dave brandon in dallas
per Ira Weintrab of WTKA radio in ann arbor. He also talks about how funny it is for everyone to be tracking the UofM plane. But ultimately we do know he is using the dominos plane if it in fact is in Dallas. take it with a grain of salt. Im to the point now I am willing to bet money we will have a coach on wednesday. Brandon is going to spend the week that the state of michigan requires him to use before he is allowed to hire anyone.
January 10th, 2011 at 7:48 AM ^
Must be Gerg's plane.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:58 AM ^
get an automatic +1 from me.
January 10th, 2011 at 7:52 AM ^
There was a NetJet that flew from Baton Rouge to Savannah/Hilton Head to Westchester (NY), the same route the winged one has flown. My guess (totally a guess) is that the executive search person who is based out of NYC was picked up by the "wolverine-winged" plane originally and flown down to BR and/or Dallas and then took a NetJet flight back afterwards. I still cannot figure out the Savannah/Hilton Head stops. Some think it is visits to LC by DB or MSC but I'm not buying that yet.
Check out p.32 of this thread on TigerDroppings (if you think I've totally lost it, spend some time over there):
http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/MessageTopic.asp?p=23794932&Pg=32
January 10th, 2011 at 8:14 AM ^
The third is a Zeppelin, another disaster about to happen.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:36 AM ^
. . . or our next coach is Jimmy Page
January 10th, 2011 at 8:39 AM ^
We've already had Elvis at QB.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:02 AM ^
I think the fact that we're not willing to draw any firm conclusions about the winged plane going where it does suggests its not really such an "obvious blunder" to be using it during the coaching search.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:16 AM ^
It was on the local news down there and it is in the papers and all over the LSU websites. Hardly what you would want if you were trying to meet with Miles without anyone knowing.
January 10th, 2011 at 7:24 AM ^
Doesn't anyone fly commercial any more? It's it possible that he just took an American Airline flight to Dallas? Even the very few people I know who are super wealthy fly commerical to major destinations where there is a first class cabin on available flights.
January 10th, 2011 at 7:30 AM ^
First, they will be discussing things on the planes and this is way too confidential to do it on a commercial flight. Besides, DB has easy access to a Dominos jet (he remains chairman) and to the UM planes. If you had access to private jets, would you fly commercial?
January 10th, 2011 at 9:13 AM ^
I wonder how many jets we have? I wonder if DB is using Wolverine 1 or Wolverine 3.
January 10th, 2011 at 11:24 AM ^
would you take it back right away?
Neither would I.
January 10th, 2011 at 7:36 AM ^
January 10th, 2011 at 7:36 AM ^
Seriously, absolutely no offense intended here - but if the wealthy ppl you know and are referring to are that humble, that's great. But my experience is that if private is available then that's the way to go. By a long shot.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:09 AM ^
Yes, for major destinations one might book a ticket on a long-haul commercial flight (e.g., NYC to LA or Tokyo) but for something like Ann Arbor to Baton Rouge a private plane is much more practical. Especially when time might play a factor too.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:17 AM ^
I don't think Dave would fly commercial after they started those security pat-downs. I can see it now...
<br>DB: "don't touch my balls"
January 10th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^
"... be careful with my Lesticles, they are precious cargo that need to be back in A2 by Wednesday."
January 10th, 2011 at 8:20 AM ^
He'd fly private if for no other reason than he doesn't have to go through traditional airport ticketing and security. That saves you a good 45 minutes before leaving (private flights you just need to show up 5-15 minutes before take-off). On top of that private flights allow you to leave whenever, something I hope DB uses if he needs during this search.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:50 AM ^
This:
vs. this:
You tell me what's preferable...
Not even getting into the private conversations that need to take place...
January 10th, 2011 at 7:37 AM ^
January 10th, 2011 at 9:00 AM ^
Can I borrow a few bucks? I'll pay you back on Thursday, I can't lose, I swear it!
January 10th, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^
You're my boy (girl?) but I can't get to the bank - its snow Armageddon down here in NC and pretty much everything is closed. See my new Diary entry coming in a few . . .
January 10th, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^
Excellent... I'm your boy... and a great diary!
January 10th, 2011 at 7:50 AM ^
This is all about the future, and DB's legacy to M. He knows that football funds the athletic department, and that, at the moment, it and the BT Network are cash cows. This is about tv sets, the NY City market, recruiting, and repairing the defense. We are in the theater of national tv competing for dollars. Sorry, but I think Hoke is an admission of two things: 1) Carr's cronies in the athletic department spent 3 years undermining RR; 2) M is a program on the decline because no top ten coach will come here. The country is watching and anyone less than a coach with a winning track record and charisma is out of the question and will make us a laughing stock and the butt of jokes. Like it or not, Miles makes for good theater - clock management and his predisposition for grass eating. Gruden is a commentator for good reason - ratings. Patterson is what DB is looking for when it comes to defense - have you seen his defensive record the last 5 years? Mullen is charismatic and players will come. Finally, we shouldn't laugh at those Stoops rumors - there could very well be a dark horse. (Even Urban Meyer is not out of the question.)
DB did not lie about JH in his press conference. He already knew he was on his way to the pros. So, I think he had been negotiating with him sometime ahead of firing RR. No CEO in his right mind does not have a plan B. In short, let's trust him a little bit here, because I think we are in for a pleasant surprise and a bright future.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:00 AM ^
I can't see Stoops or Meyers. Gruden possibly, but I think it's a very long shot. I think the primary targets are Miles and Patterson with Hoke as a last resort.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:15 AM ^
The reason why Gruden immediately gets tossed around for this job when it was open the last two times, is he has mentioned it being one of his destination jobs, and wanted to make it happen by the age of 39.
