Hackett Staying Long Term? Comment Count

Brian

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[Eric Upchurch]

Bruce Feldman is reporting that interim AD Jim Hackett is close to dropping the interim title:

That's along the lines of what we'd been hearing from Sam and others—that Hackett is going to be around for X number of months where X > amount of time it'll take to fire and hire a new coach.

The chances that the best available athletic director is a retired CEO who hasn't worked in an AD ever are about 1%, but This Is Michigan. They don't care what the sensible thing seems to be. That's fine as long as you are good at doing things. Michigan hasn't been, and given the way the chips have fallen if Hackett doesn't lock down Jim Harbaugh the fanbase is going to have a fit.

But he's not Dave Brandon.

Comments

StraightDave

November 26th, 2014 at 1:09 PM ^

Both of you absolutely nailed it.  This was an anti-corporate witch hunt and Brian got exactly what he deserved - another corporate fat cat running the AD.   I guess it's time to call in WD to dig up dirt on the new guy too.

 

 

I remember how in love everybody was when Brandon got hired because he was energetic and full of fresh ideas like UTL and outdoor hockey in UM stadium.   Everyone complained that Martin was too old and out of touch and UM needed a younger guy like DB to generate revenue for the AD because UM athletics was archaic and falling behind schools like OSU, Bama, etc.    Naturally, as soon as DB was fired Brian had one of his minions post an article that showed Martin was on par with DB when it came to generating revenue.  People see what they want to see and Brian convinced the masses that DB was an evil rich guy with an inflated ego.    All that 1 percenter and hope and change crap obviously spilled over to Mgoblog.

Did Florida run out their AD because their football team sucks?  

And this blog is so far left leaning that Nancy Pelosi probably reads it.   Who remembers the poster bashing the military a few weeks ago and getting over 30 up votes for it?

Swayze Howell Sheen

November 26th, 2014 at 11:22 PM ^

yeah, you're right. it was an anti-corporate witch hunt.

it had nothing to do with:

- alienating the fan base with stupid gimmicks and game-time "wow" experiences

- picking the wrong head football coach

- acting like a know-it-all a-hole despite

keep the political crap out of here, too, btw.

btw, are these the minions you are talking about? they are cute, not sure what you have against them.

MaximusBlue

November 26th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^

I care that he conducts a thorough head coaching search and brings in the best available candidate.

The bottom line is mostly everyone wants Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh would want total control of the football program so whoever the AD us would have to concede that and let that man build a winner. If that AD is Hackett or not matters very little to me.

Just bring Jimmy home. The rest will sort itself out.

saveferris

November 26th, 2014 at 12:31 PM ^

Harbaugh would want total control of the football program so whoever the AD us would have to concede that and let that man build a winner.

I would think any incoming head coach worth his salt would want total control of the program he was being hired to run. This shouldn't be regarded as an unreasonable attitude and I would hope that Hackett would recognize that even if Brandon didn't.

saveferris

November 26th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^

Bill Martin was a successful businessman who started off as AD with the interim tag as well.  Eventually the interim got dropped and aside from the Rodriguez thing, he didn't do a terrible job.

CEO as AD does not automatically equal doom.

TennBlue

November 26th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^

Either they already have a commitment from a top-notch coach so the AD search is not an immedicate priority, or there are massive problems within the administration that are going to cause pain for years to come.

 

Either could be true. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's the former.

sadeto

November 26th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^

I see additional possibilities: 

1) Hackett is on a brief power trip and wants to make sure he has a substantial impact on the future direction of the athletic department. I don't think this is the most likely scenario, but I wouldn't put it past him, at least to some extent: he is a long-time CEO who was elevated to that post at a relatively young age. Such a type often thinks they can rule the world. 

2) Initial discussions with the 'obvious' AD candidates with strong ties to UM led nowhere- why in the world would a man like Bates want to leave a very comfortable position at BC, for example, where expectations are very different, probably much more reasonable, to take on a potential no-win situation at UM? Out of love? No way. I think this is a very likely scenario - none of the strong, obvious candidates wants the job, so it will take time to find the not so obvious, take-a-chance candidate. 

