Amidst the chaos of Signing Day, some huge coaching news has opened more than a few sleepy eyes Wednesday morning. CoachingSearch.com is reporting that former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke will join Brian Kelly’s coaching staff.
(Crazy, right?)
Hoke spent the past four seasons as Michigan’s head coach. Before that he ran the program at San Diego State and Ball State. He’s a defensive coach by trade -- specializing in defensive line play. That job is currently Mike Elston‘s, a former player under Hoke at Michigan when he was an assistant.
There is a vacancy on Notre Dame’s staff with Kerry Cooks’ still unannounced departure to Oklahoma. So if Hoke is filling that job, that likely means an internal shuffle is taking place on the coaching staff. That could mean Bob Elliott running the secondary. Or some (me included) have speculated that Scott Booker could move back to the defensive side of the football, where he started his career coaching the secondary at two different MAC programs.
Of course, Hoke’s addition could hint at future moves still taking place. There’s an open head coaching vacancy at Central Michigan. Elston’s name has surfaced in connection to that job, though has also been refuted by various media reports.
Kelly is set to meet with the assembled media today at 3:15 p.m. In addition to discussing a growing recruiting class, he’ll likely now answer more questions about his coaching staff as well.
Michigan is still paying Hoke a considerable amount of money -- a reported $3 million buyout -- after firing him after the 2014 season.
VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE: Sam Webb of Michigan’s Scout affiliate throws some cold water on the initial report, after a text exchange with Brady Hoke.
More from Hoke in another text - "NOT GOING TO ND"
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) February 4, 2015