ANN ARBOR -- For the first time this spring, new Michigan football coach Brady Hoke gave outsiders a peek behind the curtain into his program Tuesday afternoon.
Stepping into the indoor practice facility at Schembechler Hall were media members, coaches from nearby high schools and colleges, and national champion coach Urban Meyer.
The media was permitted to view the first 20 minutes of practice, when the Wolverines stretched and participated in basic drills.
Perhaps the biggest story coming from the session centered on the running backs, where a surprise face worked with the first team offense: Michael Cox, a redshirt junior, who played in just two games last year and has carried the ball 19 times in his career, was atop the hierarchy in the backfield.
Vincent Smith, a part-time starter at running back last year, worked with the second-team offense, and Michael Shaw, who started five games last year, is being held out of some activities after breaking his hand recently.
At 211 pounds, Cox is bigger than Smith, Shaw, and sophomore Fitzgerald Toussaint, which is an asset in offensive coordinator Al Borges' power rushing attack.
It is unknown whether Cox working with the first team has been a usual arrangement this spring.
Hoke did not speak with the media Tuesday, but he had this to say about the running backs last week.
"Vince has done a good job. [Stephen] Hopkins has come on. Fitz had a good day in there, a couple good runs, and Michael Cox is a guy that has some outstanding ability. We just have to keep progressing with him."
Hoke has said he will be involved with UM's special teams, and he backed up that statement Tuesday by offering tips to sophomore punter Will Hagerup.
Hagerup, whose 43.6-yards per punt average from a year ago ranks second all-time at the school, boomed punts high and deep, with a group headed by Junior Hemingway, Martavious Odoms, and Jeremy Gallon taking turns catching the balls at the other end of the facility.
Meyer, the two-time national champion coach while at Florida, is now working for ESPN and stopped by to film a segment. He was at Notre Dame last weekend.
Also present Tuesday were coaches from high schools such as Bryan and Defiance, and nearby colleges, such as Siena Heights and Wayne State.
UM defensive coordinator Greg Mattison will speak with the media Wednesday.
Contact Ryan Autullo at: rautullo@theblade.com or 419-724-6160.
First Published March 30, 2011, 7:06 a.m.
