Hackett's email
Well, we obviously got the right guy for now. This email didn't come at 1 am.
Dear Donors, Student-Athlete Alumni and Friends,
I know that the recent developments in our department have not only been central in national news stories, but they have likely made you wonder about our future. As I said at the press conference, I have two heroes from my Michigan ties - Bo Schembechler and President Gerald Ford. Both of these men, if they were alive today, would undoubtedly believe in the future success of this extraordinary institution. They would remind us of not only the unique combination of top-rated academics and athletics, but the history of our contributions to the world.
As we begin a new chapter in our great athletics history, I want you to recognize my deep commitment to building on the combination that makes us uniquely Michigan. As a student-athlete alumnus, I am especially honored to work alongside President Schlissel to find a permanent leader, one that will no doubt preserve and enhance the qualities that make U-M a leader in academics and athletics. I value your input and will serve you by ensuring the future of Michigan Athletics is in capable and skilled hands. Furthermore, I see my role as an opportunity to give back to a university that has given me so much.
I am deeply committed to the development of young men and women, who through athletics and education become the leaders and best. Together we will strengthen this great institution. Thank you for supporting U-M and the journey of our 931 student-athletes.
Go Blue!
Nothing overly special, but it's the first I've seen something from him personally.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:37 AM ^
Well said Mr. Hackett.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:20 AM ^
ahem, "Dr. Hackett"
November 18th, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^
ahem, "Jim"
Just kidding, but I just love that he signed it "Jim" (on the HTML version of what I received)
November 18th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 1:50 PM ^
I logged in just to upvote you. I loved Buddy Hackett.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:39 AM ^
Me: Congrats on the gig, Man. Good luck!
Hackett: I worship Satan and sacrifice animals a lot.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:48 AM ^
That was awesome.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:48 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:49 AM ^
Link?
November 18th, 2014 at 8:50 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:57 AM ^
Yes, but what time would that reply be sent? If it was at 1am, this type exchange would concern me. I'd feel a little more comfortable if he was replying with that, say around mid-morning.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:00 AM ^
Pretty sure I saw Hackett at the Samhain concert in '88
November 18th, 2014 at 9:57 AM ^
(I didn't until I was reading a children's book to my nephews about the origins of Halloween about 5 years ago)
November 18th, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^
Grainy screencap or it didn't happen.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:26 AM ^
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November 18th, 2014 at 10:08 AM ^
waiting on my FOIA request...
November 18th, 2014 at 10:11 AM ^
at this point, whatever works.
November 18th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
Screenshot or it didn't happen.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:39 AM ^
and a sentiment that we can all get behind
November 18th, 2014 at 8:42 AM ^
Overall pretty good note. It should be 930 student-athletes though.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:50 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:45 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:47 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:49 AM ^
So far so good. Now we need to get someone permanent that Schlissel, the student athletes, and fans can get behind. I suggest Jeff Long.
November 18th, 2014 at 8:49 AM ^
I didn't see any Harbaugh part. Why is this here?
November 18th, 2014 at 8:52 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 8:55 AM ^
Ah, OK. Rock on, Hack.
EDIT: Oops, I read your post a little too quickly, as "Get ready for Harbaugh. Please don't riot". LOL
November 18th, 2014 at 9:00 AM ^
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November 18th, 2014 at 9:09 AM ^
November 18th, 2014 at 9:19 AM ^
Oh, god. Good point. Get ready for Cam Cameron, everybody.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:29 AM ^
What's wrong with evoking memories of Bo and Gerald R Ford? It's not like he saying that we need someone who played at Michigan to come back and resurrect us. He's just saying that he knew both of them and they would want him to do what is necessary to bring us back. I assume the same sentiment would be said from a guy close to Alabama about Bear Bryant if they were trying to resurrect their program.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^
I don't disagree with you -- but it just makes some of us a little nervous that we could be headed down that path again (meaning hiring a guy over a more qualified one just because he has some sort of tie here). Hopefully not, though.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^
Both Hackett and Schlissel have said that former ties to Michigan are not a requirement.
November 18th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
that's not meaningful and highlights that he was given the job because of his ties to Michigan. It's also really cheesy and unnecessary.
November 18th, 2014 at 12:30 PM ^
How is it cheesy and unecessary to talk about Bo and Gerald R Ford when you knew them personally? I feel like these past four years have made some people think that all tradition or talking about past people is bad when really it's just the head coach getting the job on Michigan credentials alone. What is wrong with a guy who played for Bo talking about him? Why should he just ignore the subject?
November 18th, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^
I would think that for those wondering what the tone of Hackett's stint in lieu of a permanent hire would be, this e-mail does perhaps a little bit to answer that despite being pretty general - it definitely gives one the impression of more openness anyway, if there is something to take out of it. It hits the right notes, so it is refreshing to hear as well.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:29 AM ^
I'm sure this has been asked elsewhere, but I haven't come across it. Is there any way Hackett becomes the full time AD?
November 18th, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^
If he brings in Harbaugh, stays relatively quiet and behind the scene -- and appreciates the ticket holder -- he may possibly have the interim title removed. But if he misses on a significant hire and needs to defend this to the masses -- he may have a short ride.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:13 AM ^
he will instantly become the second most popular person on campus.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
If you were looking to keep him on, you wouldn't put him in charge of the job search for a permanent AD.
November 18th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
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November 18th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
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November 18th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
There's a lot more to running an athletic department than hiring a football coach. We need to land a professional AD this time around.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
But I'm not taking anything truly meaningful or significant from this statement. It's standard, reasonably well-crafted boilerplate that's long on fuzzy warm feelings and short on specifics. There's nothing wrong with that at this point; I don't expect any specifics on much from him right now.
What will tell us much more about Hackett is what happens after the OSU game, and in the weeks to follow.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^
Right now, boilerplate statements are a good thing because everything anyone associated with the Michigan athletic department says in public is getting scrutinized to the nth degree by the media. And they're just looking for anything they can twist into a negative spin. So, the KISS principle is fine for now.
November 18th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^
but Dave Brandon couldn't even get Boilerplate PR right.
November 18th, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
so that one email made me feel better than anything I've seen from Brandon in the last several year. Very calming, thank you Mr. Hackett
November 18th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^
Interesting choice of words:
"As we begin a new chapter in our great athletics history, I want you to recognize my deep commitment to building on the combination that makes us uniquely Michigan."
Sounds like more than an AD change.