Hoke: 'I don't make decisions on who plays'
Embattled Michigan coach Brady Hoke deflected questions on Monday about quarterback Shane Morris's possible concussion, maintaining that he suffered an ankle injury.
Amid calls for his dismissal, the coach faced reporters at a press conference. "I don't make decisions on who plays, who doesn't play, as far as injuries, in particular head trauma," he said.
Hoke came under fire over the weekend for his handling of the sophomore Morris after a play in which the quarterback appeared wobbly following a big hit.
Morris re-entered the game for one play before being carted off.
Hoke said after the game he didn't know whether or not the youngster sustained a concussion.
On Monday reporters pressed for answers on why Morris didn't leave the game following the hit. The coach said he leaves those decisions to his medical staff.
"We would never, ever put a guy on the field when there is a possibility of head trauma," Hoke said. "We won't do that."
When asked about video showing Morris wobbly on the field, Hoke said it was Morris's ankle that was injured, and not a head trauma concern.
Hoke says by everything he knows, has been told, Morris has not been diagnosed with a concussion.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 29, 2014
Doug Nussmeier, the team's offensive coordinator, said he saw Morris limping after the play and briefly asked how the pivot was doing. Morris waived him off, saying he was OK.
Hoke was previously reprimanded for one player safety issue while at Ball State in 2004, prior to his time at Michigan.
However, he said the program doesn't have plans to change the way it reviews injuries on the sideline.