Detroit News on Brandon and Regents
John Niyo has a front page, above-the-fold ARTICLE on the Flint regents meeting and the general discontent with Brandon. It's a well-balanced piece, but with little that would constitute news to the board. That's not the point.
The point is that this remains an above-the-fold article on discontent with Brandon. This is how what is obvious (and old hat) to frequenters of MGoBlog becomes well-known in the mainstream. Including putting the issues in front of those who vote for regents, consequently increasing pressure on the regents to foment change and girding their loins (iccchhh) for a fight.
So thank you Detroit News and John Niyo. Keep spreading the word!
October 17th, 2014 at 8:31 AM ^
For the record, any buyout of Brandon's guaranteed contract likely will cost $3 million or so, not including the refreshments or confetti.
Hilarious line.
October 17th, 2014 at 8:38 AM ^
There are a ton of money quotes in the article. Early comes this gem from Bernstein:
The university's mishandling of the Shane Morris concussion diagnosis a few weeks ago — and the ensuing public-relations debacle, ultimately blamed by Brandon on widespread "miscommunication" — was "like a spark in a very, very dry forest," Bernstein said. "And there's not a lot of water around right now," he added.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
really ripped him a new asshole--solid comments.
October 17th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
Bernstein really doesn't like Brandon, and I'm certainly okay with that. He was front and center on the fireworks issue saying things like "We are not Comerica park. We are not Disney World. We are Michigan," and "Enough is enough." It's quite clear to me that of all the Regents, he's the one that "gets it" regarding how DB has homogenized and corporatized athletics.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
The Morris thing was badly handled initially, then miserably handled in the press. I'd think most could survive it but our fanbase went into full meltdown over it because of the simmering discontent. It really was like throwing a spark in a very dry forest
October 17th, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^
There is water....It just costs $5 per bottle
October 17th, 2014 at 9:00 PM ^
Just curious, is alcohol served at ze Big House?
October 18th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
it would be Old Milwaukee for $15 a pop
October 17th, 2014 at 8:39 AM ^
I will personally throw in a couple boxes of Chobani for him.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:43 AM ^
Bravo!
October 17th, 2014 at 2:06 PM ^
Which just reinforces the fact Niyo is a Michigan hater.
October 17th, 2014 at 7:28 PM ^
You should probably just stop posting for a while.
October 17th, 2014 at 8:31 AM ^
Boo Brandon Boo
October 17th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 8:59 AM ^
On his morning drive show today on WJR commented about the Regents meeting. He said that "this should all just die down", that "Dave Brandon is doing a great job" and so on.
I'm sure from Smith's lofty view in his ivoryGolden Tower of the Fisher Building, it seems as though this is all about the football team sucking (and why not? Many people on this site feel the same way). I wanted to send him a stack of John U Bacon and Brian Cook articles, and sentence him to a year as a plebian ticket holder like the rest of us.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:02 AM ^
I'd like a stack of Cooked Bacon. Thanks.
Oh wait.. NM.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
Without getting too deep into politics here, it has been discussed before that the Brandon issue has become VERY political, with a deep divide in the Regents down political lines. The 2 regents supporting Brandon are the two Republicans.
WJR doesn't hide the fact that they are a big time water carrier for the Republicans these days, so it is not surprising that they would defend Brandon, strictly because he's a big-shot in the Republican party.
October 17th, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
Without going into my own political views (for obvious reasons) to make this a "Red" vs "Blue" issue is just not helpful. Maybe it can't be avoided since we're talking about elected officials and DB is a so-called "fat cat" in the GOP.
But it pisses me off to no end. Still, to paraphrase Erik in Dayton, Democrats and Republicans could make a political issue out of the composition of moondust. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Michigan Athletics would be divisive along political lines.
October 17th, 2014 at 5:34 PM ^
It's hard to tell what the two Republican regents actully think. Maybe they truly support Brandon, or maybe they're trying to avoid burning bridges with their support base; it's not like their two votes make any difference...
October 18th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
is a contrived issue here. This is not about politics in a red vs blue manner at all and i don't think even WJR can frame it as that. ( don't let Fox get involved though !!! ) This is about a failed AD who has been a disaster with the very students he is supposed to represent and who made a bad choice for head coach and has nearly destroyed the most storied name in college football ( ok ND may argue that last item but did we give in when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor ? ). Even MSU fans can tell the difference. True it would be difficult to run for governor when you've been fired for poor performance but to support him to save his political career would be beyond belief
October 17th, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 9:01 AM ^
To raise the funds to skywrite "True Michigan Men Eat Chobani" right over the big house for the next home game. I think it would be pretty funny and likely get blamed on Brandon.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^
Tack on a "Go Big Blue" on the end and he'll be tarred and feathered right there at halftime
October 17th, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
but these regents seem poised to let it ride and hope for a favorable basketball season. The scenario is looking more like one in which Brandon stays but Hoke goes.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^
Correct. The regents would be stomping all over the President's authority if they openly called for Brandon's head. Bernstein's statement is about as strong of a stamp of disapproval that you'll get from the regents on this issue.
