After one season away from the sidelines, Brady Hoke could be on the verge of getting back in the coaching game.
According to 247Sports.com, Hoke is one of two finalists for the head-coaching vacancy at East Carolina. The other is James Madison head coach Everett Withers.
Both Hoke and Withers, who have already interviewed once, are expected to interview again for the ECU job this weekend, with a decision likely being made early this coming week.
ESPN.com‘s Brett McMurphy reported Friday that Hoke “has emerged as one of the leading candidates at East Carolina.” Virginia Tech assistant Shane Beamer and North Carolina State offensive coordinator Matt Canada also interviewed for the position, McMurphy added.
It’s Hoke, though, that will garner the most curiosity from observers.
Despite a combined record of 47-50 in stints at Ball State (2003-08) and San Diego State (2009-10), Hoke was a hot candidate on the coaching carousel when the Michigan job came open after the 2010 season. With the Wolverines, Hoke’s record worsened every year, going from 11-2 his first season to eight-, seven- and five-win seasons the last three.
He was fired following the 2014 season and replaced by Jim Harbaugh. In his first season in Ann Arbor, Harbaugh has the Wolverines sitting at 9-3.
