Brandon says it best...
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon reiterated his support Monday night.
"We still have the good team and good coaches we had a week ago," Brandon said. "After we played five games, all I heard was great excitement and enthusiasm from our fans. Then, we didn't play well and we lost. That happens."
October 11th, 2010 at 11:22 PM ^
but I think the opponent was the alarming part. Either way, I agree with Brandon here. I'm in wait and see mode for what our b10 record looks like this year.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:22 PM ^
Dude's a rock. Great leader. Glad he's ours.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^
So wise. I'm waiting for him to threaten to cut the football program in half just to see who's willing to give it up to save its life.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:36 PM ^
to the wisdom of Solomon. David Brandon is proven business leader who can make the tough decisions. When this season is over it'll be interesting to see what he has to say and decide about RR
October 12th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^
When this season is over it'll be interesting to see what he has to say and decide about RR
Are you kidding ? What have you not realized? There is no chance he considers dropping "RR" unless there was a major violation. They are in it for the long haul, and to do anything otherwise at this point would be monumentally stupid.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^
Gine, while you may be right as to what Brandon will do, I don't think that you can say that "there is no chance" that Brandon considers dropping RR unless there are major violations.
First, technically, we did commit a "major" violation, as far as the NCAA is concerned. Now we on this site all know that it is a crap violation that just about every single team would be subject to if they were subjected to the same scrutiny as was brought about by the jihad, but technically speaking, it is a major violation.
Second, do you really mean to say that if we lose EVERY remaining game, and again finish with 5 wins a no bowl, RR will be back? How about if we only win 1 more?
While I agree with your sentiment - that Brandon supports RR - I think that you are making it too black and white.
Brandon is a brilliant businessman, and I am confident that he will look at the picture as a whole in deciding what to do with RR. That will include not just the direction of the program's win loss record, but also the views of alumni and donors (since they largely pay for the program), as well as what other options might be available IF he parted ways with RR.
At the end of the day, I think that RR is back because I do not think that this team will go over a cliff over one terrible game. I think that we will right the ship, win at least 2 of 3 from Illinois, Purdue and PSU, and probably 1 of three from Iowa, Wiscy and OSU. That puts us at 8 wins. 7 seems like a realistic low and 9 looks like a realistic high. 7, 8 or certainly 9 wins would not lead a rational man like Brandon to fire RR.
October 12th, 2010 at 2:57 PM ^
I don't think a .500 season would end his job either. We are back in a bowl, we have young talent that shows potential, and our team is progressing. A .500 season next year would probably be a death sentence though.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:31 PM ^
Enough said.....Barring a complete and total meltdown (On the season not here on the board). This program will stay the course....
October 11th, 2010 at 11:31 PM ^
October 11th, 2010 at 11:32 PM ^
weird analogy. But yes, I'd like him to smoke out the traitors.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:36 PM ^
I think you were replying to my post? I hope so... I actually thought about you while I was writing it.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:46 PM ^
Yes, I was responding to you. I do that all the time. Doggonit.
Fairly subtle allusion. I find myself being more oblique and using code language so as not to raise hackles.
But on topic, I think we end up with at least 2 - 3 more wins, DB holds the wolves at bay, and the coaching staff remains intact for another two years.
Regarding my own interests, I am doubly thrilled with RR & Barwis. I think we have a great head coach and conditioning man. But more than that, I can see, reading between the lines, that they are guys I would track with. They are pretty deep under cover, because that kind of thing doesn't fly well in MSM and the Univ. culture.
October 12th, 2010 at 8:44 AM ^
You're starting to remind me of the guy that kept making completely not-subtle references to the Masons a couple of years ago.
Pretty much every regular reader knows you're super duper into Christianity, and that you're stoked that Barwis and Rodriguez seem to be also. Why don't you just cut the "wink wink I think I know what you're saying I get the feeling Rod and Barwis are going to save more thant their jobs knowwhatImean there's a lot of belief in the program but I can't say too much because that sort of thing is not exactly kosher here on this blog, etc. etc."
You're like a teenager with a secret, only you've already told the secret at least a half dozen times.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:09 AM ^
“You're making yourself look very asinine right now. Don't do that.”
