Dave Brandon Interview EDIT[ More TV Interviews]
Somehow WDIV channel 4 in Detroit is interviewing Brandon tomorrow and Smilovitz will have the interview tomorrow on the 5pm newscast. Guess DB figures no one watches the local news sports segments so that's where he decided to speak out. Enjoy.
EDIT [ He is now going to be interviewed and be on WJBK Fox 2 in Detroit today as well. WXYZ channel 7 can't be far behind. I'd say by this interview tour it looks like he is going to be safe, you don't send out a dead man walking into a controlled environment to propagate the Universities stance]
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:33 AM ^
Wasnt a dig at Jimmy - he has possibly the most soft ball interviews in the history of late night. Not that there will ever be a tough question (aside from Letterman) but I mean Jimmy takes it to an extreme. And Bernie is basically the same - hijink schtick humor combined with the softest questions you will ever hear.
Nothing wrong with being a nice, easy, cheesy sports personality - that's his thing. And why Brandon would go to him.
October 2nd, 2014 at 12:58 AM ^
He left in the late 80s or early 90s for NYC and they tired of his schtick almost immediately. Honestly, I think the Drew Sharps of the world try to emulate the New York press with their always negative brand of "journalism".
Bernie had to come back here where people will appreciate his humor filled take on sports.
October 2nd, 2014 at 12:03 AM ^
Weasels gonna weasel.
October 2nd, 2014 at 12:07 AM ^
Holy Shit Bernie Smilovitz is still around?
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:05 AM ^
Carmen Harlan, Smilovitz and Chuck Gaidica are all still there, but I can't imagine them without Mort Crim.
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:23 AM ^
Chuck's now a pastor at my church in Novi, Oak Pointe. He retired in August.
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:35 AM ^
Where is Eli Zaret??
Yes Chuck just retired - the ageless wonder.
October 2nd, 2014 at 2:28 AM ^
Personally, I miss Sonny Eliot with the weather.
October 2nd, 2014 at 3:15 AM ^
I prefer the ancient Korean tradition of changing weather girls every few weeks.
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:03 AM ^
Somebody send this Bernie guy a DVD of Frost/Nixon.
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:12 AM ^
Will ask him why the unnamed neurologist didn't examine Shane Morris on the sideline after "the play?" The neurologist was making his way to examine Morris when Morris went back onto the field. So why wasn't he examined for a concussion immediately after returning to the sideline? Why wasn't he immediately evacuated to the locker room if the neurologist suspected a head injury? Why, if the neurologist suspected a head injury, didn't he go on to the field to force a cessation of play? So many questions, so little concern.
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:17 AM ^
In regards to the players tweeting, I know for a fact that this was 0% forced by Dave Brandon or anyone in the AD. The players simply like the guy as he's done a lot of good things here too..just wanted to chip in that that was genuine.
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:21 AM ^
For the record, I wasn't accusing him of coercing them. But he's still trying to build a narrative by showing up and reminding them the great stuff he's done for them.
October 2nd, 2014 at 2:11 AM ^
is that he showed up too much. Now you're implying he shows up not enough.
October 2nd, 2014 at 5:52 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 3:01 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 5:32 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 2nd, 2014 at 7:50 AM ^
Not even close.
October 2nd, 2014 at 8:56 AM ^
Yeah, but any competant AD would be doing the same so don't give Dave credit for catering to his athletes.
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:22 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 1:49 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 2:30 AM ^
I am guessing Brandon thinks "Smiley Bernovitz" is going to feed him softball questions...
October 2nd, 2014 at 6:15 AM ^
DB is a politician and he's doing what they do best - politicing. Clearly, he has a propoganda campaign underway to try to change the perception the people have of him. Let's not be fools and fall for it.
We all know, or should know, that Brandon does what he thinks is best for Brandon - the Michigan football program is secondary. Had that not been the case, we'd have Jim Harbaugh or Les Miles coaching the team today instead of Carr's good friend and former employee Brady Hoke.
Don't fall for the propoganda.
October 2nd, 2014 at 7:30 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 7:32 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 8:05 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 8:34 AM ^
Journalism!
October 2nd, 2014 at 8:37 AM ^
Brandon's PR gaffes, tone-deafness to the feelings of alums, students and fans, and mishandling of several situations are what created the anti-Brandon sentiment.
That's going to be a problem for him now and in the future, because he's not going to change.
Folks are well aware of the things that he's done to raise money and improve certain things for non-revenue athletics. That's his counterpoint.
Local media will kiss his behind because that's what local media does. In the long run, however, Brandon being who he is, something will come up that he will mishandle, and action will be taken even if it isn't taken this time.
October 2nd, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
Wouldn't expect any more than the same old BS he (they've) been spewing...
- We screwed up with Morris and changes are being put in place to make sure it doesn't happen again.
- Brady and I get along just fine.
- We (he and Brady) both love this university and want nothing more than to turn this around.
- We feel Brady is the right man for the job.
- We like the things being put in place.
- We have a young football team so it would be unrealistic not to expect some struggles.
- The fans need to support this team instead of bailing on it right now.
The list goes on and on...
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:23 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
Example: when a witness testifies that they don't have a "specific recollection" of a discussion. The insertion of the word "specific" almost always means that, while they may not recall every detail, they have a general recollection and they are hoping not to have to elaborate on that recollection.
So, when reading Brandon's interview, look for phrases like "at this time" or "I expect Brady to remain our coach" or other such phrases that lack a definitive nature. Brandon has been a lot of things, but he almost always talks in a certain, definitive manner. If that is lacking, it may mean something.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:56 AM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^
You raise an interesting point. It seems as if Brandon is VERY competent at numerous aspects of the job - fund raising, facilities improvement, development of non-revenue sports, etc. While these are not necessarily as important to many of us on this board, they are absolutely essential functions of a good AD.
The things that Brandon is doing to upset the fanbase are, as you say, self-inflicted, and seem - with the exception of the head FB coach - to be things that are relatively easy to undo. For exmaple, what if Brandon came on and said:
"I take the protests and petition seriously, and I realize that in my attempt to further build our brand for the future, I have made certain missteps that have upset people. While it is impossible to please all people at all times, there are certain items upon which there is pretty obvious agreement, and I would like to start there. Going forward, there will be no more piped-in music in the Big House. The MMB is one of the greatest in the country, and that will be the only music heard in the Big House on Saturdays from now on. I made a mistake in this regard. Secondly, I am going to eliminate the dynamic ticket pricing model, and institute a 20% price cut for students and 10% for non-students. This is temporary. I recognize that attending Michigan football games is an investment, and the product that we have put on the field in recent years has not been up to expectations. We are working on that, as well, but until the results improve somewhat, these reductions in prices will remain in place. The Big House game experience is, in my opinion as a former player and lifelong fan, unlike any other, and I want to encourage fans and students to take it in."
Sure, half of what he said would be PR bulls*it, but if he acknowledged it, would that help? To me, it would, as it would show that his massive ego has been rebuked and he has learned that he has to take into account the views of students and fans going forward.
October 2nd, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^
Yes, it would absolutely help.
We don't dislike him just by random selection. It's because of what he says and does.
However, we would have to be convinced he means it and is not just doing it to cover his ass until it dies over and he can crank it up again.
But I don't think he will change. He wants to be a Big Impact guy. Quite frankly, I think he finds a normal AD job to be boring and is trying to make it into something else.
He should just go find a job that appreciates what he is about and leave us alone. Both parties would be happier.