Q&A: John U. Bacon On His New Book, Endzone
Pre-order at Amazon or Barnes & Noble (or both!)
Mark the date: September 1, 2015. Two days before the Harbaugh era officially kicks off, John U. Bacon's latest book—Endzone: The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football—hits the shelves, and it's available for pre-order today on Amazon. In anticipation of the release, Brian asked Bacon a few questions about the book, and his answers should pique the interest of those reading this fine site.
BRIAN: So you have a new book coming out. What is it about? Is it about anything that may be of interest to the readership of say, this blog?
JOHN U. BACON: Funny you should ask. We think it might well be of interest to Michigan fans in general, and MGoBlog readers in particular, because they seem to care a lot about Michigan football, and this book happens to be about Michigan football. In fact, MGoBlog’s vaunted leader – you – will make more than a few appearances therein, plus Ace, and even a few of your readers.
More specifically, this is why I think the readership of MGoBlog might be interested in Endzone, from the first draft of the jacket copy:
Endzone: The Rise, Fall and Return of Michigan Football tells the story of how college football’s most successful, richest and respected program almost lost all three in less than a decade – and entirely of its own doing. It is a story of hubris, greed, and betrayal – a tale more suited to Wall Street than the world’s top public university.
Endzone takes you inside the offices, the board rooms and the locker rooms to see what happened, and why – with countless eye-opening, head-shaking scenes of conflict and conquest.
But Endzone is also an inspiring story of redemption and revival. When those who love Michigan football the most recognized it was being attacked from within, they rallied to reclaim the values that have made it great for over a century -- values that go deeper than dollars. The list of heroes includes players, students, lettermen, fans and faculty – and the leaders who had the courage to listen to them.
Their unprecedented uprising produced a new athletic director, and a new coach – the hottest in the land – who vindicated the fans’ faith when he turned down more money and fame to return to the place he loved most: Michigan.
If you love a good story, you’ll want to dive into Endzone: The Rise, Fall and Return of Michigan Football.
So, there it is. And that’s why I think your readers might be interested.
So is this a follow-up to your previous books? In what way?
Short answer: Yes, it picks up where Fourth and Long left off.
Long answer: it gives the reader a deeper understanding of how Michigan football got to where it is today – the bad and the good. Also, Endzone focuses more on the leadership of the athletic department and the university itself than on the team, though we have plenty of interesting stuff from former players, too.
Because this book focuses entirely on Michigan – unlike Fourth and Long – I have the space to write a better biography of Dave Brandon, to shed more light on how the University administration works with athletics, and to include the eye-witness accounts of the decision-making the past four years, including the hiring of Harbaugh – which is an amazing story in itself.
You were of course embedded in the locker room for the first book. For the second you were exiled to St. Helena, with nobody in the AD willing to give you any quotes. How difficult has it been to get inside the department this time around?
I love this blog – and UM fans generally – because when you reference St. Helena, you don’t have to explain it, and your readers don’t have to look it up. That, to me, is the Michigan Difference – or at least one of them.
Although I obviously wasn’t inside the department during the past four years, it hasn’t been hard getting inside the story, because so many people at all levels of the equation have been willing to speak, many even eager. I’ve sent out fewer emails for interviews than I’ve received.
My strong sense, from these many conversations, is that they’re not calling to grind their axe but to explain where Michigan went wrong, and what Michigan could easily avoid in the future. I’ve already transcribed over 90,000 words of interviews – the entire “Bo’s Lasting Lessons” was shorter, by comparison – and not one of them wants Michigan to fail. To a person, they love Michigan, they were heartbroken watching the ship start to sink – and they’re relieved to see it back on the rise.
One simple lesson I’ve already learned: You should not confuse the general with the soldiers. They didn’t always agree, but the soldiers often felt they couldn’t speak up. Now they can.
Have any stories you might be comfortable relating right now to whet appetites?
Well, my publisher would kill me if I did that. But what the heck!
By now most fans know the public narrative – and if they didn’t, your rundown last week hit the main events very efficiently – but it’s the stories behind the stories that Endzone will provide, from Brandon’s experience at Domino’s to how he got hired as Michigan’s AD, to his relationship with President Coleman, to how he fired Rodriguez and hired Hoke, to why he didn’t get Harbaugh or Miles, and how he and his staff faced the growing displeasure with his tenure last fall. (Perhaps you’ve read something about this?)
