How do you think the players ment it?? Crazy like a fox? Crazy psycho?
I have asked various secondary players what they think of Jon Hoke. I do that with a lot of players, ask them about their position coaches and what they think of him. I haven't spoken to guys about all aspects of the assistant coaches however--some assistant coaches are no longer with the team.
Hoke is an interesting character because back on the old board, there were a contigent of fans that loved Hoke because he yelled at his players. And I wondered why.
I didn't think much of him based on what I saw on the field and what his background was. But I've tried to have an open mind, and a lot of times you can learn more about a coach by listening to what the players say about him.
Usually, if a player likes their coach a lot, you can't get them to shut up about how awesome he is. They will go on and on about how awesome they are, and how they help etc. Kubiak, the TE coach, the QB coach, the ST coach, the linebacker coach (and probably a few others who I am not thinking about right now) are coaches that the players rave about.
When you ask about Hoke, they don't say much. Sometimes they will volunteer that he is crazy, that he likes to intimidate players and see how they react. That he gets really nervous on game day. You don't get much of that love of coach that some of the other coaches get.
Of course, a coach doesn't have be beloved to get results, but usually when a player talks about how helpful their coach is, that coach is doing some things well in a way that shows on the field.
I have also seen Hoke give a talk at a clinic and have to admit to being non-whelmed. He certainly has enthusiasm for his job however.