As I wrote a couple weeks ago, Stephen Ross seemed to be David Brandon's most important supporter. Ross is Michigan's top donor with hundred of millions donated to the University and Athletic Department. Ross has gone on record as saying: "He's probably the most qualified athletic director in the country,” Ross told Crain’s Detroit Business. “I think he's terrific.” just a few weeks ago.
Now Ross has spoken to Michigan's President and The Wall Street Journal and will stand down:
On Monday, Ross said that he still thinks Brandon can do the job. But he also has promised school president Mark Schlissel that he won’t interfere or oppose a decision to fire Brandon.
“I don’t think alumni should control universities,” Ross said. “We have a great president and he is running the university and not me.”
Ross said Schlissel has “been talking to a lot of people” about Brandon and “has not come to a hasty conclusion.” If he has made a decision, Ross said, “he has not told anyone.”
Here is what I take from that discussion.
1) Schlissel doesn't have to convince Ross to keep Brandon.
2) Schlissel is making sure he does he due diligence before he lets Brandon go.
These are good things as long as he fires Brandon in the next 6 weeks or so.
- Garrett Taylor de-committed yesterday, that wasn't a surprise.
- Wojo is now fed up with Brady Hoke, welcome aboard!
- Alabama boosters pay off Saban's home. It really is hard to get financing now, as Nick pulls in about $7M a year.
4 comments:
I'm not sure how/why there is even a debate about whether or not Hoke goes.
3-5, worst start in program history, worst blow out in history against ND in the final game of the rivalry (no reason to get fired up and prepared for that game), losses to MN and Rutgers, not to mention his record in 'RED LETTER' games.
oy vey
I have said it before, removing Brandon in 6 weeks is NOT good enough! We have to put ourselves in a position to make a move on top-caliber coaching candidates in early December. If thats even a remote possibility at this point, Brandon needs to be replaced IMMEDITAEELY. Branbdon is clearly lame duck AD at this point. Waiting around is not getting us anywhere.
I have no inside information, but I think Ross makes these comments so that when Schlissel keeps DB people don't believe that The University of Michigan made the decision because of politics or the money.
Bottom line is money talks. I see DB staying and Hoke resigning. Love Hoke but they both need to go, a fresh start is needed.
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