Week 1: Michigan football coach Brady Hoke says Brendan Gibbons will be placekicker and more on Western Michigan game
The Brady Hoke era goes from preseason to game time Saturday when the Michigan football team opens the season with a 3:30 p.m. game against Western Michigan.
Hoke's press conference begins at 12:30 p.m., and we'll update this file once he's answering questions.
Hoke has stepped to the lectern and begun, click on the link below to get regular updates.
Kevin Koger has left the building, and the press conference is officially over.
Kevin Koger on Mike Martin's Youtube webisodes: "It shows the fans we have personalities." Said he didn't know he was in them, or that they existed for that matter, until "five minutes ago."
Kevin Koger on Kevin Koger: "Kevin Koger will be excited. Kevin Koger will be prepared." Jokingly answered question about "Kevin Koger" in the third person.
Kevin Koger on first game of Brady Hoke era: "We just want to get the win for Michigan as a whole."
On being voted captain: Said it was unexpected and didn't vote for himself.
Captain Kevin Koger now on the stage.
Mike Martin has left the building.
On his Youtube videos: "Coming into my senior year, I just wanted to document it. ... it's something that people don't usually see. ... I have more webisodes coming up soon."
Mike Martin on leadership: "Coach always said 'if he has to lead every day, we won't be good." Said a lot of responsibility falls on seniors to help coach underclassmen.
Martin on (Pioneer grad) Will Heininger and Nathan Brink: Said they're both "working their tails off" has a lot of respect for how much they've improved.
Mike Martin: "Coach has 'game week' posted everywhere in Schembechler (Hall)."
Mike Martin now at lectern.
Molk on teams preparing for them: Said he thinks it will harder for opponents because film doesn't match style of play. Said team is "totally different."
Molk on teammate Taylor Lewan saying he's a quiet leader: "Really? ... I think that might have been sarcasm."
Molk on being a captain: "It's a great honor." Said before he came, didn't really think about it, but once he "became a Wolverine" wanted it badly.
Hoke has left the building, players on the way. David Molk will be first.
On changes to traditions: Will practice later on Friday and hopes for it to be more intense.
On "Victors Walk": Team will not continue the pre-game walk to the stadium, a tradition started by former coach Rich Rodriguez.
On the starting punter: "Will probably be fluid." Said the team will likely use more than one against WMU.
On Ryan VanBergen: Said he'll play in multiple positions, be it end, or across from tackle.
On line play: "I don't think our depth up front on either side of the ball is where we want it to be."
On Denard Robinson avoiding taking so many hits: "We don't want guys taking needless shots if we can help it." Said that holds true for any QB in game.
Brady Hoke
On players having something to prove: "I think they all do, not just the running backs. ... If he doesn't meet that standard, we have to find somebody else."
On health of team leaving fall camp: Said team is just about as healthy as you could hope for leaving fall camp.
On being ready for first game: "We aren't near ready to play. ... I'll probably say that on Friday."
On WMU quarterback Alex Carder: "He's as impressive as anyone you'll turn tape on."
On the recent selection of Mike Martin Kevin Koger and David Molf as captains: I think all three bring a lot to our team from a leadership standpoint.
The last time: Michigan last faced Western in the 2009 season opener. Wide receiver Junior Hemingway caught two touchdown passes from Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson scored the first touchdown of his career as the Wolverines won, 31-7. While that sounds impressive, Michigan was held scoreless in the second half.
Comments
1st Down
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 8:47 a.m.
I think other than Shoelace... Koger will be my favorite player to watch this year.... if they can get him 40 catches and 8-10 TDs, which he is capable of doing ...then this offense will roll big time.
missionbrazil
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:12 p.m.
On "Victors Walk": Team will not continue the pre-game walk to the stadium, a tradition started by former coach Rich Rodriguez... due to lack of victories by said former coach ? You need to have a better record than 6-18 in the BT to have a "Victors" walk. Sorry MCC and tbf ... that was pretty snarky ... but aa.com just can't seem to stop mentioning the former HC.
ohiowolverine
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:50 p.m.
