 |
| Coming Soon: Losing to another small school |
On January 13, 2011 Hoke was hired as the successor to Rich Rodriguez as the University of Michigan football coach. During his first press conference as head coach, he let it be known that the rivalry with Ohio was important to him, and it was going to be important to his players.
Hoke grew up in Kettering, OH, the same hometown which gave us great Buckeye Linebacker and current Green Bay Packer AJ Hawk. John Hoke, Brady's father, played football at the University of Miami (OH) under Woody Hayes and with Bo Schembechler. After high school, Brady attended Ball State University and was a 4 year letter winner in football and served as a captain his senior year (1980).
With the history of Hayes in his background and growing up in Ohio, you would think he would be an Ohio State man. Instead he is now and seems has always been...a Michigan man.
Following a stint as an assistant with the Wolverines Hoke moved on as an assistant coach, including his alma mater Ball State (where the school colors are cardinal and white) and San Diego State (red and black are the school colors). He wouldn't wear red. Period. Instead he chose to wear either white or black on game days. Even Senior Defensive End Ryan Van Bergen has got the message..."His red never came out because he still had the Michigan roots and you never wear red because that is Ohio's color.."
The last time I checked, Ohio University's school colors were hunter green and white. They look a little more Michigan State than Ohio State.
This spring it seems things that were lacking in the Rich Rod era have begun to sprout again in Schembechler Hall. The players know it is the 132nd year for Michigan football, they know about the 42 Big Ten Championships, they remember the traditions, legacies and expectations which are before them. They also know what means the most to their coach.
To him there is only one red letter game this year....against Ohio.
With Hoke dropping the State from Ohio State, even his players (who have trouble tying their own shoes and dressing) has started to do it. It is probably easier for them anyway...not having to remember an extra word when talking to the press about an upcoming opponent.
 |
| They can't even beat Toledo..how are they going to beat Ohio!? |
When I heard him refer to the Buckeyes as just Ohio, I couldn't help but be worried. Worried that we would be hearing more from our brethren down on the Ohio River, wondering if the Harvard on the Hocking had finally made it to the big time in something. Now don't get me wrong, Ohio University is a great school and I thank them for developing Jeff Boals into a wonderful basketball coach, but sometimes their student body gets a little ahead of themselves when it comes to talking about greatness.
He also worried me because when he said that, I knew he understood and respected this rivalry like Jim Tressel does. It worries me because we have enjoyed 7 victories in a row, the last two being basically assurances when the first whistle blew. We have come to expect a win during the final week of the season....and expectations like that are bound to not be met at some point in time.
Too bad OU doesn't have an open week on their schedule when it comes time for Michigan's bye week....Brady would have had a chance to beat Ohio! Oh wait, you know I meant Ohio University when I said OU right?
