After days of speculation fused with “no comment” dismissals from Denard Robinson in regards to his future in Ann Arbor, new Michigan coach Brady Hoke has told both 107.3 WBBL FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg that Robinson will remain with the Maize and Blue.
“Yes. I don’t question that at all,” Hoke told Rittenberg.
“We’ve had great conversations. I’m so impressed with him as a kid and his humility and his vision and his love for Michigan. So that’s been real positive. It’s just fun being around him. He wants a Michigan degree and he feels very good about Michigan.”
Hoke reportedly spoke with Robinson yesterday and today, likely about the sophomore’s future with the Wolverines’ offense. It will be interesting to hear Robinson’s side of these conversations -- given if and/or when he decides to speak about it. Apparently, though, the answers were good enough for one of college football’s most explosive athletes, and potential Heisman candidate, to stick around.
“Offensively, you never want to put a square peg in a round hole,” Hoke said. “We understand that when you have play makers, you’ve got to be able to utilize them to their fullest so that they’re going to help your football team. With Denard, his capabilities, obviously he’s a tremendous athlete that can do a lot of things for you on offense.”
Despite schematic differences, Hoke clearly has an offensive plan that utilizes Robinson’s ability. It’s another quality of good coaching that sets the former Michigan assistant apart from his predecessor, Rich Rodriguez, who upon his arrival in Ann Arbor, clearly had no interest in working with some freshman quarterback named Ryan Mallett.