Former Michigan football player under Bo and current CEO of Domino's Pizza Dave Brandon will be the new Athletic Director at the University of Michigan. Angelique S. Chengelis from The Detroit News broke the news: "I have a deep appreciation for the university," Brandon told The News in a telephone interview. "I will rely on my experience as a business leader, I will rely on my experiences as a student-athlete, I will rely on my experience as a regent. "More than anything else, I'm passionate about it, and anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit of a workaholic. I would never be disrespectful to any of the other candidates, but I bring a unique set of qualifications that will help me in this role."
Brandon has been close to the University for many years as a Regent, Working on special projects with University President Sue Coleman and a fund raiser. He knows the people he is going to work for and the situation at U of M very clearly. This isn't an big dollar alumni coming in and taking a job, this is a guy that loves U of M and has the business acumen to succeed in the job. There was rumblings that Brandon was also thinking about taking a run for Governor of the Great Lakes State but that will have to wait. He has signed a 5 year contract and will officially take over the athletic department in March.
So the big question that most people are asking is: How much rope does Rich Rod have before he gets fired? As a Michigan fan, you must hear it all the time as well right? Well, Mgoblog reports from an insider that: Brandon was a key supporter of Rodriguez's candidacy. He and RR have dinner regularly. 3-9 engenders some frustration, but one of the items cited was Rodriguez getting "too friendly with the media".
BTW: My answer to the above question is: at least through the end of his contract. Michigan is paying him a ton of money, they paid WVU a ton of money to get him out of his contract, they don't want to pay him a ton of money for him to coach somewhere else. RR is safe through his contract. Two things to remember, Michigan didn't have a ton of choices when Lloyd Carr retired and they gave Tommy Amaker all the time in the world to succeed.
As for the choice for AD. Dave Brandon is a good choice. He knows Michigan very well and has a solid business background. It's obvious he didn't take the AD job for money since you know he makes much more in his current role. So he took the job for his love of U of M and must already have enough dough. :)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Michigan Welcomes the "Pizza Man" as it's new Athletic Director
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4 comments:
David is an excellent choice for AD.
Well he better keep his mouth shut on his political views, or he will turn away a good chunk of the alumni. His Domino's ads where he took shots at Obama were distasteful and ridiculous. If he does to M what he did to Domino's though, we will have a bland athletic program delivered in 30 minutes or less.
Two things to remember, Michigan didn't have a ton of choices when Lloyd Carr retired and they gave Tommy Amaker all the time in the world to succeed.
Rich Rodriguez was nationally considered to be a top ten coach regardless of who else was available. This was not a fall back pick although he did fall into our laps.
J. Lichty,
I 100% agree that is why they should give him at least his contract to turn around the program. Letting him go after 3 years, would be very costly and set back the program even further.
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