How Much Time Does Brady Hoke Have?

Unfortunately, the University of Michigan lost its third consecutive football game on Saturday. This time, the score was Rutgers 26 and the Wolverines 24. In their loss to Utah and Minnesota, they were simply outplayed and likely out coached. Although I didn’t see the Rutgers game, the score suggests that Michigan was in the game to the end. For the past few weeks, the media has been relentless, with its desire to remove Coach Brady Hoke and A.D. Dave Brandon. The apparent concussion to sophomore quarterback Shane Morris in the Minnesota game brought more negative criticism and media outrage. Should Brady Hoke, go along with Dave Brandon? If there is going to be a coaching change during the season, it would likely happen during Michigan’s bye week.

Let’s go back to 1968, when there was a coaching change. In 1968, the Michigan Wolverines finished the season with eight victories and two defeats. However, the last defeat of the season was to the Ohio State Buckeyes-the big rival. During that game, the halftime score was Ohio State 21, and Michigan 14. It seemed that Michigan was still in the game. By the end of the game, it was Ohio State 50 and Michigan 14. In fact, Coach Woody Hayes went for a two-point conversion on their last touchdown. When asked why he went for two points, he replied, “Because I couldn’t go for three.”

At the time, Michigan’s football coach was Bump Elliott. Elliott was an All-American, a Rose Bowl winner as a player, and in fact, even coached his Wolverine’s to a Rose Bowl win. Coach Elliott was loved by all, especially the players he recruited. He also impressed the parents of his recruits by being well-dressed, polite, sincere and speaking, impeccable English.

The athletic director was Don Canham, a track and field All-American, as well as a track coach, whose team set world records. Canham apparently had no difficulty in removing Bump Elliott, as head coach and replacing him with the rough and tough Bo Schembechler.

Perhaps, if Canham was A.D. today, he would have no difficulty removing Coach Brady Hoke. Everyone agrees that Brady Hoke is a nice guy. When A.D. Canham hired Bo, he wasn’t looking for a nice guy. He was looking for a no-nonsense tough as nails coach like Bo Schembechler. However, this is 2014 and not 1968. What is certain at this point, is the story goes on. Keep tuned for developments.