a disappointing season. I could go on about how your guy whatshisname finshed out every year after about the 4th or 5th game in each season ... but he's gone so why talk about him ?

missionbrazil

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.

ditto on Ghost's post about the Wisconsin win in 2008. Wow, whatshisname beat a 7-6 team that finished tied for 6th in the BT. Dusty, you are reaching with that one ... but to try to think of anything positive in whatshisname's record you really really have to reach far. Nice try though Dusty.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.

Beating Wisconsin in 2008 was a "quality" win? Yes, it was #8 AT THE TIME we played 'em. It finished the season at 7-6, 3-5 in the Big Ten, and unranked. A real quality win, that. Had it been LC's sole quality win in three years, he'd have been tared and feathered. Wait!! He was!! And, yes, App State and Oregon in 2007 were embarrassing. Yet that same team, in THAT season, defeated #10 PSU and #9 Florida (finished #25 and #13, respectively). By whatever measure the lovers of whatshisname want to laud THEIR coach (he no longer is OURS), Carr was head and shoulders better. Good Night and Good Luck

PortageLkBlu

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:47 a.m.

Heartbreak, ya he turned it around after it was to late.

PortageLkBlu

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:33 a.m.

Arth, Tater is not talking about RR he's talking about the abyss we're heading into.

leathercouch

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 4:09 a.m.

Fiesta Bowl bound UCONN this past season. would be a quality win

Dusty

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.

The problem with the App State loss is that you'll never convince anybody outside of Ann Arbor that it wasn't the most embarassing loss in college football history. Nobody wants to hear that the Mountaineer team was probably one of the greatest in the history of division 1aa, or that they likely would have ranked around 30th in the country if that exact team was division 1a and played a 1a schedule. Want to hear some irony: They won that game because Michigan had no clue how to stop the spread and a mobile QB. Guess who taught Jerry Moore, App State's coach, his offense.

Dusty

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:18 a.m.

I wouldn't rate Toledo as worse, just based on the talent on the Michigan team that year as compared to other years. I mean seriously, the team was LOADED with talent in 2007. Scoring 7 points against a middling defense when you're boasting a senior-laden, NFL-caliber offense like that is just indefensible.

heartbreakM

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.

Actually Dusty--I would rate losing to Toledo--a team that finished with an identical 3-9 record as UM that year--a bigger embarrassment than the App State loss. Unfortunately, the name "App State" alone garners embarrassment and got the big press, and we were "top 5" at that point. And didn't App State go on to win a championship that year? (Though i argued at the time that the game should NOT have been on the schedule--nothing to gain and everything to lose, and Tater and pals argued that you should always schedule easy wins) And the Oregon loss was bad, but look at that team before Dixon went down. They were monsters. But it was clear that Carr did not have his heart into it--yet he did get that team to turn around, unlike the former coach after that Toledo loss.

Dusty

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:01 a.m.

#8 Wisconsin in 2008. And while you're at it, why not rank the most embarassing losses in the last 5 years, too. (Hint: App State will be on top, followed by the 38-7 loss to Oregon by a team LOADED WITH NFL TALENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL IN 2007).

Terry Star21

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:29 a.m.

Brady Hoke said it best; "Curt and Jerry are exceptional teachers and will help our young men develop both on the football field and in the community," (this is great stuff) And I too look forward to some MICHIGAN FOOTBALL.......Go Blue !

tater

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 12:57 a.m.

To finish that last thought: If we're really lucky, Brady Hoke will transcend his Carr-tel roots. If we're not, "MICHIGAN FOOTBALL" will become a perverse version of Groundhog Day, and it won't be nearly as funny as the Bill Murray version. Unless, of course, your name is Sparty or Brutus. Then, you will find it hilarious. For those of you who long for a return to what you mistakenly call "Michigan football," be careful what you ask for. Twenty years of mediocrity may be hanging in the balance.

Dwayne

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.

