Michigan Recruits React to Brady Hoke Firing

Michigan punctuated a football season filled with disappointment and uncertainty by firing head coach Brady Hoke on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports. His four-year tenure featured fewer wins each fall and ends with the latest Wolverines recruiting class stuck in a downward spiral.

Michigan, once a popular destination for the country's premier high school players, currently rates 86th nationally in 247Sports' composite class rankings. That's further down the list than the likes of Florida Atlantic, Louisiana Tech and a San Jose State squad that finished the season on a six-game losing streak.

“Michigan has normally been known as a powerhouse so six or seven wins each year isn’t going to get it done in the eyes of the people in charge," coveted 2016 Georgia wide receiver recruit Josh Imatorbhebhe told Bleacher Report.

Interim athletic director Jim Hackett confirmed that sentiment when he stepped up to the podium and spoke on behalf of "the people in charge":

Michigan and its supporters hope this moment is eventually viewed as the launch of a program rebound. Imatorbhebhe, who received an offer from Hoke in May and visited campus this summer, believes it was a necessary step despite affection for the ousted leader.

"Coach Hoke is a great person; he's shown that to me and he's shown that to plenty of other players over the years," Imatorbhebhe said. "It's a sad thing to have happen, but Michigan is trying to steer things back in the right direction, and obviously, this was something they thought they needed to do.”

The Wolverines are 20-18 since 2012 and just wrapped up a second straight losing season against Big Ten opponents. As the 2014 campaign progressed and things worsened, Michigan's recruiting efforts suffered.

Class	National Ranking	Big Ten Ranking
2011	26th	3rd
2012	6th	2nd
2013	4th	2nd
2014	20th	2nd
2015 (at time of dismissal)	70th	10th

Decommitments decimated a 2015 class that once appeared primed for greatness in Ann Arbor. By the time Hoke was relieved of his duties, the group included only seven pledges.

Quarterback Alex Malzone, an Elite 11 finalist who committed in May, plans to stay on board.

"I'm committed to Michigan 100 percent," he told Bleacher Report. "It's tough to see Coach Hoke go, and I only wish him the best in the future."

Credit: 247Sports

The 4-star passer saw the writing on the wall earlier this fall and understood that only victories could salvage the situation.

"I think Coach Hoke has this team playing its heart out right now, but it's important to win games," Malzone said in October. "The recruits know that. I know that. The coaches know that. If Michigan doesn't start picking up some wins, they could be in trouble. That's just the way it is."

Less than two months later, he's willing to move forward with a program now searching for its fourth coach since 2007. It remains to be seen how many fellow commits feel the same.

Top tight end prospect Chris Clark backed off his verbal pledge shortly after the announcement. He explained the reasoning on Twitter, citing "the unfortunate change in coaching" that ended "unbelievable relationships with Coach Hoke and his staff."

"

I love coach hoke and everything that man is about he was real and genuine

— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) December 2, 2014"

Though Clark stated he is "still very interested" in Michigan, he'll now explore other options. Those are likely to include USC, North Carolina, Texas and South Carolina.

He joins a list of former Michigan commits that already features 5-star running back Damien Harris, Notre Dame-bound defensive back Shaun Crawford and Florida State receiver pledge George Campbell.

Imatorbhebhe, who still has more than a year until he signs with a college team, empathizes with the remaining members of Michigan's 2015 class.

"If they don’t make that coaching change quick, as a 2015 prospect, it would be hard to stick with the program," he said. "You want time to feel settled with a coaching staff and not feel like you’re committing to a temporary package. The situation has to be settled in order for a recruit to be all-in.”

Things have been far from settled at Michigan for some time, evidenced by a Tuesday morning visit from Wolverines receivers coach Jeff Hecklinski at North Gwinnett High School. The assistant, a member of Hoke's staff since 2004 at Ball State, expressed concern about the regime's longevity during a conversation with Imatorbhebhe.

"It was definitely a little strange because Coach Hecklinski told me that a meeting was happening at Michigan today and he kind of hinted that the current staff probably wouldn't be around much longer," he said. "It's tough because I have a lot of respect for those guys."

Clark also received visits from Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno on Tuesday:

"

Coach nuss and coach ferrigno came by man I love those guys hope they stay blue

— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) December 2, 2014"

Whoever is hired to turn things around at Michigan will certainly face pressure to improve play on the field, but a major recruiting test comes first. He'll be charged with the task of piecing together a quality recruiting class with just weeks to work.

It's a group of incoming players that will be counted on to contribute toward the turnaround of a program grasping for positive momentum.

"They need to find recruits with confidence and courage who believe in what they're selling," Imatorbhebhe said. "College football is always unpredictable. Teams go through periods of bliss and periods of struggles. It's going to take the right pieces—new coaches and prospects—to revamp enthusiasm for the program."

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.

Quotes obtained by Bleacher Report national recruiting columnist Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.