How likely is it that we see Hoke around Ann Arbor/Campus?

Submitted by Deltroit3030 on

I am curious what you guys think about Brady Hoke and possibly popping up at some games or around town? 

It seems most the fanbase, and definitely Harbaugh and other Michigan factions think of Hoke as a great man and friends with most of these guys. You don't normally see a coach who was fired hang out around that team. If Brady isn't coaching this coming season (or the next couple seasons), is it likely he visits occasionally? Do you think it would be a distraction/not in the best interest of the program?

I only say this because he's a likeable guy and clearly LOVES Michigan, always did, and still does. And it wasn't an ugly divorce.. what was needed to be done was done. And Harbaugh wanted to see Brady be handled with respect. So, I was just thinking about this.. what are your inputs on this? Would it be weird? Is it out of the question?

Lancer

January 16th, 2015 at 4:25 PM ^

I would be for it. Just because he couldn't win football games doesn't mean we should shun him from the program. He shouldn't be involved in the operations and coaching of the team in anyway though imo. 

justingoblue

January 16th, 2015 at 7:54 PM ^

If he's not going to wear it, he should. RR didn't have any use for a massive collection of Michigan apparel and brought in $16,200 to a Salvation Army location that really needed the help. Extremely classy move that I hope the exiting staff keep in mind if the alternative is boxing it up or throwing it out.

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/salvation-army-still-overwhe…

Khrothgat

January 17th, 2015 at 11:57 AM ^

Hoke and Mattison dramatically improved the defense,but after trying to impliment their offense, they basically abandoned it during the Notre Dame game and went back to most of the elements that had been run in the RR offense.  It's fair to say that Hoke won with RR's offense, and the more he started implimenting his own, the less effective it was.

Khrothgat

January 17th, 2015 at 12:15 PM ^

 I loved listening to Dennis Fithian on TKA back when I was in High School. It was an important part of my budding interest in college athletics.  Even had a nice email exchange with him. When he switched to 1050 (97.1) there wasn't much Michigan talk, but I still listen sometimes.

StateStreetBlue

January 16th, 2015 at 4:25 PM ^

It may have not been "an ugly divorce" for you, but anytime a man is fired from his dream job there has to be some animosity and guilt.  I truely feel bad for Hoke as a person and would more than understand if he takes some time away from the program. 

Mr. Yost

January 16th, 2015 at 4:26 PM ^

...that it's super dee duper likely!

In all seriousness, how would any of us know? What if he's coaching next year?

And no, he probably wouldn't be around the very next year, but who the hell knows?

bluebyyou

January 16th, 2015 at 4:54 PM ^

Regardless of how we view Hoke, he failed at his task and was fired because of it.  That is not an easy thing to stomach.

I'm sure he is easily reachable to his former players, but it wouldn't surprise me if he keeps a very low profile.  He is too young to hang it up.  He will find himself another job and move on. Financially, if he has been reasonably frugal, he is set for life.

BayWolves

January 16th, 2015 at 4:26 PM ^

Distraction and not in the best interests of the program at this point in time.  But why would he want to be seen peeking through the fences anyway?  I think he knows he has to keep a low profile around the athletic campus and can't imagine he'd want to walk around as the guy who was fired anyway.

I dumped the Dope

January 16th, 2015 at 4:29 PM ^

The Team is fresh with new coaches top to bottom, save Mattison.

I think Harbaugh set the tone when he thanked "my friends Brady and Laura Hoke" in his intial press conference, that Hoke is not some derelict outcast.

Somewhat related: I don't think you're ever going to see RichRod around Ann Arbor unless his team is playing a game here.

jmblue

January 16th, 2015 at 4:44 PM ^

For RR, Michigan probably just seems like a pit stop at this point.  He was only here three years, and the guys he recruited are gone.  There's not much that would draw him back.

I think the more intriguing question is whether he'll ever patch things up with WVU.  

 

jmblue

January 16th, 2015 at 4:50 PM ^

Not for a few years.  He'll want to keep his distance right now and will probably land some other kind of coaching position for 2016.  I don't think his career is over. 

Gary Moeller didn't have much to do with the program for several years, maybe a decade, before he started coming back.  

tlo2485

January 16th, 2015 at 4:34 PM ^

at this point in his career I think he needs to distance himself in order to continue his coaching....he doesn't want to be seen as obsessed with michigan, and I don't think michigan wants him to be creeping around.... if he were older and winding down, I would be fine with him settling into some administrative role immediately

rob f

January 16th, 2015 at 4:39 PM ^

Coach Harbaugh. If and when he wants to bring Hoke back to visit the team, that's when it will happen. And I think Coach Harbaugh will have a pretty good feel for when the timing is right.

ShruteBeetFarms

January 16th, 2015 at 4:47 PM ^

It reminds me of the g/f from Wayne's World that is obsessively hanging around after Wayne dumps her. 

Hiiii Wayne!

I really don't want Harbaugh to deal with any distractions. I would like to think we learned our lesson from the RR days.

Deltroit3030

January 16th, 2015 at 4:42 PM ^

I am not suggesting he plays any type of role with the team. Just more like, almost an "alum" who comes back and visits from time to time. I realize he's got to move on and worry about his next gig, so that plays a big factor if he will be coaching again soon. But from what it seems, we all like him and he loves Michigan.. so I wouldn't mind seeing him from time to time. He doesn't need to "make appearnces" or be announced to the home crowd at halftime or something lol. 

anyway, thanks for the replies. was just thinking about it today and thought I'd ask.

DonAZ

January 17th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^

Yeah, I know what you're getting at ... but my guess is coaching is in Hoke's bones.  Just banking the money and taking it easy isn't in him. 

He'll be out of coaching a year and pop back up somewhere.  I'll be happy for him and happy for the young men he has the ability to influence in a positive way.

mgoblue0970

January 16th, 2015 at 4:45 PM ^

I'd shake his hand.  Tell him sorry it didn't work out... and maybe buy him a beer so I could hear all kinds of good inside stories about the program.

UMChick77

January 16th, 2015 at 4:46 PM ^

I would say a 4 year cycle would have to occur before he would feel comfortable coming back around and to where it wouldn't look odd. Four years removed, all of his guys current and recruited are long gone---four years can seem like a lifetime in football seasons.