Americans value keeping it real and winning.
But football coaches can get away with not keeping it real, but they do that by winning. (Think Bill Belichick or Jim Tressel.)
Coaches can also get by with some losing if they're keeping it real. (Think Bo Pelini and Steve Spurrier.)
But, it's coaches who don't keep it real and don't win that run into problems. And that's where this story finds its hero, Brady Hoke.
There's been three regressions in three years under Hoke. He undefeated hasn't won a game against a ranked team on the road. He's coming off an ass-whipping at the hands of the Irish.
And Brady Hoke isn't keeping it real.
After being dumped at the hands of the Irish, Brady Hoke called out the fans:
"If they're truly fans, they'll believe in these kids and what they've done and the hard work they've put in," Hoke said. "If they're not, they won't."
Today, Hoke attempted to backpedal from reality and tried to gaslight us:
Nope. He said it. RT @nickbaumgardner: Hoke asked about his true fans comment: Says his comment was misquoted No, it wasnt.
— Joshua Henschke (@JoshuaHenschke) September 11, 2014
And then he dropped this Jedi Mind Trick:
Brady Hoke on 97.1 this AM: 'I wouldn't change anything with how we prepared (last week).'
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 11, 2014
I understand it's probably tiresome answering questions from a pack of middle-aged men who arrange words for a living about an ass-kicking you endured on national television... but c'mon, Brady. You expect the good people of Michigan to buy this baloney?
Nah, Brady Hoke is refusing to keep it real. Couple that with a couple more losses, and Brady Hoke will be a MAC coordinator this time next season.