Brady Hoke has Michigan off to strong start on recruiting trail
Without coaching a game, new Michigan coach Brady Hoke already is already having remarkable success in his four months on the job.
Terry Richardson of Cass Tech in Detroit, a four-star defensive back, became the 12th commitment for recruiting class of 2012 when he announced for the Wolverines on Thursday. The pledge by Richardson is the fifth by a four-star defensive prospect, showing Hoke's focus on that side of the ball.
The new coach, however, isn't eager to take credit for the impressive early showing in recruiting. Instead, he points to his assistants and the program's stature.
"Fortunately, we have (assistants) who work their tails off in recruiting and extend themselves to the coaches and build great relationships," Hoke said Wednesday at the Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago. "That's where it starts, those guys beating the bushes to do all that stuff. We've got a great product. We've got the greatest university in the country in Michigan. From an academic standpoint, from a football standpoint of it, the tradition, 131 years, going to be 132 years. Michigan tradition sells itself pretty good."
One area where Hoke has made a difference is in Ohio. Four players from the state are already committed to Michigan. That area is a priority for Hoke, who recruited the state as a Michigan assistant.
"Ohio high school football is as good as anybody," Hoke said. "You've got population base, you've got high school coaches who are dedicated and do a great job of teaching the fundamentals. Definitely. The state of Michigan, the state of Ohio, Chicago are places we want to be a presence and compete for kids."
Contributing: Detroit Free Press
