College Football: New Michigan coach wants to hang on to Robinson

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Associated Press
ANN ARBOR, Mich. ó Denard Robinsonís high school coach heard from so many coaches trying to recruit the dual-threat quarterback by Wednesday afternoon that he was on his third cell-phone battery.
ěEvery school wants Denard ó trust me,î Art Taylor, who coached Robinson at Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High School, said in a telephone interview. ěIíve heard from at least 10 to 15 schools already.
ěDenard loves Michigan, but he has to do whatís best for him because this is a big decision.î
Robinson chose to play for college footballís winningest program because it was led by spread guru Rich Rodriguez.
The first player in NCAA history to throw and run for 1,500 yards hasnít commented since Rodriguez was fired last week and replaced by Brady Hoke.
ěI talked to Denard this morning and told him, ëYou have to ask the new coach questions about the offense and what your role will be,íî Taylor recalled Wednesday afternoon shortly after Hoke met with the team and media. ěIíve told him what a great education heíll get if he stays at Michigan, but if they want to turn him into a drop-back quarterback and waste his 4.3 speed (in the 40-yard dash) that might not be the best place for him.î
Hoke hopes to persuade Robinson to return for his junior season.
ěWe have got a special guy in Denard,î Hoke said. ěHe is a guy that can do an awful lot for your football program and I know he loves the University of Michigan. I got to spend about 15 minutes with him and we are going to spend a little more time together.
ěWhen you have talented players, itís your job as a coach to mold that into whatís best for your football team. Most the time when you do that, itís what is best for that player.î
Michigan has lost one QB, Tate Forcier, according to athletic director Dave Brandon.
Forcier was academically ineligible to play for the Wolverines in the Gator Bowl
ěTate is not with the program,î Brandon said when asked about Forcierís status.