As we know, David Brandon is the current AD at Michigan and former CEO of Valassis Communications and Dominos Pizza. He left a job making millions to lead the Michigan Athletic Department out of the Rich Rodriguez hat trick.
People say there is a lot more to life then money and coming back to lead his Alma Mater's athletic department and "home" of his former head coach Bo Schembechler was probably the driving force. He isn't starving and currently has a salary of 850K a year as AD. So today, I thought I would rate a few of his high profile decisions as AD. (I know there are other important AD decisions in all Michigan sports but I'm just going to focus on the major football and a couple of basketball decisions)
Good Decisions
- David walked into the job just as the NCAA was punishing Michigan for the stretching too much in Freep-gate. He handled that situation perfectly and questioned the NCAA and got the "charges" reduced. This was his first challenge and he passed with flying colors.
- Firing RR: Had to be done and it was the right decision.
- UTL 1 & 2: Michigan's two night games were big successes on the field and off with great recruiting results. Both of these games were home runs with big TV ratings.
- Fixing Crisler and The New Development Center: Way over due and much needed improvements. A+
Poor Decisions
- Waiting until after the bowl game to fire RR. It was already the worst kept secret in Ann Arbor and waiting cost him a legit shot at Jim Harbaugh. How things could have been different if Jim was leading this program.
- Taking two days to fire RR. That was ridiculous and it was in the media before it even happened. Terrible PR and poor management. What do you need to sleep on?
- Head coach job search: reportedly had offers out to both Harbaugh brothers and settled on Brady Hoke. Which at the time, I thought was a very unique hire. It was like he went shopping with a budget for a Mercedes, Lexus, or Lincoln and bought a dependable Ford Escot without a ton of features. (for the most part Brady has worked out better then I had imagined he would). He also had a strange dinner with Les Miles where he did or didn't offer him the job.
- Cowboy Kickoffs 1 & 2: Why play these games? Michigan was way over matched in the first one against Alabama and now he has booked another one in 2017 against Florida. Each one of these games reduces the value of season ticket holders and Michigan must make more money from a home game then playing in Jerry World. Michigan has the Big House and Florida has the Swamp, how about a home-home contract? I actually see very limited upside to any of these game (unless you live in Texas). Maybe it helps recruiting in Texas a little bit.
TBD Decisions
- Rescheduling App. State - This seems like a no win situation for the Wolverines. If Michigan struggles, it's here we go again. If they blow them out its just retribution for App. State's win in the Big House.
- Big Al decision - He and Brady Hoke have a decision upcoming on what to do with the OC role moving forward. Big AL makes a huge assistant salary at $700K, there are lots of issues with the offense and Michigan just lost it's highest rated 2015 offensive recruit.
- Brady Hoke hire - Year 1 in the Sugar Bowl it looked like a genius hire. Sitting here at the end of year 3, there are plenty of good things and bad things going on with the program.
Things Probably Out of His Hands
- Copper Bowl - Terrible date and time zone for EST.
- Big Ten 2014 Schedule - Should never allow back to back home games for State in East Lansing. Throw a Ford Field game in there if the schedule didn't work. Would OSU come to A2 two years in a row? Never!
David has done some good things for the university since he took over the role and he has had his fair share of questionable decisions. He might want to start focusing more on what's best for the Michigan Football program moving forward then the national brand. Michigan doesn't have a marketing problem, it has a winning problem.
Sailboat's Bill legacy as AD was summed up by being surprised Lloyd Carr was retiring when he tried to do it the year before, a fumbled job search and the failure that was RR's hat trick at Michigan.
David Brandon's legacy might be tied to Brady Hoke just like Sailboat Bill's was tied to RR.
3 comments:
We've gone over this before about the Cowboy stadium games. I think it's a great opportunity to showcase our program. If it's not ready by 2017, it's our fault. The financial payout is very similar to half a home and home. Season ticket holders may get one less game, but there are alumni all over the US that can only get to a game by flying. I live in NC and we are all excited for the away game at Maryland which is ONLY a 7-8 hour drive. The last time Michigan played in the Southeast (not Florida) was in the mid 70's. The fact of the matter is Michigan is a national brand and showcasing ourselves is important for national recruiting. I learned a longtime ago to trust people that know more than I do on certain topics. Brandon's resume is filled with successes. Unlike his predecessor he is always at the helm.
DB's deal with Jerry means to me that he will take not being embarrassed again in 2017 very seriously, and is probably more in touch with the program than I had thought....Meaning that the necessary changes will be made to ensure that M is more than competitive by that time. There will be changes after the Copper Bowl game, and if they don't work, Hoke will be gone after the 2015 season too. He has shown the ability to gain approval to pay the necessary salaries to get the best, and will spend more wisely than the $2000 / lb deal he currently has......Given what had been done in M's other programs with hires I would think that next time he won't take the last girl standing at 2:30 in the morning home, no matter how big she is........Hope I'm right!!!
I hear Parker Westphal committed to Northwestern.
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