Emotional Brady Hoke Chokes Back Tears

He talked about his love for Michigan, character, accountability and respect

The Brady Hoke era is over and done at San Diego State and just beginning for Michigan University.

An emotional, but visibly excited Hoke talked about his passion for Michigan football at a press conference in San Diego on Wednesday and his vision for the future of Michigan football.

“We had quite the night. Flying cross-country and I can promise you we would have walked to the University of Michigan,” said Hoke. “We’ve had a love for Michigan for a number of years.”

Hoke choked back tears as he thanked his supporters.

“One other thank you I should give to the thousands of players that we’ve been able to touch [pause] as a family. Go Blue,” Hoke said.

The coach promised to hold Michigan’s traditions and legacies in high regard.

“We understand what Michigan football means and what Michigan football is. We will always be about the team at Michigan. This is never going to be about Brady Hoke. This is about a football program. This is about a team,” he said.

A team built on character.

“The character of the guys on the staff, the character of the kids in the program and everybody who touches those kids on a daily basis. Because character wins in life and character wins on the football field,” Hoke said.

He promised to lead a team that will compete with a high degree of effort every time they take the field.

“When we run out on the practice field, we’re going to compete and we’re going to compete every day. Because you get better when you compete,” Hoke said.

He also talked about accountability and respect.

“We’re going to respect every guy in this program. We’re going to respect every person on this campus. We’re going to respect everybody in the community and we’re going to respect the tradition of the university of Michigan and its football program,” Hoke said.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon is already learning that Hoke is a pretty popular coach.

"He is clearly a players' coach," Brandon said. "Unlike some other coaches, it's not about him, it's about his team."

Brandon picked Hoke as his new football coach Tuesday, insisting he was Plan A and not a backup option after Jim Harbaugh left Stanford for the San Francisco 49ers and Les Miles stayed at LSU.

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