In Dave Brandon We Trust
Dave Brandon is a smart guy. He played football for Bo, he was a successful fortune 500 CEO at Dominoes, and he was a UM Regent.
I would be willing to bet that he was on the advisory committee to help (tell) Bill Martin who to hire to replace Lloyd Carr.
Brandon is now CEO of UM athletics.
Football is his cash cow.
He MUST make football work. This means winning. It also means graduating his athletes and keeping them out of trouble.
Part of his football program is doing pretty well. The offense is one of the best in the country. But the defense is failing.
His department head in football is a good man. He is a young family man, he is intelligent, engaging, well spoken, and represents the university well. He is an excellent offensive coach and recruiter. His players really like him.
So how to fix football?
Brandon does NOT want to fire this department head.
Are there candidates as good as him out there & available? Not many.
What about negotiating with another university for their coach? How ugly is that?
How much would it cost to pay everyone off and start over?
Football would lose a year recruiting on top of what was lost the last time.
The university would look indecisive (Notre Dame?)
And the next guy: What baggage will he bring with him (a cheerleader in his closet)? And will he win?
No. Brandon will stay with his department head. He will sit down with him, talk about the big picture, and work with him to develop a plan to fix the defense. He will put together an advisory group of football guys to advise the department head on his plan. When the plan is completed, Brandon will help his department head execute the plan.
What is the plan? Basically, it involves getting the right personnel (defensive coordinator), giving that guy control / responsibility, and not interfering with him. Then holding him accountable.
We already tried that?
No, we did not. The department head did not use our brain trust / football family to identify and find the right man to run the defense. Then he did not give the D.C. freedom to hire his assistants, and the D.C. was told what scheme to run. This time it must be different: His personnel, his scheme.
This is what CEO Dave Brandon will do.
If the department head is smart, he will work with his CEO and everybody will look good. This might be difficult on the department head's ego, to admit that maybe his hires and his schemes did not work.
If he is a prima donna, he will not accept help and do it himself. If he does this, chances are he will make the same mistake again, and be fired in another year.
Brandon has other resources to bring to bear on the defensive problem, as long as his Department Head is willing to work with him and them.
My guess is that the Department Head is smart enough to work with the help offered by Dave Brandon to get the job done.
November 2nd, 2010 at 3:36 PM ^
But is the department head willing to be counseled or does he think that he can do better elsewhere running his department his way?
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^
he probably does think that but what choice does he have at this point?....he's kind of burned through the benefit of the doubt by now....
November 2nd, 2010 at 3:44 PM ^
Agreed. I think the Department Head needs to understand this. If he is not on board, then maybe it's better to part ways. If he is, then move quickly and decisively and hope for the best.
The question is whether the CEO will buckle to shareholder (fans, alumni) pressure.
November 2nd, 2010 at 3:48 PM ^
I trust him.
whatever he does, it will be well thought out, and not an emotional decision.
there will be some changes.
brandon has been on the field talking to recruits, they have been getting to know and trust him, see what he is about.
i live in illinois, and illinois fans are not football savvy, and for some reason hate michigan.
November 2nd, 2010 at 9:31 PM ^
I earnestly hope that Brandon decides to keep The Rod and, in fact, renews his contract before the end of the year. Of course, being a Nittany Lion, why shouldn't I? In fact, if you are aware of any campaign I can join in support of The Rod, please do let me know.
I can't think of too many other head coaches who could make a mediocre Penn State Offensive Line and a walk on QB (no slight to his gutsy performance), look like the reincarnation of the Four Horseman.......
November 2nd, 2010 at 3:50 PM ^
I second this diary!!
November 2nd, 2010 at 3:55 PM ^
Yes, that's exactly what a world class CEO would do and exactly how he would look at the problem and its solutions. However, don't forget that he has a President of a University to report to and a Board of regents that she reports to as well. He has to take all those into consideration too.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:21 PM ^
But his job won't be on the line anytime soon. Actually, I have a hard time seeing Brandon losing his job unless we have 5+ straight years of a bad football program.
November 2nd, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
... that most CEOs are governed and serve the Board of Directors and the shareholders (be they public or private). So DB is in a very similar hierarchy as when he was in the public sector. I have faith in DB and believe he will exhaust all solutions and put the University and the longevity of the program above anything else.