3) Hackett has been led to conclude by initial contact with representative of the Harbaughs, or whoever, that it would be best to hire the big-name coach first, then fill the AD slot with someone who can adapt to that personality and situation. I hope to hell this isn't the case, but it can't be completely dismissed. This could lead to the tail wagging the dog, but maybe Schlissel doesn't care, he's got much, much bigger fish to fry (his appointment of a new medical center director this week was so much more important than either the football HC or AD positions, orders of magnitude more important). 

 

evenyoubrutus

November 26th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^

I am worn out from all the PANIC that's happened every time a Thing goes down here. Almost everything has turned out differently than we have expected. I have no idea what Hackett will do. He does not strike me as being down to earth but he could very well be a man who chooses his words wisely. To quote Sun Tzu, "pretend inferiority and encourage arrogance." Time will tell and that is all.

Chipper1221

November 26th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^

Michigan needs a home run hire

 

- Brandon tried being a hardo and hire a no name MAC coach with a Michigan tie and think people would praise him for that hire if Hoke would succeed.

 

- Now we're at a stage where Hackett understands the pressure and is going to swing for the fences and not follow Brandon's mistakes.

 

- This leverage of Hackett staying on for a couple years is helpful because I beleive a big-name football coach would take interest in selecting thier new boss.  

 

- Im taking this as a public note that Hackett is going to fire Hoke, select a new coach, make ammends with the public and then hand off to a more suitable long term AD.

Big_H

November 26th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^

I see nothing wrong here. For one, when this all started to come out it was said it might take up to 2 years to find the right guy.

I wish I could find the article. I remember I thought "2 YEARS..WTF?" and no one else seemed to catch that part or disregarded it. I thought that was weird. But now everyone is throwing a shit fit.

Like a lot of others are saying, JUST because he is a former CEO doesn't mean he is anything like Brandon. I mean where the hell does that logic come from? Damn, some Michigan fans are annoying. Just calm your shit and stop reacting so effin fast. I'm sure Hackett is pretty aware that he needs to tread lightly and do things for the students, alumni, and fans. If he has half a brain anyways, because the thought process shouldn't be too hard after he saw what happened to his boss. He has the oppurtunity to really make his mark in a good way. And it should be easy as he just witnessed everything not to do!

Also, there might be the pitch to Harbaugh that they want him to come in a be a player in deciding on his next boss. Which might help. Only time will tell.. Let's just sit back crack a cold one and let it unfold.

vanbluegens

November 26th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^

I, like many others, were thoroughly unimpressed with his interview. Additionally, Hackett has NO track record of success as an AD or hiring coaches, so skepticism remains firmly in place. If this move is intended to expedite hiring one of the top three guys, then great. However, none of the comments from any of the current regime even remotely suggests a sense of urgency in hiring a new AD or head coach. Another concerning fact is that hackett's comments prior to the Maryland game seem to be in support Hoke. If he can't see the issues most/all of us see with Hoke, that is another red flag. Three strikes and he is out in my book.

plisar

November 26th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^

Comments like that have been stated by almost every athletic director prior to canning a coach. If he's not ready to pull the trigger at this very moment, he's not going to tell the press:

Yeah, Brady was awful. Consider him fired.

Badkitty

November 26th, 2014 at 7:55 PM ^

Exactly. This fanbase still demonstrates the same arrogance that brought us down. Just because Michigan has an AD job opening doesn't mean people are going to line up and crawl here because "fergodsakes it's Michigan." How do you know we haven't contacted guys like Bates and they turned us down? How do you know that they aren't happy where they are and don't want the headache of rebuilding a football program? Maybe their families are settled where they are and don't want to move. From someone who has made multiple moves for career advancement, I can see how someone can finally find a job, be doing well, feel comfortable, and doesn't want to move anymore. For perspective, Jim Harbaugh, our putative savior, who everyone wants, spurned us once before. So it's not out of the question that AD candidates don't want to come here either.




