Though Brady Hoke may not be the best coach in Michigan football history (Feilding Yost, Fritz Crisler, and Bo Schembechler all probably deserve that honor), I think its asinie to say that he's not a good coach, given the mess the man inherited back in January, 2011. Not only was Michigan coming off a 7-6 season, which included blowout losses to Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, they were coming off three of the worst seasons in Michigan Football history. Recruiting wasn't up to Michigan standards and the team was unprepaired in most games, especially in conference play. Not to mention, there was division within the program. Michigan football was a total mess.
In one year, Hoke took a team that went 7-6 in 2010, and manage to have a 11-2 season, including a major bowl win. Second year, manage to go 8-5 in one of the toughest schedules in the nation, where they were competitive in every game except one (Alabama, which is no shame, since that team won another National title). Though the team hasn't won a Big Ten title yet, the fact that this team went 19-7 in two seasons, given the roster problems this team had (lack of depth and talent at critical positions), I say Hoke has done a fantastic job with this program. To say Michigan isn't on the rise is inaccurate. Recruiting has picked up considerably over the past couple years, and the team is definately a program on the rise. They should be better in 2013. Just saying.
I say the list ESPN has is accurate. Not a fan of Urban Meyer or Ohio State, but one has to give credit where credit is due.
