Did Michigan really hire the best football coach it could find in Brady Hoke?
Or did they hire the guy who understood them best?
Today, the winningest program in college football history officially hires a man with a career losing record.
At some universities, understanding the culture of the institution is just as important as what you've done at other places.
This is because if you bring the bloodlines, administrators believe they can provide the support systems to foster success.
Hoke certainly fits the part -- he coached at Michigan for eight seasons. In his job interview with San Diego State, he told his future boss that being the coach of the Wolverines was his "dream job." They hired Hoke anyway, probably thinking Michigan would never be in a such a moribund position to need to steal him away.
They were, this being the result of an attempt to change the culture three years ago. Big mistake.
Rich Rodriquez learned quickly how outsiders are viewed in Ann Arbor -- with contempt. And when he didn't win football games, the fact he was not a "Michigan Man" became such an albatross, he had no friends to help remove the noose around his neck.
That won't happen with Hoke, at least the not-having-friends-around part. He'll have plenty of supporters in Schembechlerville, guaranteed by his maize and blue pedigree, not by his football acumen, which remains unproven.
So is this what's best for Michigan?
Two years ago, Auburn University took a chance on a guy who had just lost 10 games at Iowa State. In his interview, his future bosses must have overlooked his 5-19 overall head coaching record. Instead, they were too busy yucking it up over the time he spent at Auburn as defensive coordinator. This man understands Auburn, they must have said. He gets what we're about. He can say "War Eagle" with pride and dignity (is that even possible?)
Monday night, Gene Chizik was head coach when the Tigers won the national championship.
At some places, knowing where you are is just as important as what you do.
I don't know if Brady Hoke will win a national championship at Michigan in two years (does Cam Newton have a little brother?) or in ten.
I do know at Michigan it matters that he gets Michigan.