After accepting the job as Michigan’s head football coach just yesterday, Brady Hoke wasted no time ensuring that his team’s most explosive player would remain a Wolverine.
Hoke said yesterday on 107.3 WBBL’s The Huge Show that sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson will return under center for Michigan next season.
“Yes, yes,” Hoke said when asked by host Bill Simonson whether Robinson would remain in Ann Arbor. “We’ve had great conversations. I’ll tell you, he is a tremendous young man, and the humbleness that he has shown is something that we’re proud to have him, obviously.”
Athletic Director Dave Brandon confirmed Thursday evening as well via his Twitter account that Robinson will be returning for his junior season.
The most important conversation may have came yesterday when Hoke was supposed to meet one-on-one with Robinson to discuss his place in Michigan’s new offense, according to Robinson’s former high school coach Art Taylor.
“Just the time I’ve got to spend with him and his personality and everything about him, I really, really am impressed with (him),” Hoke said in a separate this morning on WTKA-AM1050. “There’s no question he believes in Michigan, he loves Michigan and he’ll be a big part of our program. I’ve seen enough of him to know he can be the quarterback of the Wolverines.”
Hoke is bringing his offense coordinator, Al Borges, from San Diego State. Borges has a history of running the pro-style offense and there was some concern that Robinson wouldn’t be utilized to his full potential. Considering Robinson became the first ever quarterback to ever throw for 2,000 yards and run for 1,500 yards, the question of whether Hoke would play to his strengths was one that caused some speculation that Robinson may transfer.
Taylor told The Michigan Daily yesterday that he thought the idea of a transfer might be “in the back of (Denard’s) mind.” With Thursday’s announcement, however, Michigan fans can rest easy that their superstar quarterback will be back in Ann Arbor for at least another year.
Taylor said yesterday that two main factors had to have played a part in Robinson’s decision.
“I think the big thing is he really does love the University of Michigan,” Taylor said. “And he really doesn’t want to sit out a year.
Taylor also acknowledged that Robinson’s beloved status among fans in Ann Arbor definitely solidified his decision to stay. During the basketball team’s loss to Ohio State last night, fans gave Robinson a thunderous ovation when he appeared on the big screen, chanting “Hail to the Victors.”
“It’s clear he’s just really wanted there,” Taylor said.