Former Michigan Coach Brady Hoke Weighs In On Michigan State Loss Even Though No One Asked Him

SteveHolt11 years ago

Former Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke, who was fired after a less-than-stellar 31-20 career record in four seasons Michigan, decided, for some stupid reason, that people cared what he has to say about the end of the Michigan vs. Michigan State game.

Hoke shared his thoughts on his radio show (because no one hired him to coach football again) this week. He says he would have gone for it on fourth down and avoided punting altogether. Yeah, hindsight is 20/20, my friend.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Asked if the punt was the problem, he broke down the issues.

“There’s too many mechanical parts to it,” he said. “The one gunner to the field should have been in a little bit more. If you are going to be in there’s ways to protect it a little bit better. Hold the guys, have the other guys come in a little bit. I, as a coach, you’ve got to play to your strength. And your strength is your defense. And if it’s a Hail Mary and that’s all it would have been…”

His co-host, Mark Packer, cut him off and asked about going for it on fourth down.

“Your playbook’s open now,” Hoke said. “If you throw the ball, the clock’s going to stop anyway, if you don’t make it, because of the fourth down. You have an ability to give (U-M tailback) De’Veon Smith the ball, challenge your offensive line or play-action pass because Michigan State’s going to be aggressive. You take some time off the clock, four or five seconds. A 60-yard field goal, (MSU’s Michael) Geiger before the game was 5 of 9 and it’s a 60 yard field goal.”

O’Neill bobbled the snap, another issue Hoke felt would have been avoided if they ran a normal fourth down play.

Nothing like hearing from an armchair coach, especially when he used to be the real-life coach of a Michigan team that was so disappointing that many questioned whether or not the program would ever be a powerhouse again. Luckily, the school canned his ass and went out to get Jim Harbaugh, who has single-handedly turned the program around in less than a season and had it one-botched punt away from being a serious playoff contender.

Thanks for your input, Brady. Now if you would kindly go kick rocks, it would be much appreciated..

[via Detroit Free Press]

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