AD: Boston Globe reporter on Brad Bates
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.
November 4th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^
Because it doesn't come with any information whatsoever. If he tweeted that, followed by "and here's why I feel that way: (linked article)" then you might have a point.
But he doesn't do that. He just shoots out a vague tweet with no additional info so now if Bates goes to Michigan, he can say that he knew about this the whole time.
November 4th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
If you think people won't be busting the door down to take this job, you're wrong. This is one of the top AD jobs in the country, regardless of the state of the department at the moment.
So yes, BC should be scared. Every school should.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
100% agree.
1. Facility infrastructure upgrades already underway for the non-revenue sports
2. You have an elite basketball coach in place under no threat of departure
3. You will probably get to select a new hockey HC in the next year or two
4. You will definitely get to select a new football HC early in your tenure
5. If you manage to get #4 right while not being a complete and total DICK to everyone outside of the Athletic Department people here will probably want to build statues of your likeness
November 4th, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
Amen. Not one candidate in this country is off limits.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
Hollis. And Smith (of the Gene variety).
November 4th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
He meant there's no reason any big time AD shouldn't be at least intrigued by the job, not that we should put any big time AD in that position. Hollis is a child in Dantonio's mold so he'd never take the Michigan job anyway, but surely he knows in the deepest depths of his Sparty heart that our field hockey team plays in a nicer stadium than his football team does
November 4th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
on March 20th of this year. (Ace tweeted a link to it). Big grain of salt.
November 4th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^
Some of the prior comments say he is a hack and not to be trusted. Perhaps so. I don't know him. Still , the Bates to UM rumor has been widely speculated elsewhere here in Boston.
Unfortunately, some people seem to be confusing this SBNation reporter with the one from the Boston Globe, correctly identified by the OP as a widely respected journalist. The Globe reporter, Dan Shaughnessey clearly is no hack. True, he did write about the Amaker to BC speculation. But he did not say "Amaker WOULD BE BC's coach." He did not rely on rumor. He just reasoned about the new job opening and said why he "expected" Amaker to go to BC. Here is what he said:
"This is not official, mind you. Maybe Amaker can push the Crimson all the way to the Sweet Sixteen this year. Folks at Mr. Bartley’s are hoping Amaker will still be at Harvard next year, and the year after, and the year after that. Maybe he’ll be there long enough to get his own statue in the Yard, alongside John Harvard.
But I’m betting he’s gone as soon as the Crimson lose their next game. The Boston College job opened up Tuesday when BC fired Steve Donahue, and Amaker is the odds-on favorite to be taking his talents to Chestnut Hill.
Sorry, it just makes too much sense. The 48-year-old Amaker has done everything he can do in seven seasons in the Ivy League. He has hit the glass backboard ceiling. He is an ACC guy (Duke) and a man who can take BC back to the levels it reached under Bob Cousy, Dr. Tom Davis, and the much-maligned Al Skinner (Al must be smiling a lot these days). And he would not have to move his family."
November 4th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
Yeah, that guy's a major hack. He loves to stir shit up. He makes Drew Sharp look like Edward R. Murrow. I'm not saying he's wrong, but he is DEFINITELY talking out of his ass.
November 4th, 2014 at 4:49 PM ^
if I want an AD in favor of punting.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
It looks like some reporter is just throwing darts to see if he's close to being on target.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
Nothing terribly definitive or new here, but on Friday BC Interruption did their hot take on Brandon's reisgnation here - LINK
The reader comments are pretty varied actually, but I just find it interesting that a fair number of them took some version of the "meh" attitude towards the prospect of Bates leaving, mixed in with a few who believe there's no way he gets the Michigan job anyway. One person towards the end even takes a sentence to point out that the conversation itself highlights the insecurities of most BC fans. I simply thought some folks might find them interesting - I still think Bates would probably do well here.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
I have two siblings who are BC alums. I think that is always the state of BC fans -- they pretty don't much get excited about BC sports, except when something big is happening (eg hockey Frozen Four). But they don't get down about it either, they just have zero expectations. it's not a place where sports is all that important; they go, but, just something to do, not to live and die for.
November 4th, 2014 at 1:21 PM ^
Dan S knows less than Jon Snow.
November 4th, 2014 at 2:22 PM ^
2) nothing
November 4th, 2014 at 2:24 PM ^
2) nothing
Sorry jon
November 4th, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^
I sure couldn't tell you if Bates (or anyone else is the perfect candidate). I'd have to hear them answer several questions first:
1. Which is more appropriate in Michigan Stadium - Neil Diamond or the Michigan Marching Band?
2. Do you like football uniforms designed by children and made for clowns?
3. Which person would you consider more of a role model - Jerry Jones or Billy Beane?
Finally, a trick question....
** Where do you like to sit when watching film with the coaches?
November 4th, 2014 at 5:48 PM ^
4. Which is the more important factor in driving attendance: strength of home schedule or wi-fi in the stadium?
November 4th, 2014 at 4:09 PM ^
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November 4th, 2014 at 6:04 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 10:05 PM ^
just as the people stepped up and got us free of brandon, now they/we need to step up to make sure the powers that be don't try to achieve "balance" (read, deemphasize athletics). michigan alumni/fandom are in desperate need for competence at the AD/coaching level. i cannot imagine the regents/president et al aren't aware of the importance of continuing to pursue excellence in football. "connective tissue". isn't that the term the pres himself used in the press conference last week? we better not get no patsy for a coach whose mandate is only to keep UM out of trouble as opposed to win!!