November 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^
"I played ball here. I know first hand what Michigan football should, and is capable, of being. This horseshit for the past 2 1/2 years doesn't cut it. Offensive stats mean diddly when you look at our BigTen record since RR's arrival. I could give RR another year, but my gut tells me I will be in a similar spot at this time next year. Then, we'll just be another full year away from getting back to being Michigan. I'm going to use my network of former Michigan player contacts to gauge Jim Harbaugh's interest. If he wants the job, I'm cleaning house as soon as this season is done. I believe Harbaugh can get lots of four star athletes in here quickly. (and even some five stars) I think he can build this defense. I think a gunslinger QB will attract those 6'3" future NFL receivers again. Hell. I know the idea of Harbaugh coaching here makes the bucknuts very uncomfortable." yeah, maybe he's thinking that.
November 3rd, 2010 at 8:49 AM ^
Nah, Brandons a smart dude. Only a total idiot would be thinking like that. Give the guy a little credit.
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^
We'll see who the "total idiot" is when RR gets dumped in about 5 weeks.
November 19th, 2010 at 10:22 PM ^
Please tell me which five stars Harbaugh would get in here "quickly". Posts like this are absurd.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
this is by far the most sane scenario i've read so far.
barring some highly unlikely catastrophic event (on par with unc's agent investigations), rrod will be here next year. the offense is rolling along just fine. a team that is 8th in the nation in total offense and is scoring 35 ppg should be able to easily make it to an 8-4 season. something does need to be done about that defense. starting new on that front, bringing in a solid mind and letting him do his thing (like we did with rrod, magee, and co) seems like the best way to go about it.
for all the 'fire rrod now" people - firing him will make this offense worse. this offense, rrods baby, is doing exactly what it needs to do, and more. the defense needs to be overhauled one way or another. OP is advocating the smartest option out there - keep what works, ditch what doesn't. the offense isn't broken - don't try and fix it. the defense is, so lets swap it out.
November 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
If it were decided, Brandon would have already started laying the groundwork for the things the OP proposes. Basically the blow back on recruiting is unavoidable the longer you wait. A public announcement of Rich's return has no downside unless Brandon has doubts he can effectively deliver satisfactory results.
The most likely reason that Brandon hasn't retained Rodriguez officially is that Rodriguez hasn't yet earned it in Brandon's estimation; but still could.
There is also a "make Rodriguez accountable for some winning results" crowd that is not a member of the fire him nor the keep him crowd.
The cool steady hand in charge has got it covered.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:08 PM ^
Michigan has been fighting a battle within the recruiting trenches for a number of years. (And yes, even with our large alumni base...Many of us are not doing what we can for the program: I'm looking at you Braylon.)
We've lossed a number of recruits on the trail for that very reason - "Michigan is on the down swing...blah blah blah". (For reference, TP was around the tipping point.)
Brandon's moves will show stability for the program.
A lateral move for Gerg to a position coach. (Will his ego take it?)
RR gets a new DC for '11
Nice to see the rebounding of the blogs mood today! Let's keep it up!
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:16 PM ^
A lateral move for Gerg to a position coach. (Will his ego take it?)
Maybe if DB and RR shaved his head and donated his perfect hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths or Matter of Trust?
November 2nd, 2010 at 8:27 PM ^
ROTF!
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:11 PM ^
His "Show us your gameday face" contest, whereby you photograph the aftermath of each Saturday's Michigan game, is sure to be a big hit. The grand prize: Watching the Ohio State game from the field.--as starting Cornerback! I've got a tower of dead soldiers flanking a shattered plasma TV that just may win me a scholly...
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:16 PM ^
This is a sensible post -- but what strikes me most is that the formatting is similar to that of THE KNOWLEDGE . . . and now that I think of it, I have never seen w2j2 and THE KNOWLEDGE in the same place at the same time . . .
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
How much would it cost to pay everyone off and start over?
-A CEO would look at future cash flows and determine if the investment (paying off a coach and hiring a new one) would increase future revenue via more winning.
Football would lose a year recruiting on top of what was lost the last time.
-RichRod had a top 10 recruiting class the year he came in. So did Brian Kelly this year.
The university would look indecisive (Notre Dame?)
-New CEO's replace managers with their people all the time. How is that indecisive? I think it's much easier to make the argument that floundering over the decision is indecisive.
And the next guy: What baggage will he bring with him (a cheerleader in his closet)? And will he win?
-No CEO makes a decision on unwarranted speculation or conjecture. We've sure got a lot of baggage right now, though.
