Pausing, he added, “Some of you had the same goals.”
The second-year Wolverines football coach entertained several hundred attendees — including his mother and sister (his father, John Hoke, passed away at age 80 in March) — at the Presidential Banquet Center with a brief speech and a short Q&A session. He even managed to draw a few laughs when his jokes bombed.
Hoke noted he was a criminal justice major in college. Alluding to a handful of arrests of his players since he took over at Michigan, he said, “A lot of people think that background in criminal justice is helping us today.” When no one laughed, he added: “This might be one of the slowest crowds I’ve ever been around.”
Hoke hit on a variety of topics during his speech.
• On the so-called gentlemen’s agreement between Big Ten coaches about not recruiting players who have committed to other schools, he said: “No. 1, we have an actual signing day for a reason. That is, they can change their minds until they sign. This is competitive. This isn’t ... I’d like to say golf — don’t take offense. I’ve never heard of agreements or not agreements. Look, they’re 18 to 23 years old. They got a lot going on, more so now than when I was 18 to 23.”
• On the future of conference realigment:
“I think really in about three years you’ll see four super conferences, and I think the Big East will go away and maybe the ACC. But look, I’m just a coach. I don’t know all of it.”
Before his speech, Hoke raved about two local products who figure to play prominent roles this season.
• On freshman Kaleb Ringer, an early enrollee from Northmont:
“He had a great spring. He had over a 3.0 (GPA). He did a great job from the academic side of it. He did a nice job of learning the defense. He was awesome. I think he can be in the mix (for playing time).”
• On senior receiver Roy Roundtree, a Trotwood-Madison grad:
“He’s doing great. He’s going to wear No. 21 in honor of (Heisman Trophy winner) Desmond Howard. It’s a big deal. Desmond is fired up. Roy is fired up. And I’m fired up.”
The Agonis Club recognized the top athletes from the University of Dayton and Wright State and a local product competing at a college outside the area.
A high school coach and player of the year also were honored.
The winners: UD women’s basketball player Justine Raterman, WSU baseball player Jake Hibberd, Michigan State football player Jerel Worthy, Centerville football player Benny McGowan and Northmont baseball coach Chuck Harlow.
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