Does anyone know if the program about Michigan on Fox Sports is going to be aired by anyone else? We don't get Fox Sports here in the Suckeye State on Direct tv. Thanks and Go Blue!
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
Oh heartbreak, I agree about that Victors Walk. Very few times one gets to see, and slap five's with players - BIG LOSS, but I will respect coach Hoke's reasoning for this. :(
heartbreakM
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
You are probably right on that, AZ. It was one nice thing that former coach did, though (and I also liked bringing back old players as honorary captains).
azwolverine
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
Don't have any inside info on this, but my guess is that Hoke, while he would never admit it, is trying to cut ties with anything related to the previous coach.
mojo
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
FG kickers should be a higher priority for M. In the Big Ten, you should always have a kicker who is solid at 50 yards.
Mick
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.
Hoke is the coach, we are the fans. He sees way more than we do. I'm comfortable with his decision making. I'm sure he'll make adjustments as they become necessary, the play on the field will of course dictate that. Let the games begin!
DonAZ
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 8:25 p.m.
Amen! Enough analysis ... suit up and crack some heads!!
MRunner73
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:26 p.m.
The Gibbons part of handling field goals scares me. Didn't they make only 4 of 14 last year? I may have that wrong but it was downright aweful. It got so bad, we didn't even try to attempt a FG. Unless Gibbons is greatly improved, I will have to see it to believe it. I will try to stay optimistic.
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
I agree with Don about Gibbons improvement and I believe he has showed dedication and hard work....Wiley has to prove himself capable during games - but watch for Wile to handle all kicking/punting....that from a very good source.
DonAZ
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
I figure it this way -- Gibbons must have shown something in practice that gave Hoke enough reason to go with him. There's too much downside risk to picking last year's guy and having him perform badly again. So Hoke's starting point for the decision would have been to favor anyone BUT Gibbons. Therefore, Gibbons showed something to overcome the starting bias. Hoke's a decent guy and all but he wouldn't be giving this to Gibbons just as a way to re-boost Gibbons' pride and ego. And it can't be about protecting Wile's redshirt because he's already signalled he's going to burn that and play Wile as a true freshman. My guess is that Gibbons got his head screwed back on right by proper coaching and he's showing good form and consistency in the 30 yard range.
DonAZ
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.
Hoke should teach a graduate level class in "coachspeak." The guy is a master at it. :-)
heartbreakM
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:06 p.m.
Comments about kicker are surprising to me, especially given how Wile was received when he first came to fall camp. And I am sorry to see that Victors Walk will end. That was a nice thing that former coach started (though I hesitate to call anything 3 years old a tradition, but I don't want to nitpick too much) Thanks for the updates.
BlueGator
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 7:38 p.m.
I applaud Gibbons' determination after last year's disastrous efforts. I can only assume that he has indeed been more accurate than Wile on short to medium PKs, at least through practice. It would also seem reasonable that Gibbons will be kept on a short leash (i.e., the coaches have some doubts). Otherwise, it's a shame to not redshirt Wile to save a year of eligibility as our long-term kicking solution.
heartbreakM
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
@DonAZ: He was received very well. To me, it sounded like Wile had the job of kicker, kickoffs and punter at the start of camp, but apparently, Gibbons must have done well enough to displace him. I think the adjustment to college must be a lot harder than we commenters know about.
DonAZ
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.
"...especially given how Wile was received when he first came to fall camp." Help me ... was that a positive or negative reception? I can't recall.
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
It's all good - Hoke is the Man, his Players are the Machine and Michigan is THE TEAM. MgoBlueForTim......the man, the machine and the winningest team !
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
One further comment; the outsiders have chided us for scheduling western michigan, but I think there are only a few people who know how good quarterback alex carder is - he will be very good as will their team, and I expect our defense to step up to the task.