brady hoke has a new job title
He's not the Head Coach any longer. Now he's the "Ira and Nicki Harris Head Football Coach."
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/02/brady_hokes_new_job_t…
According to the press release, "This endowed position will strengthen the program for years to come and ensure the future generation of student-athletes will continue to benefit from outstanding coaching and leadership."
February 17th, 2014 at 2:37 PM ^
As others have mentioned, this is a growing trend really and a lot of schools actually have - if the position is not already endowed - open offers out there for endowing the position at an average price tag around $5 million or so, as I recall. Texas Tech wanted $2 million for football, but donors could endow any of the head coaching positions aside from that for $750,000. Duke and Rutgers have similar open offers, I believe. All of the Ivy League schools but Brown have endowed coaching positions for football as well, and it is reasonably common among smaller schools too.
February 17th, 2014 at 2:38 PM ^
I don't see the issue. Most universities have endowed chairs for professors and researchers. Yeah, it's a bit weird to some, but this isn't that uncommon in academic circles and it seems like a trend for college teams.
February 17th, 2014 at 2:46 PM ^
next year do they ride off into the sunset with Brady?
February 17th, 2014 at 3:16 PM ^
They probably have as much influence as anyone who gives the university millions of dollars: more than me and you, less than Brandon and the President.
February 17th, 2014 at 3:33 PM ^
Influence is unlikely. What they likely get is access. When old J. Ira wants to bring his golfing buddies by the athletic department to meet the coach and see his name on his door, Brandon will have a small legion of employees, interns, student greeters and maybe the band ready to receive them.
February 17th, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 2:48 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 2:58 PM ^
Duke
Stanford
Bard
Baylor
Cornell
etc., etc. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_and_universities_named_af…)
February 17th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 2:58 PM ^
Well, it was 10 million to endow one employee position. The university has 35,360 employees (source: http://orsp.umich.edu/proposals/proposaldata.html).
My math would say roughly 1/3 of a quadrillion. And at that dollar amount, I bet the university would be very happy to talk about naming rights!
February 17th, 2014 at 2:56 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 3:01 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 2:57 PM ^
This is just a reflection on the vanity of donors, not on the school or athletic department or Brady Hoke. This is very trivial and affects little and will just be one of those "hey remember when...?" things.
February 17th, 2014 at 2:58 PM ^
Is this real life? This program has really turned into something else.
February 17th, 2014 at 2:59 PM ^
Now we can all say Brady Hoke is well endowed.
(I'll see myself out)
February 17th, 2014 at 3:14 PM ^
It sure seems like it. Like others have mentioned, it is quite common for such titles to be had for any number of positions in academia, non-profits, thinks tanks, etc.. A void existed and by fulfilling such a void, the potential of the organization is being maximized.
February 17th, 2014 at 3:15 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 3:52 PM ^
I love Michigan Football, but if I had $10M to donate, it would go nowhere near the program.
It would actually all go to inner-city schools/disadvantaged students of some kind, but regardless, there's many many better places to donate $10M to.
JME.
February 17th, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^
I'm sure he donates elsewhere.
http://www.cct.org/give/meet-our-donors/j-ira-and-nicki-harris
February 17th, 2014 at 5:18 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 3:16 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 3:23 PM ^
I've always tried to imagine just how much money you'd have to have to decide you didnt need 10 million of it. And how do you arrive at that number anyways? Was their a negottation that went on? "For 2 Million you can name the hockey coach, for 5 Milion you get basketball and for 10 million you get the crown jewel - football?" And do the offer a package deal - buy all three for only 15 million - it's like getting hockey for free!"
The mind reels.
February 17th, 2014 at 3:33 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 3:50 PM ^
The Human Fund thanks you, Mr. Dick Fuck Jibbly Butts.
February 17th, 2014 at 5:31 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 3:35 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 5:20 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 3:40 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 3:48 PM ^
Let him handle his business, damn.
February 17th, 2014 at 3:40 PM ^
"I am not running the Michigan football program."
-Dave Brandon
February 17th, 2014 at 3:49 PM ^
If I was the one donating millions, when they asked my name, I would say "Anonymous."
February 17th, 2014 at 4:04 PM ^
Hasn't Stanford had there head football coach endowed since the 90s? Don't see the big deal with this.
February 17th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^
and I have a horrible feeling that the worst is yet to come. . .I can't even imagine what it is, but it's coming. . .
February 17th, 2014 at 4:20 PM ^
That's crazy! I have a great feeling the best is yet to come. I can't imagine what it is, but it's coming.
February 18th, 2014 at 12:26 AM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 4:16 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 4:17 PM ^
If all this shit meant cheaper tickets, I'd be all for it. Sadly, the opposite will probably happen.
February 17th, 2014 at 5:17 PM ^
This is my issue. I'd love to see that the "extra" 10 million (or at least the interest off it that the AD no longer needs) go back to the UM general fund or for scholarships.
February 17th, 2014 at 4:27 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 4:40 PM ^
David Brandon:
"We are (Taco Bell Grande) Michigan."
February 17th, 2014 at 5:08 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 5:16 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 5:16 PM ^
Aren't these honors usually for people that have earned them (research, teaching, advancing the profession, etc)? Does a football coach seem to fall into that category? Serious question and I am not being critical. We say that being head coach at this university is prestigious and an honor, but is it the same level as people in academia and medicine? Just odd, but I do not care either way. Looking for more info and perspective.
February 17th, 2014 at 6:27 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^
February 17th, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^
I plan to endow a drinking fountain in Schembechler Hall if I can scrape up enough cash.
February 17th, 2014 at 6:22 PM ^
This thread is proof that some people will find a reason to bitch about anything.
February 17th, 2014 at 7:04 PM ^
I can't wait for an Ohio State alum to give more for the Woody Hayes head football coach.
Could DB turn that down?
February 17th, 2014 at 7:11 PM ^
Hello.
February 17th, 2014 at 7:38 PM ^