Brandon has other resources to bring to bear on the defensive problem, as long as his Department Head is willing to work with him and them.
-So essentially, the CEO needs to micro manage his department head, who has mismanaged 1/2 of his operation to the point of national embarassment.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
Please don't talk about the 2008 recruiting class until you've read up on it:
http://mgoblog.com/content/upperclass-argh-carrs-recruiting-fade
Good CEOs don't fire employees with potential. They teach them how to make better decisions for the benefit of the company.
Also remember who the last boss was (a great businessman but not a true CEO type IME), RR may have had little to no guidance. Give it a chance, it's not even remotely clear that we're on a road destined to failure so it's hard to make the argument that the longer we wait the more costly the decision.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
If I were Brandon, I'm not so sure I would want to micromanage the selection of the DC and then be identified as having responsibility for the choice if things don't turn around.. Brandon has a bye...for a while. Rod is not his guy.
One point that gets minor attention is the groundswell of noise from alums who aren't aware of the personnel issues. It was loud last year...I can only imagine if we end up 6-6 what it will be like at season's end. These are the folks who pay the bills...and they are mad as hell. Brandon is caught in the middle of this mess. Should he decide not to dump Rod, and we suck again next year, I can hardly begin to imagine how loud the roar will be.
The right thing here can be several different paths. I bet Brandon isn't sleeping well.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
everyone who trusts DB on all decisions has not yet tried the new domino's pizza.
:)
more seriously, i hope you are right.
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:03 PM ^
While it's not awesome, it's definitely an improvement from before. I mean, how could it not be? The pizza just needed to be average to allow the world class operational and logistics teams to do their jobs.
November 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 PM ^
Lutha - we just need him to do the same damn thing to the defense.
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:09 PM ^
brandon ain't lyin..... it is better now!!
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^
Brandon is a good manager and he has the trust of not only the fanbase, but of the University's President and the Board of Regents. It's hard to come up with someone who is better suited for the Michigan Athletic Director position.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
Excellent post w2j2! Thank you for the detailed analysis of the only realistic strategy Brandon has at this point! Your article gives me hope for 2011.
Two more data point to consider regarding RR's willingness to accept DB's counsel.
- Scott Shafer, Tony Gibson, and GERG were all hired by RR alone, without consultation from Sailor Bill or anyone else not connected to RR. Brandon, being an ex-football player in addition to an executive, can offer more organizational guidance to RR than Sailor Bill ever could. In fact, we may have a better shot with Casteel now that there is a unified front between AD, coach, and administration under the w2j2 plan.
- Tony Gibson has shown competencies only in two areas: 1. Maintain a special relationship with the head coach; 2. Convince speedy athletes from Florida to consider Michigan. Under the w2j2 plan, RR would not have the ugly responsibility of firing his best buddy, like Lloyd had to do when he elevated Ron English over Jim Herrmann. Brandon would take on that responsibility, while keeping Gibson around in a capacity that is acceptable to RR.
Ultimately, DB and RR's ability to find the right coaches who can strategize and teach our young defense will dictate our success next year. I would rather take a chance on a new scheme, as opposed to letting RR sacrifice another D-Coord.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:34 PM ^
likely gone. No CEO would give a subordinate complete control over an operation and stick with him after three years unless it was clear that the momentum is strongly in the right direction. What happened three, two years ago is irrelevant. What matters is tomorrow, and the best indicator of that is what happened this year. I believe that Brandon would have preferred to have inherited a success, but if he sticks with Rodriquez he is responsible for next year, and the years that follow. From purely a businessman's approach, it is more likely that he brings in his own team.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
...RR was not his hire, so he can afford to take the risk, ie allowing RR another year. I garner that he will be willing to stick it out another year with a plan laid out similar to what the OP suggested.
What happened three, two years ago is irrelevant. What matters is tomorrow, and the best indicator of that is what happened this year.
The season isn't over yet and there is still a good chance that we see another 2+ wins over the prior year. True, we are only seeing progress on one side of the ball, but it is overall progress nonetheless. It's easier to fix one side of the ball, the side that is broken, rather than scrapping both sides by axing the HC.
I think DB will see that giving RR one more year will be the best long term strategy. I don't think a reasonable person can look at this roster and not believe they will improve next year. This would clearly be a gift to any new coach and could give a false positive on that new hires ability. Look at ND during the Davis/Willingham/Weis coaching carousel - a good 1st and 2nd season followed with mediocrity and then full-blown agony.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:40 PM ^
I know eleventy billion isn't a number yet, but it will be.