Great post, Tater. Just wanted to show my support. The Others like to lump everyone that thinks Michigan should be playing on the National Stage, year in and year out, as RR defenders. In actuality, it's about not wanting to return to the mediocrity that you speak of. The last 20 years that Mr. Youbetcha speaks so fondly of, is no fun to peruse on Wikipedia; 10 Big Ten Championships, but a 3 - 4 record in the Rose Bowl, not to mention only two, maybe three of those seasons being part of the national discussion. Just because RR successfully coached the worst three years of Michigan history, doesn't mean that we have to aspire to be ranked #15. So, I'm excited about Coach Hoke and have much hope that he'll bring more of an Urban Myer or Pete Carroll style of coaching, than a Lloyd Carr or Gary Moeller. However, if he decides to bring back the stickers, I'll know that our fate is sealed.

Dan

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.

Theo, You list 3 bowl game apperances for the next 3 years, which would be far better than rr first 3 years.

PortageLkBlu

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:31 a.m.

Interesting post Tater but you knew the responses you'd get before you posted? Tater, you should have waited 3 years to post that. These zombies would have understood what your talking about by then.

garrisondyer

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.

@Theo, Thanks for bringing up a hilarious memory! "We must move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!" <a href="http://sclipo.com/videos/view/kang-and-kodos" rel='nofollow'>http://sclipo.com/videos/view/kang-and-kodos</a>

azwolverine

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.

And yes, I meant 'orthodontist.'

azwolverine

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:20 a.m.

Twenty years of winning seasons, multiple B10 titles and a national championship. If that's not good enough for you, no team will be. Not many teams in the nation have done much better than UM over the past 20 years (minus the last 3 of course). I'm asking for it, you betcha! By the way, you always long for Bo to turn us fans into 'adults' and teach us the wrong of our ways with the past coach...I'd like to see Bo's response to YOU if you badmouthed his coaching brother Carr in his face...it might require an immediate trip to the ortodondist on your part.

Theo212

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:07 a.m.

Thank you, tater. You and I love Michigan football and we realize that backwards is a very dangerous direction. If Hoke is blind to the glorious change of mindset instituted by Our King, then here is what we're in for. 2011: Texas Bowl 2012: Ticket City Bowl 2013: Citrus Bowl We'll win one (maybe two) of those, the blue hairs will rejoice, and Crystal will never get within 1,000 miles of Ann Arbor.

Theo212

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 12:56 a.m.

Looking forward (but with the patience of a very wise man, which I am) to some great football. And, yes, looking forward to the raising of the Crystal. Go Blue. CoB! PS And let's hope there is very little of this "DRob under center" hooey. Shotgun every snap can still be incorporated into the (ugh) pro set.

tater

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 12:52 a.m.

Yeah, AZ, let's turn it back into "MICHIGAN FOOTBALL." That's where you have no imagination on offense, beat teams you can push around, lose to those you can't, have one inexplicable upset every year, and make excuses after every crushing BCS bowl loss. What most "fans" who like to revise history are calling "Michigan football" doesn't work anymore. That is why Appy State was able to beat Michigan. That's why Oregon made Michigan look so bad. That's why USC players laughed in the glow of blowout victories about knowing what Michigan was going to run before they ran it. That's why Lloyd Carr was 1-5 against Jim Tressel, including the first four losses in the current "streak." When there were 115 schollies and every team wasn't able to get on TV, it was possible to build powerhouse teams, brag about toughness, and run predictable plays that smaller opponents couldn't stop. That doesn't work anymore. Not only are there only 85 schollies, but players transfer around a lot, too, because of the amount of information and communication available in the internet age. Now, though, all you get by playing 1980's football in the 2010's is underachievement. Back to the Future was a very entertaining movie. Sadly, though, if Michigan does start playing "Michigan football" again, the only entertainment value from Michigan's version of BttF is going to be to their opponents. You know what real "Michigan football" is? It's Fritz Crisler's teams running an offense that was modern for its time. It's the teams in the 1940's running a lot of misdirection and, once again, an offense that was modern for its time. Being a mediocre anachronism is NOT Michigan football. Being the "leaders and best" is Michigan football. Michigan has blown a great chance to be "leaders and best" again. Hopefully, they'll eventually get another. If we're really lucky, Brady Hoke will transcend his Carr-tel root

hammer

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:02 a.m.