October 13th, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^
will cease and desist. posbanged you anyway. and am happy to wait until any info comes up naturally.
kthxbye.
October 12th, 2010 at 9:28 AM ^
"... that kind of thing doesn't fly well in MSM ..."
Sorry -- you'd have to live exclusively in the land of Talk Radio to truly believe that. Have you been listening to how U.S. politicians have been concluding their speeches for the last umpteen years? If so, you'll see that "that type of thing" flies beautifully with the great majority of our country, including the MSM.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:34 PM ^
As a former player, he probably knows and understands this more than many other people. His perspective will bring a lot of value to the program.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:40 PM ^
I cannot think of a better person to guide our university's athletic strategy than the inventor of The Noid.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:47 PM ^
the noid
October 12th, 2010 at 12:07 AM ^
it might be the 14 hours of work i've been doing or just the picture, but man i lol'd hard at this. i think it's time to call it a day.
October 12th, 2010 at 1:07 AM ^
Can someone with skills please generate a Noid/Dantonio photoshop? Please?
October 12th, 2010 at 9:52 AM ^
Nicely done, thank you.
October 12th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
As a child the Noid was a stalking molester, an insatiable killer, and a ruiner of all pizzas. Somehow, these colors make him seem even more degenerate. You just know by looking at him that he'll burn his own city to the ground to celebrate your misfortune.
October 12th, 2010 at 9:49 AM ^
The Noid was created in the 1980s. Brandon wasn't CEO of Dominos until 1999.
Dominos did bring back the Noid for a limited run in 2009, IIRC.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:45 PM ^
Not only that, but per Wikipedia:
David keeps a blog, titled "Dave's Blog," which is accessible only to Domino's Pizza franchisees and corporate store managers. In his blog he talks about such topics as his personal unannounced visits to stores and the price of cheese.
I want to read about what Dave has to say about cheese.
October 12th, 2010 at 12:12 AM ^
We must get access to this great store of wisdom.
October 12th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^
Just buy a franchise. Let me know when you get in.
October 12th, 2010 at 12:48 AM ^
Now that we're on the topic, I think it's only fair to ask, ahem, where the muthafucking cheese go at...
http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2004/02/weens_unrelease.html
[scroll to explicit re-mix]
What sayest you to that, Dave Brandon?
October 12th, 2010 at 12:59 AM ^
I'm all in!
October 12th, 2010 at 12:12 AM ^
the REAL Dave Brandon or Dave "Wolverine90" Brandon?
October 12th, 2010 at 12:44 AM ^
That the AD needs to give reac quotes at this point is ridiculous. I understand why Brandon said what he said, and agree with the sentiment, but I hate how the story has suddenly become some variation on the "Rodriguez is under fire" theme.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^
My thoughts exactly. Must we be that kind of fan base? I'm glad Brandon is willing to step up and state support if he feels he is needed, but I'm disappointed that there was a need.
October 12th, 2010 at 3:52 PM ^
Brandon's inbox and voicemail were prolly full Sunday morning. The loud "Fire him now" crowd has been quiet for the first five weeks, and now the RR haters have come back out of the woodwork. I'm sure Brandon has heard threats just like Martin used to hear from big donors who think they can steer the AD's decision about the head football coach by threatening to withhold their money, too. To which I say, see Grady, Kelvin.
October 12th, 2010 at 7:13 AM ^
October 12th, 2010 at 8:22 AM ^
I love people who want to fire coaches in the middle of the season almost as much as people who want to fire the coach at halftime...those are the truly dedicated fans
October 12th, 2010 at 8:26 AM ^
Brandon says it best... when he says nothign at all...
Sarcasm and wicked sweet lyrics aside I think it is in the best interest of the prgram for Brandon to assure RRs job security for the length of his contract. I realize Bradon knows far more than I about motivation, incentive, managing talent, etc. but for recruiting and moral it just seems like it would be the right time to "vote of confidence" RR, ime
October 12th, 2010 at 8:33 AM ^
This is merely a) correct and b) appropriate. I'm sure being AD requires the answering of many difficult questions, and that Brandon can answer most of them with wisdom and aplomb, but this right here is just answering a very easy question correctly. You don't panic when you lose a single game and you don't criticize the coach from the AD's office during the season except under the most extenuating of circumstances. I mean, I'm glad the guy's competent too but to call this merely correct stance "wise" means you've probably been spending too much time in a "fire RR" echo chamber.
