The case for Brady Hoke as Maryland's next head football coach

Over the coming weeks and months, the Maryland football program will search for a new head coach to replace the departed Randy Edsall. We know who the candidates are, but who should Maryland pick? We'll state every coach's case, whether he wants the job or not, in 500 words or fewer.

Brady Hoke, former Michigan head coach, current college football analyst at SiriusXM College Sports

Possibility scale: 1/10

The resume

Hoke was a defensive line coach at Michigan from 1995-2002. In that span, the Wolverines won three Big Ten titles and the 1997 national championship. In 2003, he left to take the head coaching job at Ball State. In 2008, Hoke led the Cardinals to their most successful season ever. Ball State went 12-0 before falling in the MAC Championship game. Hoke was named MAC Coach of the Year and left to take the San Diego State job after the season.

In 2010, Hoke led the Aztecs to a 9-4 record. San Diego State hadn't been to a bowl in 12 years and hadn't won eight or more games since 1996. He was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year. Michigan fired Rich Rodriguez that year and Hoke replaced him.

Hoke led the Wolverines to the Sugar Bowl in his first season at the helm and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. However, he went 8-5, 7-6 and 5-7 in the three years that followed. He was fired and replaced by Jim Harbaugh.

The benefits

Hoke has been named Coach of the Year in three different conferences, including the Big Ten. This isn't smoke and mirrors. The guy can coach.

Hoke can really coach defense. When he arrived at Michigan in 2011, he inherited a defense that was 108th in the FBS in scoring defense and 110th in yards allowed the year before. In just one season, Michigan's scoring defense went from 108th to sixth-best in the country.

Michigan's defense was ranked in the top-20 in both scoring and total defense in his first two seasons.

If Hoke has to give credit to Rich Rodriguez for winning with his kids, Harbaugh has to also give credit to Hoke for winning with his.

The drawbacks

There are quite a few but this is probably the biggest. Shane Morris took a shot to the head during their game against Minnesota in 2014. Morris was clearly dazed. Hoke didn't check on him and allowed him to stay in the game. Hoke's responses after the game and the following week made him look incompetent at best. His complete mishandling of the situation put a young man, that he was responsible for, at serious risk.

Hoke is also a defensive-minded coach. The administration is looking for an offensive-minded coach that will excite donors and the fan base. Hoke doesn't fit.

In one sentence

If Hoke has learned from his past experiences, Maryland should consider hiring him because he's got a proven track record of winning and a keen knowledge of the Big Ten.