More specifically, we’ll explore how the Notre Dame rivalry crumbled (not suddenly, as we’ve been told); we’ll explain how the students got the administration’s attention to affect real change; we’ll get to the bottom of the Shane Morris situation; and we’ll spell out how many people worked to get Harbaugh back – from old friends to Regents to Hackett himself, not to mention Jim’s wife Sarah – and how they did it.
Why didn't you take the best advice I've ever given anyone and name this book "Brandon's Lasting Lessons"?
While I greatly appreciate the best advice you’ve ever given anyone – and feel fortunate to be the sole beneficiary thereof -- if I’d named this book “Brandon’s Lasting Lessons,” it would probably come off as disrespectful to Bo, and maybe just a little sarcastic toward Brandon, too. One reader suggested I title it, “I told you so,” which I thought sort of comes off as an “I told you so.”
Plus -- I hate to tell you -- I will do my best to be as fair to Brandon as I can. I’ve already talked at length to a Regent, a player and others who love him. It’s clear that Brandon was very good on academics, for example, and very popular with many student-athletes.
That said, I get your point. If you held Bo’s Lasting Lessons in one hand and Endzone in the other, you might think the previous athletic director was consciously trying to do the opposite of Bo’s advice at every turn – and Endzone will address that, too. In fact, your suggested title is the answer to your readers who wonder why we need to know more about this saga: there are lessons to be learned here, lessons that go deeper than just the list of crises, and if Michigan doesn’t learn them, more mistakes will follow.
Another reason not to title it that: while Brandon is obviously a central figure in this book, the Harbaugh story will comprise the third and final act of Endzone. For once, I’ve got a happy ending to write.
You do realize that I'm going to call it that anyway?
Yes, you’ve made the very clear.
No matter what you do?
Yes, it is understood.
You can't stop this train, Bacon?
I don’t think that’s a question, is it?
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^
One could also argue that Brady Hoke was David Brandon's sock puppet.
I love how it is all working out and am really looking forward to this book.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^
It may not be too late to change the word "Return" to something else (or create a whole new subtitle).......
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:50 PM ^
February 23rd, 2015 at 5:04 PM ^
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:31 PM ^
It makes sense. I just think there is such an automatic visceral reaction to the specific word "Return" among Michigan fans because it is so heavily associated with Notre Dame and its never ending self-delusion.
This was like, three failed coaches ago:
We don't want to go down that road (any further than we already have).
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:32 PM ^
How is the recovery (If I can call it that) going? Sorry If I missed update.
I appreciated you sharing your experiences over the past few years.
Last info seemed to be very positive?
I know I could email you, but I am sure others here are curious too.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:36 PM ^
I'm waiting to post an update until I finish up a couple more tests, but my body's responding very well to the new medication. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, should be feeling normal by the summer, which would be quite welcome.
February 23rd, 2015 at 3:23 PM ^
I am sure it is a little awkward talking about this. So thanks for sharing.
Good luck and update when you feel it is appropriate.
This is an anonymous blog for people like me, but for you, Brian, Seth and others it feels like we know you personally. So you have a responsibility to keep us informed of everything ( Just kidding)
February 23rd, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
When he says the book will feature mgoblog readers, he means Wolverine Devotee, right? I want a whole chapter devoted to how WD brought down DB.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:30 PM ^
I want a whole chapter devoted to how Brian did WD's work for him.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^
sorry.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:03 PM ^
I suspect I'll be able to read everything but the last two season game recaps. (In 3 & Out, I read up until the night before the 2008 Utah game but didn't have the stomach to go any further.) I can handle reading about Dave Brandon and his big bag of bullshit but the '13 and '14 teams agonizing displays on the football field is going to be too hard.
Minor observation: Why no scoreboard on the book cover? Was it photoshopped out to include the book description or was the pic taken in summer of 2011 while the scoreboards were being replaced?
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:18 PM ^
It's just for pretty.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:41 PM ^
I read Three and Out after the 2011 season. Got it as a Christmas present. It was easy to read after that season. Hopefully the 2015 season will make reading Endzone easy.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^
February 23rd, 2015 at 5:23 PM ^
Psychosomatization, perhaps? It happened to me, at least; I admit to getting nauseous during parts of "Three and Out," so... maybe some people are more emotional than others?