October 12th, 2010 at 9:05 AM ^
It's probably because our last AD's answer would have been, "Oh, I don't know. Honestly I didn't even hear the question because I'm on my sailboat. Wait a minute while I go below deck so the waterfowl noises don't drown you out."
October 12th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
Sailing! Because that's all Bill Martin ever did! He really didn't accomplish much of anyting else!
October 12th, 2010 at 9:10 AM ^
but i think the point is that he is speaking to all those fans who evidently are missing the abiltiy to use their common sense. I can tell you now, there are many people who are trying to use this loss to justify getting rid of RR (none of which can actually make that happen, but still) and think he has proven in this loss that he should be let go. That is who is speaking to here. Whether it is answering an easy question correctly or not, many fans needed to be reminded of this fact.....We are 5-1 not 1-5.
October 12th, 2010 at 9:09 AM ^
I found this previous post from August.
Don't know if anyone posted this, but our boy Adam over at ESPN has his ranking of the big 10 qb's up.
Anyways, here they are.
| 1. | Terrelle Pryor OSU |
| 2. | Ricki Stanzi Iowa |
| 3. | Scott Tolzier WISC |
| 4. | Kirk Cousins MSU |
| 5. | Ben Chappell IND |
| 6. | Adam Weber MINN |
| 7. | Robert Marve PUR |
| 8. | Tate/ Denard MICH |
| 9. | Dan Persa NW |
| 10. | Kevin Newsome PSU |
| 11. |
Nathan Scheelchase ILL |
Instead of having the eight qb in the BT we have a Heisman candidate until last week. Doesn't that prove the worth of RR? He was able to over deliver on offense, and then after a little bump people are ready to dump him. I am glad Brandon has perspective.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
Guys from slot 9-11 never played a meaningful down in college. Tate/Denard was still a toss up in the MSM and the only reason Marve was rated higher was because of his experience at Miami.
This shows that RichRod knows offense and he knows who the best 11 are to put on the field.
October 12th, 2010 at 1:26 PM ^
I understand that some of you heard fans complaining that RR should be fired now, but that seems like nothing more than a statement made in upset over the game. Frankly, there isn't really a chorus of "Fire RichRod" going on. Maybe at the end of last season there was. Ok...there was at the end of last season, but it's not back right now.
What we have is a large number of fans/alums seriously upset that we've lost 3 straight to State - something that should never happen. Let people be upset. Should everyone sit politely and pat the coach on the back? Of course not. That's why you hear things like "the coach sucks", "the defense sucks", etc. People need to vent.
RR has the entire season to show what he can do. He shouldn't be judged on the basis of the previous wins (perhaps some recall the cries for an immediate contract extension?), nor should he be judged on the basis of this one loss. Let's hope the team pulls together and comes out with an impressive win on Saturday. We're all upset, but we can also get over it.
October 12th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^
First Rodriguez fails to "get" the MSU rivalry, and now Brandon plays the "just one game" card? Come to think of it, can anyone point to just one new wrinkle our AD installed especially for last weekend? Let's face it, Brandon got thoroughly out-directed by Hollis, and that's UNACCEPTABLE!
October 12th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^
Well, he did have a guy parachute down to deliver the game ball . . . but that pales in comparison to MSU's plan for next week. They're going to have mole people tunnel under midfield and mine the ball out of the earth. Mole people!
October 12th, 2010 at 3:22 PM ^
I agree with the statement. It's just part of this humbling rebuilding process to have to take these defeats from our rivals and just have to accept them as the way it is now. It's a loss. I see it as a subtle way for Brandon to have RR's back.
If RR had said this same thing he'd be demonized not cannonized, Why can't he be treated with the same respect Brandon is? I don't get it. I can see why even some of the players are speaking out on the dissing of their coach. With all the love Dantonio gets, local and national media, why can't every Michigan fan just shut the hell up in their open criticism of RR. Where's the loyalty. I agree with Grady who said you all need to find another team to cheer for.