Brady Hoke's first year as head coach at Michigan was also the first year that I really started following the Wolverines. It was the first season that I HAD to watch every game, I HAD to buy U-Mich gear, and I HAD to learn as much history as I could possibly squeeze into my already football-obsessed mind.
I've always kind of kept up with college football (you kind of have no choice in my family), but never the way that I follow the NFL. I didn't know much about Brady Hoke, just what others were saying about him. And for the most part, everyone seemed to think that he would be a good fit for Michigan's football program. Coach Hoke had a great start at Michigan, going 11-2 in his first season, and winning the Sugar Bowl. I've never prayed so hard over a college football game. Since his first year, the Wolverines have been nothing more than mediocre. Their 11-2 season was followed up by an 8-5 season, a 7-6 season, and 5-7 this season.
He inherited Denard Robinson to lead their high-powered offense. Since Robinson was drafted into the NFL, Michigan has lacked a legit quarterback. I like Devin Gardner, but not as a starter in this system (he should stick to wide receiver, in my opinion). What changed with the system? I thought Robinson and Gardner had similar playing styles? True, they do. But after Hoke's first season, they drifted away from the spread option offense and began to establish a more traditional one. Robinson became more of a drop-back passer and things haven't been the same since. Both quarterbacks struggled behind offensive lines that, more often than not, seemed to be nonexistent.
I love Brady Hoke as a person, and think that he can be a successful head coach at the college level, just not at Michigan. His ability to coach and his understanding of the game should not be questioned. He had a good run as an assistant coach at UM, and his first season as HC in Ann Arbor is pretty good proof.
In my opinion, his inability to scout talent and his struggle to develop players are his biggest flaws.
So where does Michigan go from here?
Unlike many Wolverines fans, I don't want Jim Harbaugh. Yeah yeah, I know, who wouldn't want Harbaugh to come back and coach at his Alma Mater? Call me crazy, whatever. He's good at what he does, but I don't particularly love the idea. I also do not see him leaving the NFL where he will draw major attention this offseason.
Les Miles I can kind of get on board with. The main thing I don't like about him right now is that he wears that God awful yellow and purple. The LSU head coach would be a good fit and could get Michigan back to winning within the next 2 seasons. He's high on my board.
Dan Mullen is another one that I believe could be the answer to the Wolverine's prayers. He's had a pretty fantastic season at Mississippi State and he could most definitely bring that level of success to Michigan.
Michigan tried to hire Greg Schiano 6 years ago. After a short (disappointing) stint in the NFL, he's out of a job and could be getting some calls from several college programs, soon. He wouldn't be my first choice but he kind of fits the Michigan "style". You know he'd run a much better offense than Hoke ever did, and I firmly believe he can recruit four and five star recruits to Ann Arbor.
Jon Gruden is a name that I've heard a couple of times but there is no way that is happening. I think that the only way Gruden would considering coaching again, is if the right opportunity opened up in the NFL.
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