AD: Boston Globe reporter on Brad Bates

Submitted by Moe on

Dan Shaughnessy is a well respected reporter for the Boston Globe and he just tweeted the following:

 

If I ran Boston College, I'd be worried about losing AD Brad Bates to Michigan

— Dan Shaughnessy (@Dan_Shaughnessy) November 4, 2014

Many are saying he's the front runner for the position.  This definitely adds fuel to the fire of who may be our next AD.  On a personal note, I had a great conversation with a family friend over the weekend who played baseball at Miami (NTM) while Brad Bates was the AD there.  He gave an incredibly glowing review of his time with Bates, and how he'd be an ideal AD for Michigan.

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Tater

November 4th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^

The resignation of the "bull in the china shop" has turned Michigan into the "elephant in the room" for any AD with Michigan ties. This is becoming almost as interesting as the coaching search is going to be.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

beardog07

November 4th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^

They're kids, so they tend to be enamored with authority figures. Also, it seems that Brandon was very much an athlete's AD.  Problem was that he didn't save any of that love for the fans who support the players.

OTOH, many former players did not like DB, apparently.

Joined: 10/12/2008

MGoPoints: 914

Ovr

November 4th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^

His dad Jim Bates was an O-lineman for Bennie Oosterbaan in the 50s. Jim coached Brad as an option QB at Port Huron Northern in the mid-70s. Brad had small school offers but preferred to walk on for Bo. He eventually earned a scholarship as a special teams contributor and reserve safety. He graduated and left Michigan with Bill McCartney when he took the Colorado job. He was the nation's first strength and conditioning coach. He invented the position at Colorado. He and Les Miles were McCartney's GAs when he first arrived at Colorado. After Colorado, he went into administration at Vandy, where he earned his doctorate in Education. Left Vandy for the cradle of coaching in part because they had a CCHA hockey program. Was at Miami for a decade. Was a nominal finalist for the Michigan job both when Martin and Brandon were picked, although most agree those hires were faits accompli. Left Miami shortly after Brandon's hire for BC. BC liked his hockey background, commitment to education, and B1G and SEC credentials. He's declined opportunities to interview for B1G AD jobs because he knows Michigan has never hired an AD away from another B1G school, and he would view that as disqualifying if the Michigan job ever came open. No one knows much about him because his idol is Don Canham. He works behind the scenes where he has the respect of those who work for him. He's really the anti- Brandon. A humble, competent administrative lifer. If Schlissel wants the best chance to land Harbaugh, Bates will be the guy.

Joined: 09/30/2009

MGoPoints: 227

Victor Valiant

November 4th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^

It's not surprising at all that current/former Michigan athletes that played during Brandon's tenure would like him. Afterall, he is a former Michigan athlete and was also an authority figure to them. It would be more surprising if they didn't like him.

Joined: 11/23/2013

MGoPoints: 4491

Connecticut Wo…

November 4th, 2014 at 1:09 PM ^

that using the preference of the student athletes (at Miami) to support the candidacy of Bates could be flawed....

"I had a great conversation with a family friend over the weekend who played baseball at Miami (NTM) while Brad Bates was the AD there. He gave an incredibly glowing review of his time with Bates, and how he'd be an ideal AD for Michigan."

Joined: 08/13/2014

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True Blue Grit

November 4th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^

I like him as a candidate because he's experienced and would be passionate about being here again.  I also like him because he's a little more seasoned than some of the younger candidates (Phillips for example). 

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32234

Hagen

November 4th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^

I think I've seen it on the board before, but would appreciate it if someone could refresh my memory (and promise not trying to stir up why he should be hired over anyone else...best man for the job should be hired).

What type of relationship do he and Harbaugh have?  It doesn't seem their playing careers here ever overlapped.  Is it just that they are friends as football alumni or is there a stronger connection?

 

Joined: 03/03/2012

MGoPoints: 1014

Victor Valiant

November 4th, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^

Jack Harbaugh was at Michigan while Bates was, and it's my understanding that Jim Harbaugh used to attend practices while his dad was coaching at UM, so I'm sure Bates either met him, or at the very least would be able to bond with Jim through Jack, either in person, or over stories.

Joined: 11/23/2013

MGoPoints: 4491

Brodie

November 4th, 2014 at 4:42 PM ^

they have basically no verified friendship or connection beyond "his dad was Bates' position coach"

as these things go, that small tidbit has been turned into an avalanche of people who think they're best friends and Bates is a guarantee of Harbaugh, largely spurred by JUB naming them together as his guesses for next AD and HC.

Joined: 11/19/2008

MGoPoints: 10712

Izzoiswashedup

November 4th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^

I'm okay with Bates but my frontrunner is Long who is basically like Brandon with renovations to facilities and paying for coaches without the douchiness and corporateness.

Joined: 06/07/2014

MGoPoints: -189646

superstringer

November 4th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^

Which do you think POTUM wants:  (1) AD at an ESS EE SEE school which is a "Tier III" (i.e., crappy) institution that is in Arkansas, a state that is not exactly equated with academic rigors, or (2) AD at a decently-respected Catholic school (Jesuit, in fact) run by priests who daily stress that moral ethics are more important than life itself.

If you're listening closely, Mr. Long is so not a candidate for our position.

Joined: 02/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18006

mfan_in_ohio

November 4th, 2014 at 8:39 PM ^

I can't even imagine what that would mean. That takes away his two most defining characteristics. Here are some similar statements: "Like a red Michigan helmet without wings." "Like Fred Jackson, but with a track record of recent success and without the exaggeration." "Like a skinny Charlie Weis, but with a job."

Joined: 01/26/2009

MGoPoints: 18186

UMfanUConnalum

November 4th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^

FWIW Dan Shaughnessy is known well around the area as a huge troll. 90% of what he writes is used to stir up controversy. Now this could be legitimate but he is honestly just stirring the pot.

Joined: 02/20/2012

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