Leaders and Best - 3-9, 5-7, 7-6 Leaders and Best - 0-6 vs OSU and MSU Leaders and Best - Run away 5 star players to later complain the cubbard was bare Leaders and Best - Never RR fault, hey lets throw a 19 year old kicker under the bus!! Leaders and Best - Begging for your job instead of honoring your Seniors If that is what being the Leaders and Best is you can keep it. 35 years of winning is not mediocre. Look at East Lansing if you want to see what being truely mediocre is. For some reason RR fans fail to realize that there is more to football than offense. You can't simply outscore people. Especially when you can't score against good teams ( See MSU, OSU, Wisco, Miss St).

heartbreakM

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:38 a.m.

Oh my gosh, get over your fascination with the former coach. You have a viewpoint of the only way that Michigan football can be successful, yet refuse to deal with actual results, which we "naysayers" have been arguing for 3 years. When you get blown out 52-14 in a bowl game, when you get beat by your #1 rival 100-24 in 3 years, when you give up 400 rushing yards to Wisconsin in second to last game of the year---all of that does not smell of "imagination" and success, unless your imagination just happens to come from a MSU or OSU perspective!! Repeat after me, TAter: The Former Coach was a Failure of historic proportions at Michigan, by any measure. From the new coaches first words, he has already surpassed the former coach in stature and "getting it". That will garner respect which will lead to actual results.

1st Down

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.

wow...creepy post.

azwolverine

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.

Michgan football is fundamentals and integrity. That's all I'm talking about, taterchip. I refuse to look back on the previous coach any further, it's OVER, and I'm moving on with coach Hoke. And by the way, you can only lose a BCS bowl game if you go to one, wouldn't you think? Oh no, you would only filibuster.

garrisondyer

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:10 a.m.

tater, I think you underestimate all Michigan fans who don't fully agree with your philosophy. Instead of incessantly condescending other posters who would like to get back to "MICHIGAN FOOTBALL", maybe try a more pragmatic approach? Giving others a little benefit of the doubt never hurts. Also, one thing you forgot to mention when you described "real Michigan Football": attitude with integrity and class, and a little tradition to boot. I'm assuming you're going to try to dismantle my opinion with small factoids and bits of spleen, so I thought I'd just let you know that I do understand how cutting edge RR's coaching was, and I appreciated it. I just don't think he was prepared for Michigan and the Big Ten. It could have been awesome.... it just wasn't.

BornInA2

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:02 a.m.

Tater, you need to drop that giant bowl of sour grapes and get a dose of reality instead. RR was a complete failure here. He didn't work, his scheme didn't work, and we sucked in a way that we haven't sucked for 40 years. This isn't some bling prediction, it's a fact. As the ringleader of the "He just needs one more year" gang, it seems to me that you might be willing to give the new coach more than a month before dumping on him and predicting doom.

Theo212

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1 a.m.

Tate, my man, that was the smartest post in the ENTIRE HISTORY OF POSTING!!! Hoke should make copies of it and staple it into the front of the (cob-webbed) playbook!

missionbrazil

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.

az, I thought the same thing ... I read somewhere that Mallory was a D coordinator for the last 4 years: last season with Akron and the previous 3 seasons at Illinois.

Rich Rezler

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.

@azwolverine: You're right. Mallory was at Akron for one season. The story has been updated.

azwolverine

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:07 a.m.

Got it! Thanks!

azwolverine

Mon, Feb 7, 2011 : 11:55 p.m.

I have a question: How is it possible that Mallory was a DC for Illinois' "2008 Rose Bowl run" and then followed that wil 4 years as Akron's DC before being hired by UM. I'm no math whiz, but that's not adding up. Besides that, though, I'm glad the staff is completed and can get to the task of turning Michigan football back into MICHIGAN FOOTBALL. Mallory knows the deal and, with Hoke in charge, they should all be on the same page fairly quickly. As Hoke has said, they are all accountable and there will be no excuses. I don't foresee a B10 title next year, but I do foresee a team far stronger in fundamentals in all three phases of the game and a team that will compete as hard in the first game as they do in the last (and every game in between). I'm excited.

PortageLkBlu

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 11:25 a.m.

1 season 4 seasons that's not a question, that's an answer.

heartbreakM

Mon, Feb 7, 2011 : 11:04 p.m.

