Recruiting Proves that Michigan is Still a National Program

by TuffLynx on Feb 2, 2011 7:11 PM CST

When Brady Hoke was announced as the new coach at Michigan, his introductory press conference had some interesting moments. Some in the press questioned whether Michigan still has nationwide recognition for the football program. The response by Hoke was one of the highlights of the day when he said "This is Michigan for God's sake!"

Hoke and the Wolverines have answered the critics in an even more important way during this recruiting season. The Michigan coaching staff managed to sign players from California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland and Texas. The majority of recruits are still from Michigan and Ohio. But that is nothing new.

Brady Hoke returned to a recruiting strategy that Michigan used successfully in the Lloyd Carr era. Carr's teams were also predominantly from the best recruits in Michigan and Ohio with a smattering of star athletes from other states from coast to coast.

The point that is driven home by the recent recruiting class for Michigan, is that they still have national recognition among the athletes. Most of these kids grew up while Michigan was a national power and left impressions that are not going to fade from a couple of bad seasons. Michigan still has national brand recognition that rivals other national college brands.

The challenge for Hoke was trying to connect with recruits and make an impression in a very short period of time. Hoke was given only three weeks to complete the recruiting class and that was a very tall order. The new Michigan coach approached it with enthusiasm and nailed down some excellent recruits.

Brady Hoke has moved Michigan decisively back into contention for national recruits. Now all he has to do is win games and everything will fall into place.

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21 recruits

Hoke added 11 kids in tree weeks. Just amazing.

Maize n Brew
Because Football is Better with Beer

by Maize n Brew Dave on Feb 3, 2011 8:12 AM CST reply actions

I agree

I was busy so missed 1/2 of the signing day coverage but when I caught the headline that we pulled in the 21st rank class and in that short amount of time I was beaming with hope(or is it with Hoke?).

I think if we can have a smooth transition this year it should translate to an insane class next year and it sounds like we’ve got some big prospects lined up too.

Confidence in the team has steadily grown since Hoke’s hiting after it bottomed out and hit apocolyptic levels January 2nd.

by goblue14 on Feb 4, 2011 3:38 PM CST up reply actions

ugh

I am sorry; I’m clearly grumpy this morning, and thanks for taking the time to post and hope you have dug out from all the snow and not attacking you personally and all that …

but seriously?

I know RichRod laid you all low, but I didn’t realize he laid you so low you are hand-wringing about whether you are still a national power.

Seriously? I mean you quoted him: Coach Hoke got it right: “This is Michigan.”

If you weren’t a national power, we wouldn’t give a rat’s fanny about kicking your ass every year in EVERYTHING … well, except hockey (and women’s archery or volleyball or some such … don’t know what it was, but saw we lost the other day).

Gawd, RichRod removed all your hope and ripped out your spines!

Bleeeah He should have been fired for that alone. Again, apologies. I’ll go take a nap now.

by WarBuck46410 on Feb 6, 2011 11:06 AM CST reply actions

I agree

This is more a response to the local media than to fans. There are some reporters that question whether the football program at Michigan is still nationally relevant. The great majority of Michigan fans and alumni would scoff at the idea that Michigan has devolved to a regional program. But the media has an agenda. They are more about creating controversy because that gets them into the spotlight. To much of our reporting these days is about bomb throwing to create an angry debate.

by TuffLynx on Feb 7, 2011 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

Try not to be so hard on RichRod. He did well in recruiting OFFENSE. He would be a good Offensive coach – especially I think if he had Brady Hoke running the rest of the team.
He has a lot of stress – but I think he did a job 1/2 done right?

by Hoke & RichRod on Feb 7, 2011 9:55 PM CST reply actions

I am not a RichRod hater...

I am in the camp that feels RichRod could have been successful at Michigan if he did not have to face so much negative press and put more priority on defense.

by TuffLynx on Feb 8, 2011 4:13 PM CST up reply actions