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plisar

November 26th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^

I am willing to wait and see here. First of all, we don't have any confirmation that this is the case, so I'm not going to panic over rumors ... no matter how credible they are this point. 

Second, CEO's with experience at our unviersity are not evil beings that are unable to run an Athletic Department. His job is to make sure that the mission of the deparment is executed. He will work with smart people within the department to help make decisions that are positive for both the student athlete and the unviersity.

Just because he's a former private sector CEO does not mean that his only aim will be to increase margins and corporatize the Michigan experience. Steelcase is not Dominos, and I don't see anything in his background that makes me think he's a crazed brand marketer out to make Michigan football a cheeseball cookiecutter NFL game day experience.

Am I thrilled by this news? No. Do I think it's a disaster waiting to happen ... not at all.

yourmom_is_hot

November 26th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^

Brandon's problem was that he thought he was the smartest guy in the room and wanted to leave his "mark" on athletics.

As long as Hackett doesnt do that, he should be fine.  Attend fundraisers, keep the doners happy, keep the non revenue generating sports happy, and don't hire coaches with losing records.

PeterKlima

November 26th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^

Did you seriously write this?

"The chances that the best available athletic director is a retired CEO who hasn't worked in an AD ever are about 1%, but This Is Michigan."

One percent?  Did you think that through?  I know you are aware that hiring people with extensive business experience is the trend in athletic departments.

You know that is especially true for BIG athletic departments (USC, Notre Dame, etc.).

You have no shot at being an AD at Michigan without extensive financial experience (whether inside an athletic department or not).

This is much better than some guy whose strongest qualifications are that he was a coach.  

Running Michigan's athletic department IS running a business.  Not hiring someone with business experience might even be malpractice on the part of the university.

plisar

November 26th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^

100% agree here. This guy's job is to make sure the books stay balanced. He does that by putting a quality product on the field. To me, this is a safe hire ... not a bad one.

PeterKlima

November 26th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^

.... is not always the best person to make tough decisions that affect the bottom line.

 

But, in reality, aside from a megolomaniac like Brandon, most ADs, regardless of background are going to use a search committee and hire a winner if they can.

In reply to by PeterKlima

itauditbill

November 26th, 2014 at 2:47 PM ^

ND Swarbrick, experience, Member Indiana sports commission: 1992 to 2001, consultant and executive in collegiate and Olympic sports industries. 

USC Haden, Nfl player, NFL broadcaster, from 1980 to 2008, rhodes scholar, laywer, etc.

Alabama, Bill Battle, Experience; Head football coach Tennessee, founded the collegiate licensing company, returned to Alabama. 

MSU, Hollis, 25 years of athletic dept. experience, at Pitt and in WAC and MSU

Texas, Steve Patterson; Experience, team president and gm Portland Trailblazers, SVP, Houston Texans, president and gm, Houston Aeros, Gm Houston Rockets. 

My point is that these were literally the first 5 I looked up. They all have serious athletic experience and ties. 

PeterKlima

November 26th, 2014 at 7:07 PM ^

You think that Swarbrick'a resume says athletic experience? Or Hayden? Bama's AD had some experience long ago. Hackett also played college ball. Barely any of those guys are athletic department wonks. Just Hollis and he hasn't done anything good except hire Dantonio. His antics and cheap gimmicky games are the only things that rival Bradon's cheesiness. Significant business experience I a must.



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itauditbill

November 26th, 2014 at 10:55 PM ^

All have had significant work around athletics, meeting people, making contacts. I think if Hackett has had time to do anything it has only been around Michigan athletics. The bama guy has never left college athletics. Playing football as a backup 40 years ago is meaningless. 

 

M-Dog

November 26th, 2014 at 11:43 PM ^

The key point is "best available".

If you think that signifcant business experience is key to running an AD at Michigan, then where's the process to find the "best available" business guy?

What we have now is a guy who got the position by default, inertia, and nepotism.  If he's really the best guy by some chance, let him demonstrate it by coming out on top after a true exhaustive AD search process. 

