Smartest College Football Coach Firings of the Past 10 Years

4 of 11

Nov 8, 2014; Evanston, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke in the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Brady Hoke – Michigan Wolverines, 2014

Record With School: 31-20
Replaced by: Jim Harbaugh

Brady Hoke may have been a “Michigan Man” but, with the exception of one season, he certainly wasn’t much of a Michigan football coach.

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Hoke came in to pick up the mess left behind by Rich Rodriguez, and at first glance it seemed like Big Blue had found themselves the right guy. In his first season as head of the Wolverines, Hoke coached the team to an 11-2 record, a Sugar Bowl win and a No. 12 national ranking.

Michigan was back, and Hoke was the toast of the town.

For one season.

Declining results and complaints by players over the next few seasons had Michigan fans reeling, and when the 2014 season was winding down, everyone knew it was time to for Hoke to go. His final season ended in a losing 5-7 record, and with the Wolverines missing a bowl game for the first time since the 2010 season.

While Harbaugh has yet to coach his first game in Ann Arbor, there is an obvious feeling of optimism around the Michigan faithful.

Next: Lane Kiffin

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