Good to have a Mallory back on staff. That's one solid family. I wish there would have been space for Cornflakes Brown too, but maybe in the future..... Go Blue

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 7:31 p.m.

Not what I said. I have expressed no opinion whatsoever on the hire, nor do I have one. Read more carefully. But what I KNOW is that because Mallory did not perform well as a DC does not necessarily mean that he will not perform well in a position of less responsibility and a narrower focus. Often just the opposite is the case. Good Night and Good Luck

Dwayne

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.

@Blu - That was a perfectly good exchange between HeartBreak and Dusty, that ended with basically, "Great, I hope you are right. Go Blue!" Give it a rest. @Murrow - That faulty logic can be used on you, as well. Since you like the idea of a DC that was progressively worse each year at Illinois, you would've been okay with giving the existing Michigan coach one more year. Does that sound about right?

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 1:48 p.m.

Dusty wrote: "By the way, Illinois' defense got progressively worse the 3 years Mallory was DC. They were 33rd in total defense the year before Mallory was promoted to DC, then 55th, 57th, and 91st in 07, 08, and 09. In 2010, the year after Mallory left, Illinois' defense was 37th." Let's follow Dusty's illogic. Because Mallory, as DC at Illinois, had defenses that got progressively worse (the last one being ranked 91st in the FBS), he is not qualified for the significantly smaller responsibility of being the defensive backs coach? Yet, whatshisname, whose defenses got progressively worse (the last being 110th in the FBS) WAS qualified to keep his job overseeing the entire football program? Yeah, that makes sense. Good Night and Good Luck

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.

Dusty, did you just argue BOTH sides of the discussion? But you were right both times which means won and lost the argument to yourself. Wow, that's pretty impressive. As far as DC's are concerned, GRob at Michigan could be an example of not controlling one's own destiny. TiM Go Blue!

Dusty

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:12 a.m.

There have been many instances where a very good coordinator was promoted to head coach only to stink at it and go back to being a successful coordinator. Let's hope this is the case here in terms of being a good position coach that just doesn't quite have it as a coordinator (or, maybe there were circumstances at Illinois beyond the control of a coordinator that caused such a drop off. I know people like to think coaches should get all the blame for things like this, but sometimes there are things going on that even a great coach can't fix).

heartbreakM

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 3:09 a.m.

Well, you raise good points Dusty. I only see the name, and I like the Mallory name. They have a great history as Wolverines and coaches--Bill of course at IU, and the 3 Mallory brothers at Michigan. To respond to you--well, he is not DC here. He will work under a great one (on paper), and Hoke knows him and trusts him. And Curt does know Michigan. But the points you bring up do raise some concerns. Let's hope he has better success with a different lineup around him.

Dusty

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:46 a.m.

By the way, Illinois' defense got progressively worse the 3 years Mallory was DC. They were 33rd in total defense the year before Mallory was promoted to DC, then 55th, 57th, and 91st in 07, 08, and 09. In 2010, the year after Mallory left, Illinois' defense was 37th.

Dusty

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.

Why is it good? Mallory hasn't shown he can coach anywhere he's been yet. Yes, he has Michigan ties. Great. That doesn't win games.

Mick

Mon, Feb 7, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.

@Pete, What about Chris Singletary, will he still be in his recruiting role and obviously that is not considered part of the staff. @BLU, you're right, time to coach some winning football, I'm ready for that after the heartache of the past few years. I look forward to the days of being a top ten program every year. I truly believe that this staff will get us there. TiM, Go Blue!!

PortageLkBlu

Mon, Feb 7, 2011 : 11:44 p.m.

I'll do my best mick.

PortageLkBlu

Mon, Feb 7, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.

He better!

Blu n Tpa

Mon, Feb 7, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.

Great, now get this TEAM ready to play some winning football.

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Feb 8, 2011 : 12:35 p.m.

P N Lk There already are better on defense and special teams. Book it! Do you miss your man crush so much that you can't even write a thought out response anymore? I read somewhere that if you stop picking at the wound it will heal faster. Stop picking.

PortageLkBlu

Mon, Feb 7, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.

They better be!

Brady Hoke completes Michigan football team's coaching staff

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