UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[jaadam4]

there's a lot of truth to that

[WM Wolverine]

Harbaugh imo is re-establishing M's brand as 'elite.' After the past decade of very lousy football and some mediocre football before that. Harbaugh very quickly has M's brand back to being elite and that'll help him lure good talent nationally.

[iam416]

Yeah, but there is a pretty strong argument that the M "brand" was as "elite" as it is now after Hoke's first season. He was just coming off an 11-2 season, beat Ohio State, won a BCS Bowl, had the #6 recruiting class and was in the process of signing a top 5 class (289+ points). And those two classes are now the backbone of what M fans think is a national title caliber team.

So, you know, M sucked under RichGOD, but Hoke had them inching back. He just couldn't coach. When you're blaming Hoke for M's inevitable downturn in 2017 and possibly 2018, remember who built the foundation of the 2016 team.

[Pasadena Blue]

couldn't disagree more ---- most except us M fans with Maize-colored glasses doubted Hoke. JH is much different, and I don't think that's a biased M fan's take.

[iam416]

I think M fans are more confident in JH, but don't play off the general fanbase feel after Hoke's first season and then the 32* weekend. I mean, I consider this forum relatively grounded and the record is clear.

[The Oracle]

You said it yourself, Hoke could recruit and not coach. Most here thought the same. We were relying way too much on our coordinators to do the heavy lifting.

[iam416]

Hindsight is clear. Contemporaneously, optimism ruled the day.

[Mike]

I felt like someone punched me in the stomach and nearly threw up when Hoke was hired. One of the darkest days in UM history.

[lineygoblue]

^^^^

[WM Wolverine]

I said when Hoke was hired he'd need top notch coordinators.

[jaadam4]

I felt like someone punched me in the stomach and nearly threw up when Hoke was hired. One of the darkest days in UM history.

This!! I was hoping for Miles and then the axe fell. Even after a good season you could tell it was a mirage. I liked his fire for Michigan but it was clear he belonged solely as a recruiter or Chris Farley impersonator.

[Wellington_beefhouser]

I don't see anything that indicates an "inevitable" downturn coming in 2017 and 2018. Therefore, no need to blame Hoke for anything. He did the best that he could with what he had. However, winning. JH seems to have this thing about him that says "I'm willing to out work any motherfucker on this planet, come and try me." I love that, kids want to play for a guy like that, and people do great things with the at attitude. To the moon!!! or just 35+ camps in June.

[Detroit Dan]

IAM makes a good point. Hoke's first year was very impressive, and he followed that up with stellar recruiting. In hindsight, however, it's clear that Harbaugh's credentials are much better than Hoke's.

[hack]

Not even in hindsight. It was always clear!

[lineygoblue]

I took a big swig of the kool-aid after Hoke's first year as well. I admit it. I thought just maybe, Brandon got it right.

However, as he continued into Year 2, that punch in the gut started hurting more and more. And trust me, I know something about belly pain nowadays ..