All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee Football: Four Things Brady Hoke Brings to Vols as Defensive Line Coach

By Caleb Calhoun

Apr 30, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Brady Hoke watches from the sideline before the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Brady Hoke watches from the sideline before the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates a two-point conversion against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates a two-point conversion against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Ability to Scout Talent

It is oh so perfect to bring this up right now in light of what just happened.

But did you know that it was Brady Hoke, the defensive ends coach at the time, who pushed for the Michigan Wolverines to recruit Tom Brady in the 1990s?

That’s right.

Hoke went for Brady at a time when he could barely generate any interest. Before even Lloyd Carr and especially before any NFL scouts saw anything in Brady, Hoke was the guy who brought him in.

Maybe it’s because Hoke’s first name is the same as Tom’s last name.

Or, if you look at his history, it’s because he has an amazing eye for talent.

Hoke’s 2013 class, which was the best class he had while at Michigan, did not just have a bunch of stars that worked out.

He scouted a ton of talent in that class, and as a result, Jim Harbaugh was starting 13 players from that year alone on this past year’s team.

Of the seven highest ranked players from that class, only one contributed significantly this year. Hoke found the other guys that nobody else wanted.

They were blue-collar guys primarily from the Midwest, Michigan and Ohio to be exact, and they laid the foundation for what Harbaugh and Michigan want to do.

Joining Tennessee football, Hoke adds to Butch Jones’s reputation as a great talent scouter. That’s a huge plus for the Vols going forward. And he can also significantly help Jones in another area.

Home/Vols Football