As Michigan tries to move forward as a school and a football program in the aftermath of the recent concussion incident involving starting quarterback Shane Morris, a report has emerged that will leave many Wolverine fans feeling angry and bitter.
On his weekly podcast, Bruce Feldman revealed that embattled coach Brady Hoke was chosen by Athletic Director Dave Brandon ahead of some other very qualified applicants - and one in particular that has gone on to have quite a bit of success.
In 2011, when Brandon was searching for a replacement for Rich Rodriguez, he turned down now Texas A&M head coach, Kevin Sumlin.
"I don't know how many people know this, but when Dave Brandon was interviewing to replace Rich Rod, one of the guys he actually interviewed was Kevin Sumlin. And he turned down Kevin Sumlin and ended up taking Brady Hoke, the Michigan guy. And I can't imagine too many Michigan fans are thrilled now that they know that that was the decision that was made ... [Sumlin] was one of the guys they considered, and they didn't want ... Not a Michigan guy, though, and they wanted the Michigan man," Feldman said.
Sumlin was the coach at the University of Houston at the time, and was coming off of a 5-7 2010 season. Hoke had just posted a 9-4 record at San Diego State.
Amid the concussion scandal and questions of Michigan's overall talent level and ability to compete (and even some fan consternation over Hoke's decision not to wear a headset on the sidelines, something that could possibly have helped prevent concussion-gate), this report is sure to ruffle some feathers.
As A&M's head coach, Sumlin has overseen a program with a 20-6 record and victories in the Cotton Bowl and Chik-fil-A Bowl over the past two seasons. In his first year as head coach, the team compiled its first ever 11-win season.
He has been a national coach of the year finalist on 3 occasions.
Hoke, on the other hand, has seen nothing but failure after going 11-2 in his inaugural season at Michigan with a roster built by his predecessor, Rodriguez. The Wolverines have won a total of 15 games and lost 9 of their last 11 against Power Five teams in the following two-plus seasons.
Now, sitting at 2-3 after their loss to Minnesota - the first time Michigan has lost three games before October in their history - Hoke's behind is firmly planted on the hot seat.
With the revelation that he was chosen over another wildly successful coach, it seems like only a matter of time before the axe falls and Hoke's head is rolling out the door.