Just some wishful thinking on everyone's part I suppose. At 47 this job would probably be his last job, and he seems to still have the NFL itch to take it at this point.
January 10th, 2011 at 9:18 AM ^
As much as I would like to have Gruden, I just don't see him coming back to college. If what people said about him making 4m at ESPN is true, why would he come here or any college for 5m. I can see him waiting for full control and a nice roster in the NFL.
January 10th, 2011 at 9:38 AM ^
I saw Meyers last night. Nice place. Bought some oranges there.
January 10th, 2011 at 7:51 AM ^
I wish the lynch mob for David Brandon would cool their jets.
Why don't we wait until someone's hired before we call this guy names, call for his firing, etc.?
January 10th, 2011 at 8:02 AM ^
It's unbelievable the crap he's getting over this hire before he's even hired someone.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:22 AM ^
does the Lynch Mob's jets have wings. I don't think so. So suck it, Lynch Mob!
January 10th, 2011 at 8:44 AM ^
...in more agreement with Magnus than right now. So tired of the doom and gloom. There will be time for that when it's announced that Brady Hoke is the next HC.
Seriously though, wait for the end result before passing judgment, folks. Because it could be, legendary.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:47 AM ^
I don't always agree with you but I definitely do on this. Give DB time and space. I actually appreciate that he's taking his time to get this right. If we lose a recruit or two in the process, it's minimal compared to getting the wrong HC. Everybody chillax.
January 10th, 2011 at 9:05 AM ^
There are a lot of great stories and rumors but none of us really know who he's been talking to. Too quick to judge him at this point.
January 10th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^
1) He assembles a national search committee/ hired a recruiting firm in the 1st week of January. He should have been doing this from at least the OSU loss (to understand his choices and the overall interest in the M job if JH fell through).
2) It looks like he put all of his eggs in the JH basket and JH dissed him and UM (it may not be true, and JH may not have been offered, but as of now, it looks like DB swung for the fences and missed).
3) DB hasn't hired a coach before, so why are we assuming he's awesome? It's not like he was an AD/ athletic administrator at another school and has hired coaches in the past.
4) If BH is hired, it will be viewed as UM struck out with JH, LM, (no chance candidates like Gruden)..., even if Hoke turns out to be an excellent coach.
Now, DB may very well do an excellent job (and I pray he does), but I'm just trying to explain why people are scared/ worried about his abilities to hire a new coach.
January 10th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
I'm not sure I've ever seen a bigger bunch of chicken littles. Harbaugh's star rose significantly since Thanksgiving and was not available by the time RR was fired. Harbaugh wanted to coach the BCS bowl and may not have taken the job in Nov. Since then, it's been "off with his head" from the lynch mob which is largely comprised of people who don't realize that it can take more than a day to hire an employee of consequence and the candidates may not want to meet with DB on the chicken littles' timetable. Just let the man make the best hire available to him.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:02 AM ^
January 10th, 2011 at 9:40 AM ^
Hope we set the bar a little higher than the cluster#$%& that was the last search.......
January 10th, 2011 at 8:38 AM ^
He has no idea what he is doing. If it isnt Miles Please be one of the follwing in this order. Chip Kelly, Dan Mullen, Gus Malzahn, or Les Miles with one of these as the coordinator/HC in waiting.
January 10th, 2011 at 9:04 AM ^
Dude turned around an entire Pizza franchise. I think he's got this.
P.S. He's not getting Chip Kelly. He's one of the highest paid coaches at a NC competing school and he has a $4M buyout.
P.P.S. I'm a BIG fan of Mullen who's got a more modest contract and only has a $1.4M buyout.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:53 AM ^
Getting a deal in principal done before the NC tonight would help who ever is going to be in the HC chair. Media loves UM and there would be round table after round table discussing the hire on National TV /ESPN all day creating the much needed buzz (hopefully positive buzz) for the new coach. With LSU's best Defensive Player going NFL last night - my gut is saying Les is more for UM.
January 10th, 2011 at 9:32 AM ^
why does anyone think brandon would go with patterson, considering he has no ground in the midwest? that is priority 1 for us, that the coach must be able to compete with OSU for the regional recruits. its miles, hoke, gruden, with pelini a long shot. all four can stick it to OSU, and note, all four are from ohio.
January 10th, 2011 at 9:34 AM ^
You're right, I was one of the people saying this isn't going according to plan. Truth is, we have no idea what's going on behind the scenes. I was probably wrong, just upset about losing some of those commits.
At least there aren't a zillion leaks, and the media can't even do more than quote twitter feeds.
That's fairly impressive right there.
But it is fun to speculate.
January 10th, 2011 at 9:44 AM ^
January 10th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
This may be posted elsewhere. Apologize for the duplication if it is. I LOVE the last line.
"I am not going to form a committee, but I will get advice from people I know who are out there, close to the program and whose advice I value. This is not going to be a popularity contest. My job is to get the right coach.
I need to engage in a process that affords me the ability to get that coach. Clearly it is a disruption; the faster we can bring in a new leader, the better. But I am not going to be motivated by those circumstances and those pressures; I need to get the right individual into this position that will be successful.
Former players, alumni and fans can write and/or e-mail me their thoughts if they think it is therapeutic but again, this will not be a popularity contest."