The president isn't going to put up with this shitstorm for much longer. I suspect they're already working with Brandon on his severence because everyone knows the writing's on the wall.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
will not go quietly. If they fire him they will feel it in the morning. The question they are asking themselves right now is, can whatever damage that has been done be reversed without having to fire him? They would much rather lower ticket prices, turn down the rawk, and hire a coach can that can turn the ship around and satisfy the fan base, alumni, etc. But there is the fundamental question, is Brandon a significant obstacle in hiring a top tier coach or is it a figment the fan base has cooked up in order to cover up the fact that it is just not a destination job anymore for big time coaches?
I am inclined to believe that he is not going to be fired right now but that he is going to have almost no involvement in hiring the next coach, nor much involvement with football period for the foreseeable future. They are between a rock and a hard place. Dave Brandon is not a man lacking in influence or resources.
October 17th, 2014 at 10:04 AM ^
I somewhat agree. The bottom line is that when the money starts declining and the statium seats are not full anymore, then change will happen fast. Right now, even with all the negative press, those two things haven't happened at a great enough measure to make an all out change.
October 17th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
The fact revenue hasn't dropped is a timing issue more than anything....season tickets are purchased way in advance so next year's budget will be the one affected by fan discontent. Unless things turn aroud quickly, the next two years budgets will feel a big hit from the mess we are in now.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
Good point and one I didn't take into account. I'd be curious to see the trends and numbers but if the future forecasts look to be trending down then we might see some movement this year, I would think anyway.
October 17th, 2014 at 1:39 PM ^
Well, at least with the student section, we've seen this year's tickect sales drop dramatically and the projection for next year (given the report issues at the regents) didn't point to a much rosier picture.
The only thing that could save next year is that MSU and OSU are home games but, if Hoke survives, I think ticket sales plummet.
October 17th, 2014 at 10:16 AM ^
about the support DB gets from group of alums and/or supporters, but I mentioned this yesterday....DB also has stepped on some wealthy alumni on his way up the corporate ladder and I'm sure that there will be others who support any AD not named Dave Brandon. I'm sure those in his corner can still read the writing on the proverbial wall...
October 17th, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^
He's already going quietly. He wasn't visible at the PSU game, he wasn't at the Regent's meeting (though that's normal) and, most importantly, he hasn't been on Twitter since Sept 30 (despite being a multiple times per day poster).
Dave loves Michigan and isn't going to cause a fuss. I'd be shocked if they aren't working out a quiet departure as we speak. Further, he's got nothing to gain politically from causing more trouble. Love for the University goes well beyond party affiliation and he doesn't want to become even more toxic than he already is.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^
If he was going quietly, he wouldn't have doubled-down on the student concessions last night.
The fact this is still lingering is testament to the fact he doesn't get how toxic this is for the university, and that the university administration is apparently indifferent to the fact that letting this go on day after day only hurts the program more. Schlissel says he needs to take his time, but really, how much more time do you need? How many more constituencies need to put in a vote of no-confidence, especially after the most important, the students, did so on your freaking front lawn?
October 17th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^
I want him gone yesterday, but it still isn't a quick process. He's nearly invisible right now. He could be in front of every camera possible, complaining that Michigan isn't giving him a fair shake, placing the blame on anyone but him, leading a weepy singalong...
It's going to happen and the duration of the period-of-waiting-for-the-ax won't be so long in retrospect.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
If Brandon stays may be an issue of finding a new coach that wants to work with him.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:12 PM ^
This analysis might be correct- Brandon might be "neutered" instead of "put down". Others might take over PR roles and hiring. He might become a figurehead who has to get signatures before he can speak. (a violation of which sets up a firing for "just cause" = no severance)
One of the big things I see as a major difference between the new prez and Brandon is the degree that they value "professionalism". The prez seems very diplomatic and careful to say all the right things- he really seems to value this.
Brandon basically sends off rude emails to fans and whines in public- i think this may tick off the new Prez even more than concussion-gate. It is simply not 'professional" behavior from an AD. I do not think the new Prez likes Brandon as a person based on how they both talk to the public- completely different value systems.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^
They can make purposeful strides to fix the situation, but there doesn't need to be a public hanging on all this. One of the important lessons of leadership, praise in public but punish in private. As long as we are made aware of things happening, there's no reason to slam DB in the public forum. I honestly don't care as long as something positive is happening.
October 17th, 2014 at 10:20 AM ^
Long-term, to me, doesn't mean 90 days or even this fiscal year.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 10:08 AM ^
was able to fire Hoke without more or less firing himself, he would have done it instead of standing by him during the concussion situation.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^
Most people just have no ability to parse words and read between lines. DB is out, it's done, just a matter of time.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
I think Brandon staying and Hoke going is the best realistic outcome. I dont think they will both be canned this year. Its just too much chaos. Brandon knows he is on a short leash. He now knows what he can and cannot do. And I think one thing he knows he has to do is fire hoke and clean house in the football program. Hoke has to go. But I think the Brandon problem has already been taken care of in that he has been publicly flogged. He is not going to make the same mistakes. But he cannot retain the status quo in the football program.
October 17th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
There is support for Brandon from coaches and from some large donors. His removal is by no means a slam dunk.
Schlissel, from what I heard during a conversation between Ira Weintraub and John U this morning, is very pro-student. He believes a university is about its students, suggesting the student's position about DB is significant. Another salient point that was made is that it might be hard for Brandon to bring a new coach on board due to his style of micromanagement.
October 17th, 2014 at 9:21 AM ^
October 17th, 2014 at 9:56 AM ^
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