We have yet to see Denard at the helm as a senior with coach Rich Rod on the sidelines when he rushes for eleventy billion yards!
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:43 PM ^
tremendous topic and a helluva post...and some of the most levelheaded responses i've seen here in a while as a longtime lurker
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^
.
The Noid will be the defensive coordinator in 2011.
.
Yes.
.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
100% certain D.B. was originally a Les MIles guy at the time of RR hire.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^
I have heard the opposite. Brandon was the one who convinced everyone else in the search committee that we cannot wait for Miles.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
an old classmate of mine is a 20+ year golfing buddy of DB and told me this with certainty. i suppose there is always room for doubt (maybe i should have sain 99% certain). but my buddy asked him directly and that is what he was told. FWIW
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:06 PM ^
You are probably correct. The same buddy who told me about Brandon being in favor of the RR hire also told me that Kirk Ferentz was the original choice until he turned down the job.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^
Well thought out post. I think that if RR is retained, cleaning house on the D-side of the ball and hiring a "star" d-coordinator is likely the only way to fix this thing anytime soon.
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^
Unless the guy who has already hired two failed defensive coordinators and put the players on the field is the real problem.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:14 PM ^
When Brandon said (emphasis added):
So my job is to leverage the assets associated with football whether it be merchandizing, or licensing, or the stadium, or the gate. Everything and anything we can do. And any Michigan fan should want us to maximize those revenues because it affords us the ability to invest in Crisler arena and the player development center and all the things that are so important to building this brand and building this program.
It was obvious that the almighty $$$$ would drive his decisions.
Remember, it is CEO's that cut headcount and reduce the employee benefits while simultaneously taking home tens of millions of dollars for themselves (I deserve tens of millions of dollars but my employees don't deserve decent health insurance).
Any idiot can cut headcount and benefits. Any idiot can fire a head coach in less than 5 years -- even though there is no way to evaluate the success of a completely new program in less time.
Will Brandon be any idiot?
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:46 PM ^
I don't buy into the argument that good CEO's that cut headcount and reduce benefits to line their pockets. The guys that do that, are short termed focused. A good, properly incented CEO has a long term focus and tries to grow their company. Further, in this case, there is not a lot of payroll to cut and the benefits of more wins would likely more than outweigh any cost savings of cutting payroll.
The gate alone at a M football game has to be in the $6M range without seat licenses, concession sales, merchandising... No, winning adds too much revenue and Brandon is clearly incented to try and maximize winning over time.
November 2nd, 2010 at 8:07 PM ^
Any idiot can cut headcount and benefits. Any idiot can fire a head coach in less than 5 years -- even though there is no way to evaluate the success of a completely new program in less time.
Maybe the question we should be asking is, why did RR take a well-established program and turn it into a "completely new program"? And given that he did so - and that the new program has been a major failure thus far - does it really make sense to keep entrusting him to run the ship?
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:27 PM ^
Boy only if everything worked out the way we plan it...it sounds great and I hope RR stays but everyone else is replaceable!!! period!!!! But what I dont understand is it takes u 8 games to realize that what your doin isnt workin???? dam!!!! in this society??? If u dont produce on yur job you become expendable...at any level in life if you dont produce, perform in life u become expendable, why in the hell did it take a group of so called college coaches weeks of missed tackles missreads to change somethin.......keep RR but everyone else ....GET THE F@#$ OUT.........
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^
...work.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^
Yeah, DB is a real smart guy. He left Domino's at almost it's lowest stock price ever.
The stock has doubled since he left during a recession!
http://eresearch.fidelity.com/eresearch/goto/evaluate/snapshot.jhtml?sy…
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:11 PM ^
Due in large part to success from overhauling the company's core product--no small feat--which Brandon helped spearhead
November 2nd, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^
DB's bold move worked ... The pizza is great.
Regarding the stock price, every stock price is up in this recession ... GOOG, AAPL, PCLN and Ford is up a mere 1400% in the last 24 months. :-)
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^
and I think his scenario is a receipe for success. If the "Dept Head" is unwilling to hire the right man and give him control of area and let him run accordingly, then the Dept Head may have to leave. The CEO is a smart guy and I'm sure has a short list of potential successors if things unravel in the near future.
I also trust Dave Brandon. Right now, I trust him more than the staff to come up with a winning gameplan for Saturday based on what happened last week.
Comments