College football coaches are an occasionally surly bunch, intent on restricting their players' movements at every turn lest they get a wandering thought and do one of the myriad of stupid things that college kids are known to do. Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke is apparently taking somewhat of a "cool uncle" approach, giving his players the freedom to police themselves in New Orleans prior to the 2012 Sugar Bowl.
Sugar Bowl 2012: Michigan Players Given Free Reign In New Orleans
“There’s obviously a lot of distractions in New Orleans on Bourbon Street and all those things,” Hoke said before practice Friday. “We’ve got 18- to 23-year-olds, and how they handle themselves as a team, starting with the leadership of our seniors, is always an important factor when you take 114 or however many we’re taking on the trip.
“And then it’s the focus, and not being distracted by all the pats on the back and the stuff that really is immaterial to how you play in the game.”
Hoke has gone 6-4 in bowl games for his career, including a win last season in the Poinsettia Bowl over Navy as the head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs. Obviously, the Virginia Tech Hokies present a slightly bigger challenge. The Wolverines are two points over the Hokies for the game to be played on Jan. 3.
For more on the Wolverines, be sure to head over to the SB Nation blog Maize ‘N Brew. Check out Gobbler Country for everything Hokies. Head over to the official site of the Allstate Sugar Bowl for more info on this year’s game.
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