Michigan AD Dave Brandon says Brady Hoke is not on the hot seat

At Michigan, the pressure to win is always high.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon knows this, and despite the Wolverines’ declining record over the past few years under Brady Hoke, Brandon maintains that the fourth-year UM head coach is not on the so-called “hot seat.”

Per Mlive.com, Brandon backed Hoke during a radio interview with Detroit Sports 105.1 FM Wednesday.

“That’s websites and that’s bloggers and that’s social media and that’s all part of the game that’s played out there – let’s stir up controversy,” Brandon said. “This happens every year. I can’t do very much about that, other than (say) that’s nonsense.”

The Wolverines went 11-2 and won the Sugar Bowl in Hoke’s first season in 2011, raising expectations. In 2012, the team’s record fell to 8-5, followed by a 7-6 2013 campaign that featured a lackluster 3-5 record in conference play. With that said, Brandon still believes in the direction of the program under Hoke.

“Brady and his staff are building something very important here,” Brandon said. “I believe strongly we’re moving in the right direction and I’m looking forward to a great season coming up. All this hot seat stuff, to me, is just nonsense. I don’t pay any attention to it.”

Brandon acknowledged that people are “frustrated” with the team’s performance last season, himself included, and is anxious to move forward with the 2014 slate.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” Brandon said. “I’m excited about what I think the prospects are for our football team. I think I speak for most of our fans that are passionate about Michigan – they’re behind our team, they’re supportive of our coaches and they know how (the coaches) are working hard.”

Hoke has brought in Doug Nussmeier from Alabama to run the offense after firing the more conservative Al Borges. In total, the team returns 15 starters including senior quarterback Devin Gardner, who had an up-and-down and injury-filled 2013 season.

The Wolverines open up at home against Appalachian State on August 30. We all know what happened the last time those two teams squared off.

For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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