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:10 PM ^
"In fact, MGoBlog’s vaunted leader – you – will make more than a few appearances therein, plus Ace, and even a few of your readers."
That's gotta be WD. kid's gonna soil himself when he finds out
February 23rd, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^
But in all seriousness, being quoted in Bacon's book would be very cool. And I'd say WD is deserving of the recognition.
February 23rd, 2015 at 4:44 PM ^
He certainly took the abuse for going out on a limb, he might as well take the recognition.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:12 PM ^
would be the most accurate title since that seems to be what this is all about.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:13 PM ^
I really hope and expect that Bacon is fair-minded toward Brandon and presents viewpoints of those that liked him and some of the good he did for the program. (I think night games are a big plus.) Because I think it'll make the criticisms carry more weight. And a balanced presentation is more than enough to make people hate his guts, if they don't already.
I get the impression, for example, that he decided to be his smug high-and-mighty self in dealing with Jack Swarbrick, who then didn't chicken out so much as got tired of DB's shit. And then of course we know how DB presented it: oh my gosh you guys I'm so surprised. Can't wait to see what Bacon has to say.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:58 PM ^
I hate to say it, but I no longer believe Michigan's (Brandon's) description of events that cancelled the series. Swarbrick is no peach, but Brandon is hardly an innocent victim.
It's not very hard to believe that Brandon overplayed his hand, and was a dick while doing it.
February 23rd, 2015 at 5:57 PM ^
It's not very hard to believe that Brandon overplayed his hand, and was a dick while doing it.
Well gee that's hardly fair, it doesn't sound like something Brandon would ever have done....I dare you to find one two five ten twenty fifty examples of that ever happening.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^
why do you hate Michigan? s/
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^
I can't wait to read this...as if we needed another thing to make the wait for next football season any more intense!
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:16 PM ^
I thought St. Helena was the new Bolivia...
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:16 PM ^
although I'd call this more the "end of the beginning" of the return of Michigan football. Harbaugh will make "the return" happen. Guess I need to order up a copy.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:18 PM ^
Brian's hilarious.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:19 PM ^
I don't care that this was a great big ad. I love me some John U. Bacon, and I can't wait to read this book.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:24 PM ^
Or "The Story of Everest"
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:30 PM ^
I will surely read it cover to cover but the temptation will be to start toward the end. The first part of the book focusing on Brandon will be depressing to say the least.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^
I must be the only one here who really can't stand Bacon. Seems to me like he's always looking to profit off of Michigan's mistakes, and putting a spotlight on them in the process.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
Well then we need to stop giving him mistakes to profit from.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
Agan, Bacon is after truth.
If we were doing well, winning games, and not having AD drama, Bacon's books would reflect that (Blue Ice, Bo's Lasting Lessons etc.). He is a huge fan of Michigan and I am sure he would prefer to be writing happy stories about winning, but he isn't in the fiction business. With the exception of 2011, football has not had a lot of happy moments in quite a while.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:34 PM ^
I haven't read Bo's Lasting Lessons, but I wouldn't have guessed it was all about Michigan's mistakes. Go figure.
February 23rd, 2015 at 5:01 PM ^
I'll take "Narrative Negating Rebuttals" for $800 Alex.....
February 23rd, 2015 at 6:05 PM ^
Don't forget Blue Ice and A Legacy of Champions.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:48 PM ^
I'm not sure why, but maybe it's the money he's making while the program suffers.
February 23rd, 2015 at 3:46 PM ^
So weird that someone who invests a huge amount of time and energy in writing a book would hope to make some money off of his work. Writers are such dicks!
February 23rd, 2015 at 3:02 PM ^
That's just the timing of things. Bo's Lasting Lessons was obviously not profiting off of mistakes; quite the opposite.
February 23rd, 2015 at 4:11 PM ^
February 23rd, 2015 at 4:53 PM ^
February 23rd, 2015 at 5:29 PM ^
I like him personally, but am getting tired of his work.
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^
I cannot wait to read this book. And yes John U does visit this site quite regularly cause when I met him he not knew who I was by board name he recognized my ex-avatar too. My guess is he posts here under a nom de plume and none of us know it's him.
He hinted at some of the content at our Cleveland outing and talked about more about it one on one and based on that and Brian's interview I feel safe in saying that most people here will want to read it. I know I do.
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