A release from the University of Michigan:
University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon announced today (Tuesday, Jan. 11) the hiring of Brady Hoke as the 19th coach in the 131-year history of Michigan football. Hoke arrives in Ann Arbor after spending the past eight seasons as a head coach at Ball State (2003-08) and San Diego State (2009-10).
“We are pleased to announce the hiring of Brady,” said Brandon. “He is a terrific coach and will be a great ambassador and leader for our football program. We look forward to having him build a championship program on the field and in the classroom.”
Hoke spent eight seasons in Ann Arbor before embarking on his head coaching career. He mentored the Wolverines defensive line all eight seasons, a group that helped Michigan rank annually among the nation’s best in rushing and total defense. Hoke coached three linemen to All-America honors during his tenure – William Carr (1996), Glen Steele (1997) and Rob Renes (1999) – and had five players earn first-team All-Big Ten accolades.
A member of Michigan’s national championship staff in 1997, Hoke helped the defense lead the nation in rushing defense at 89 yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry. Michigan’s team posted a 5-3 record against Michigan State, Ohio State and in bowl games during Hoke’s tenure on the staff.
Hoke was named the 2010 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Aztecs to a 9-4 overall record and 5-3 conference mark. He led SDSU to its first bowl game in 12 years, a 35-14 victory over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. Six of his players earned first-team All-MWC honors in 2010, including running back Ronnie Hamilton, the league’s freshman of the year. In his first season at San Diego State, Hoke had five players named to All-MWC teams, while 11 players were MWC All-Academic selections.
Hoke took the leadership position at his alma mater, Ball State, in 2003 and built it into a championship program before departing after six seasons for the West Coast. He mentored players to 35 All-MAC selections in six years en route to a pair of bowl game appearances in 2007 and ’08. The 2008 season marked the best season in program history, tallying a school-record 12 wins and completing an undefeated Mid-American Conference regular season campaign. His team won the west division championship in 2008 and shared the division crown in 2007.
Hoke has 28 years of collegiate experience, with assistant coaching stints at Grand Valley State (1983), Western Michigan (1984-86), Toledo (1987-88), Oregon State (1989-94) and Michigan (1995-2002).
A 1982 graduate of Ball State University, Hoke earned four letters (1977-80) with the Cardinals. He was part of the only two teams in school history to post undefeated conference seasons: as a player in 1978, and as head coach in 2008. Hoke led BSU to the 1978 MAC championship, and as a team captain in 1980 earned All-MAC second team honors.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Hoke graduated from Fairmont East High School in 1977. Hoke and his wife, the former Laura Homberger, have one daughter, Kelly.
Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon will hold a press conference to introduce Coach Hoke on Wednesday (Jan. 12) at 1 p.m. EST. The media opportunity will be held at the Junge Family Champions Center located between the Michigan Stadium and Crisler Arena tunnels. The press conference is not open to the public. Both Brandon and Hoke will be unavailable for media interviews until tomorrow’s press conference.
The Domino's Pizza plane that Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon took Monday night from Baton Rouge, La., to Willow Run Airport took off again at 1:09 this afternoon.
The plane is bound for John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Calif., according to a flight plan available online.
The plane is expected to land at 5:57 p.m. Detroit time.
It is not known whether Brandon is aboard the plane. With its destination being southern California, it fuels two bits of speculation:
• Brandon is headed to meet with Brady Hoke, the former U-M assistant coach who now leads San Diego State.
• The plane has been sent to bring Hoke to Ann Arbor.
The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that http://www.signon.mobi/sdut/db_13418/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=AtsaFSdm&detailindex =1&pn=0&ps=3" target="top">Hoke is in discussions to become Michigan's coach.
Hoke, a 52-year-old who coached the defensive line at U-M for eight seasons (1995-2002), has built two programs since leaving Ann Arbor -- first Ball State, which he took to a 12-1 record in 2008, then San Diego State, which he took to a 9-4 record this season in just his second year.
Hoke made it clear to the San Diego State administration his love for Michigan and that he likely would leave if offered U-M's job.
Brandon is a former CEO of Domino's and is still on its board. He has used the plane at least part of the time for his search to find Rich Rodriguez's replacement. He fired Rodriguez on Wednesday.
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Originally Posted by TFM_Dale