AMazinBlue

November 26th, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^

and the gameday experience, that anything associated with it must be bad.  On the surface Hackett seems fine, but if the next coach is another MAC level .500 coach, then the torches and pitchforks will be in full view.  That wouldn't be the way to keep or get more season ticket holders

PA_Blue

November 26th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^

My biggest concern is the lack of any type of due diligence process when making these major hires.  Brandon was hired as a return favor from MSC.  Hoke was hired because DB wanted a puppet he could control.  RichRod was hired because Martin assumed coaches would be lining up at the door for the job and when they didn't, he panicked and had RR fall in his lap.  I find it hard to believe that this university does not have the resources to conduct a competent search for a new AD.

If Hackett can bring in Harbaugh or Miles then fine, but if neither one comes, I have no confidence in the administration's ability to conduct a proper coaching search.

 

BlueMyself

November 26th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^

I actually think this might be okay. We've been getting reports for weeks that Hackett's role as AD, interim or whatever, may extend to 18-24 months so that Michigan guarantees it gets everything right moving forward. I don't think that Hackett plans to be AD for like 5+ years, but if he needs to be here 2 years in order to create stability, make the needed firings and hirings, and repair the department's good faith with Michigan fans (all while selecting the next, more permanent AD) then so be it. It would certainly be a lot on a new AD to come in and immediately start gathering the needed info to fire and hire coaches, let alone repair broken relationships both internally and externally...

As such, I think that this signals two things: 1. That a coaching change is certainly happening (hallelujah) 2. Because a coaching change is needed, Michigan has correctly identified that getting the next coaching transition right is more immediately important than identifying the next long term (think 5+ years) AD. It seems to me that if they tried to couple the coaching search with the AD search that things could get sloppy, turn off potential coaching options, and in turn bungle yet another transition. It also could mean that they want the next head football coach (one of the university's most visible and financially important ambassadors) to have a chance to give input on the his future long term boss. I would definitely be okay with allowing the next head football coach have that ability (particularly if it's Jim Harbaugh - a guy who we all know likes to run things his way). 

Lastly, a plus on the coaching change front is that Hackett has personal connections to both Harbaugh and Miles. Perhaps his presence as a more permanent figure within the department can help get one of the two. Just my two cents. 

Dunder

November 26th, 2014 at 12:22 PM ^

is whether or not he has the right people around him. This is a man smart enough and capable enough to guide an organization through tough times by building relationships. Building relationships equals listening. If the voices he turns to are all among the slappies Brandon brought in... then you've got trouble. I'm going to work on the assumption that won't be the case and hold out hope.

 

For all the mistakes, alienation and nonsense, the fact remains that at this point Michigan needs and AD to do one thing, and just one thing well in a very short time frame: make a good hire for head football coach. He can do that.

Swayze Howell Sheen

November 26th, 2014 at 12:22 PM ^

about very little.

if this guy fires one Coach H. and brings in the man himself (also a Coach H., coincidentally), we won't care a dime about it. 

if he instead hires some second-tier coach, or doesn't fire Hoke, well...

 

M-Dog

November 26th, 2014 at 11:53 PM ^

Huh?  Lot's of people bitched that he was just a Princeton "system" guy who could not recruit and the only reason he was chosen was that he was a safe hire that whould not bring shame to the program.  Maybe he could make a Sweet Sixteen now and then, but that was not the top priority.

 

growler4

November 26th, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^

Is it SO unreasonable to give Mr. Hackett a fair chance at proceeding in the position before assuming he's unsuitable and not a good fit/choice?

As for hiring Harbaugh, there is no guarantee that he'll be coming to Ann Arbor for multiple reasons. Hiring him should not be the criteria for evaluating Hackett or anyone else as an AD.

Brandon_L

November 26th, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^

I think that Hackett does not plan on firing Hoke right away. I believe he will keep him on until Harbaugh's season is over. I bet more than anything Harbaugh is in play, but does not want the press asking him 21 questions about Michigan until the season ends. Hoke won't be fires until after December 28th and they are willing to sacrifice the recruiting class in an effort to get this right.