GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- The Pokey Search for Michigan’s Hokey

Posted at 6:00am — 1/13/2011

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — The Pokey Search for Michigan’s Hokey

It is done, what be that, one can ask? The search for Michigan’s new head coach is over. Some would say finally it is over. But predictably just when the search seemed it could not be any “pokier” the end came quick. And just as predictably, to many, the final pick was Coach Brady Hoke, once and again of the University of Michigan.

Coach Hoke was not the flavor of the month or the year, instead the flavor of the day. He was not the “sexy pick,” or the triumphant hero riding back into town with legions singing glory to Ann Arbor. Although frankly Coach Hoke looks like he could be a wonderful Radames in Aida, with a voice make over, using the Big House as a backdrop versus the venerable pyramids.

Never mind, Coach Hoke has his life’s dream and if Coach Hoke wins the praise will follow.

There will be much discussed and 20-20 vision will be plentiful in the first year of Coach Hoke’s tenure. This discussion can already be organized into themes and threads that will take stage long before spring practice.

Thread One: The Pokey Search
Forget the idea of this topic settling down for months. Success will hasten amnesia, but for now obvious questions more than linger regarding the nature of the timetable set forth for the evaluation and firing of Coach Rodriguez, and the search and hiring process that ending on Coach Hoke’s doorstep. David Brandon did wait until after the season, remaining in a pre-determined process, one not typical of how big institutions handle coaching changes. This begs the question as to if this process was convenient to some parties, now since previous, rather than a valued protocol. So, in summary was the search real or mere smoke?

Thread Two: The Candidates
Glory to Ann Arbor was ringing in the minds of Michigan’s fans remembering past glory. Jim Harbaugh, the choice for the new Radames of Stadium and Main, was expected to land in a fashionable jet, be whisked into a stunning limo, and deliver a shuddering message to the fan base. No message east of the Bay Area materialized.

Enter Les Miles, thought by some to have been previously jilted, who again entered the national search scene briefly. Reading between the lines, it appears Miles did not get an instant offer, if he received an offer at all. This begs the question, why so? Was it money, was it hesitancy on Michigan’s administration, was Brandon handcuffed and demoted to messenger boy?

Glory! The look alike Radames, Brady Hoke, gets the call. How long did it take for Coach Hoke to accept a verbal offer? Less than a few seconds is the guess here. And on we go to thread three.

Thread Three: The Plagues Placed on Egypt, err, Ann Arbor That Is!
Has the sky really fallen with the hiring of Coach Hoke? History is replete with examples of individuals who could care less than less (not Les) about what others think and instead maintain confidence in the chosen mission, produce a great vision, gather the resources to achieve, and outwork the competition. The Avis Effect can be powerful and motivate better than the hero conqueror status.

What will the effect of the collective hiring and firing process be on new Athletic Director David Brandon? Was this his vision, or as stated above, was his power and authority influenced and decreased by extraordinary powers? Was he influenced to make a hire he was not comfortable with? Probably not so is the initial verdict here.

What will happen to the players and recruits? Probably what always happens in such situations, some will leave and some will embrace the new regime. Some recruits will return to the coop and some will never be seen or heard from again (at least from UM’s point of view). One thing for certain is there will be a difference.

Will recruiting past this year be successful? That probably depends on the image and perception recruits construct of the “new, new Michigan.” Ann Arbor and Michigan can still sell solid recruits, those seeking a great education in a wonderful environment. But winning will take care of many things, including plagues, real or imagined.

Will the disappointed part of the Michigan fan base go AWOL or poison the well from the very inception of Coach Hoke’s tenure? Getting off to a much better start than Coach Rodriguez did, both on and off the field, may help. Will fans accept Coach Hoke’s less than flamboyant style, or does the fan base demand Urban Meyer like persona? Winning is the best enhancer of persona. Will fans accept the fact that Hoke is more of a solid coach with no smoke trailing him than a big name? Can the common man triumph? Can loyalty and respect be parlayed into part of a formula for success?

As a defensive specialist can Coach Hoke overcome and reverse the actual plague of bad defense at Michigan? This will depend on teaching ability of assistants and recruiting success. In today’s world of competitive football, the mere presence of anyone, possibly excluding Monte Kiffin, does not guarantee a good defense. It is not the best of times to be a defensive coordinator in the world of high tech offenses.

The pokey mission is over and Hoke emerges triumphant, albeit without serious competition. Brandon wanted a Michigan Man and he got his wish. Or was this the wish of others?

It matters not, as from this day forward, at least for a period of time, the less heralded Brady Hoke will get his chance. The job will be tough and he knows it. But Coach Hoke will not fall victim to false security. He deserves support and best wishes as this new chapter begins. He also deserves the resources he will need to succeed, including what it takes to build a great staff. But sooner or later, his skill, across a broad domain of particulars, will be the primary factor in his level of success.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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