Michigan’s Hoke fired up to face rival OSU

Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

Brady Hoke set the tone for a new era of Michigan football with his mouth and fist, pounding the lectern with each word when asked about the suddenly lopsided rivalry with Ohio State.

“It’s like none other in football,” Hoke said when he introduced as the leader of college football’s winningest team Wednesday, a week after Rich Rodriguez was fired. “Being engaged in that battle for eight years and growing up in the state, you knew Bo and Woody and the great fights they had. It is the most important game on that schedule. Not that the others aren’t important, but it is the most important game on that schedule.

“It’s almost personal.”

The late, great coaches of the storied programs — Michigan’s Bo Schembechler and Ohio State’s Woody Hayes — likely would’ve loved the passion that poured out of Hoke when he landed his dream job.

“I think my dad is probably as happy as anybody right now,” Shemy Schembechler said with a smile after attending Hoke’s news conference. “This is an exciting day for Michigan.”

Hoke, who turned around San Diego State and Ball State after being a Michigan assistant for eight seasons, might not have been the fans’ first choice because many of them wanted Jim Harbaugh or Les Miles to restore the program as a national power.

Athletic director Dave Brandon said he had discussions with both of them, but insisted neither were offered the job.

Brandon had Hoke on his list of candidates from the start and liked him even more after talking to coaches who played against him and hearing from former Michigan stars such as Tom Brady and Charles Woodson lobby him to hire Hoke.

Hoke’s chances to have success next season are tied to his ability to persuade Denard Robinson to stay after becoming the NCAA’s first player to throw and run for 1,500 yards in Rodriguez’s spread offense. Robinson’s high school coach, Art Taylor, said he has heard from 10 to 15 schools about the dual-threat quarterback.