Has your general feeling/optimism about 2014 changed?

Feeling better now but still worry about Funk. Still I love this hire really a whole lot.

I was already optimistic that 2014 would be better than 2013.  Having a new OC doesn't change that.  It might get us an additional win, perhaps even two that we might otherwise have not gotten, but there will be no way to know that. 

 

This was an important step for Michigan, for Hoke, and for Brandon to take.

First, and most importantly, they got the right person for the job. Second, the firing and replacement was handled with apparent integrity, in a way that was short, sweet, and without leaving our former OC dangling in the breeze wondering what was up.

This shows class and increased sophistication on the part of Brandon, and flexibility in Hoke. It was unexpected, and left me with a far better feeling of confidence in the future of the program.

So yes, my feeling about 2014's potential is changed. I think it'll also have a positive effect on recruiting. So it's a big win for Michigan.

 

Obvious is obvious.

I've gone from zero hope to reasonable optimism.  I felt under Borges we have no chance for success.  At least now we have the unknown of someone who has had a lot of success.  This unknown IMO is better, even though we still have personnel problems.

I'm more optimistic because Hoke recognized that our O needed an upgrade and made the change. I thought Funk would get shown the door first.

The last game I attended was Nebraska. We picked up their muffed punt and ran it in for a nontouchdown. That gave us the ball around the 25 yd line whereupon we continued to pound our heads against a brick wall by running the ball into the middle of the line (to no avail). I have never heard UM fans boo so loudly. I don't ever want to hear it again. So, obviously, I have a tiny bit more optimism.

And frankly it gives me more confidence in Brady Hoke.

Might just upgrade the season tickets this year!

I personally am just excited for the change in offensive philosophy. I remember being at the Iowa in 2011 and thinking to myself "what the hell is Al thinking" over and over again. I'm excited for the possibilities and like Brian said Borges would have been the reason for at least a couple losses each year, just because of his own damn stubbornness.

No, in that I think our 2014 record was going to be a function of our O-line stepping up or not. I think any improvements in their coaching and utilization of talent are counterbalanced by adjusting to a new coach and new schemes, even if they're a lot like the old schemes. (Put another way, I fall into the "no play is good when you can't block and it's not the OCs fault we can't block high school pass protections" camp.) No, in that I expect our first nonsuccessful play at a critical juncture to get the rabid MGoBlog treatment and calls to fire our OC for calling such an obviously stupid play; we didn't change fanbases after all. Yes, in that I think this is an improvement in the long term, and makes it more likely that Hoke gets 2015 and beyond to pull us out of our smoking crater. Yes, in that I think this move, whether or not it works out, showcases a decision process in Hoke that I like; namely, being decisive and acting on opportunities when they present themselves, while not leaving Borges twisting in the wind.