J. U. Bacon Doubles Down on Brandon's Poor Prospects
Sorry if this has already been posted but I didn't see it. Those of you who listened to WTKA this morning will have already heard this, and I'm sure everyone's already seen Bacon's tweets from earlier in the week regarding Brandon's future being uncertain. This morning, though, he doubled down. Asked point blank by Sam Webb if he thought Brandon survives beyond the end of football season, here's what he said:
No. How's that for an answer?
Sam asked him to explain:
It's going to be Schlissel's vote and nobody elses... he [Schlissel] will have to rely... he's on pretty firm footing with the Law school, Medical school, etc. but he is new to Big Ten, big time football, and so he'll be heavily relying on the regents for his decision making process on this. That leaves you with a group that seems to be about 6-2 against the AD.
Listen to the whole thing here, it's part 08 from today: http://www.wtka.com/page.php?page_id=87
I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I want to believe....
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:15 PM ^
From his lips...
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:22 PM ^
...to our hearts.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:17 PM ^
We will be fine without you.
October 3rd, 2014 at 6:02 PM ^
Have a happy life.
October 3rd, 2014 at 6:27 PM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:30 PM ^
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October 3rd, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^
At this point I don't even care if he ends up being wrong, it's just nice to hear.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:21 PM ^
What does the "U" stand for in his name, anyway?
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:24 PM ^
Unctuous
October 3rd, 2014 at 6:37 PM ^
Bacon isn't unctuous if it is cooked long enough and placed on a paper towel after cooking...
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:25 PM ^
University of Michigan.
October 3rd, 2014 at 7:06 PM ^
Unicorn. Because he is beautiful.
October 3rd, 2014 at 7:11 PM ^
As if you need to ask.
October 4th, 2014 at 4:38 AM ^
I was curious also and decided to google it and there is an interview where he says its Underhill.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:22 PM ^
I wonder how long, realistically it would take from firing Brandon to having the next guy in place? Presumably, somebody has to be in place by December to lead the coaching change. I guess Schlissel could do it, but it doesn't seem to be something he would want to lead.
October 3rd, 2014 at 8:47 PM ^
I'd say a month. The nice thing is, unlike the football coach, there's no reason to wait until the end of the football season to fire him. Even if you know you fire Hoke, you probably wait until after the OSU game, just for the players. But if you fired Brandon a month before that, you could have your new AD in place by the end of November, he can fire Hoke and then have a month or so to find and hire his replacement.
Anyone being considered for the Michigan AD job will have a short list of HC prospects before he's even given the job, so that process can be quick.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:24 PM ^
I'm not one who wishes we'd have talked more football and less DB/BH firing this week. (Seriously? You want to talk more about this team's game against Rutgers?)
But I do think we've all (myself included) gotten way too impatient, where each passing day without a firing makes us believe it'll never happen.
I feel pretty good that Brandon will get fired eventually, probably in 2014, mostly because of stuff like this from JUB. My main concern is that Schlissel, not being a football guy, and being very deliberate, won't understand the importance of getting a new person in with plenty of time to look for a new head football coach. Firing Brandon in mid-December is going to be too late, and I'm concerned it could come to that.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:30 PM ^
Here's hoping behind closed doors they're working out the details of an exit. Would imagine from a timing perspective, soon after the PSU game in the bye week would be best. Gives more time for the shitstorm and distractions to die down before next game.
If he survives the bye week then OH NOES.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^
but much like the Gibbons fiasco - somebody out there has got to be seeking out sources for what really happened on the sideline, and when specifically did they know -- and who knew -- Shane Morris had a probable concussion.
Since Brandon did his interviews, he has to have pissed off some people - or there are some people who know the truth and are uneasy with any mis-representations. When that information is discovered - then if anything Brady or Brandon said were direct lies, cause is established.
The difference between this and the Gibbons' story: we have Brandon and Hoke on the record and time stamped for an event we all witnessed.
I am just thinking Brian and Ace seemed pretty damned sure Morris had a concussion right after the game. They had a strong conviction and sense of moral outrage about what we were being told: like Morris had been diagnosed Saturday.
John Bacon also alludes additional information coming out on WTKA - I don't think this has fully played out yet. It is a chess match. Patience is required.
October 3rd, 2014 at 8:44 PM ^
...but it seems to me that Brandon's PR blunders have been bad enough to merit immediate action without having to wait for all the forensics of the events on the sideline after the probable concussion.
October 3rd, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^
I think there are at least a few people with access to the president that share your concern and will be sure to avail themselves to him, just as he will likely be seeking it. While the president may not be a sports guy, I'm sure he's a smart guy, and understands the gravity of the situation and the importance of making an informed decision. At least I really hope so!
October 3rd, 2014 at 8:43 PM ^
Schlissel seems to understand that he's not qualified to make a good decision -- which is refreshing. I'm sure he has the intelligence, political and administrative skills to identify those who can help him successfully navigate the process: whether it be the regents, or whoever. As long as one of his goals is cleaning house, it should go well. Put it this way, how could it end up any worse?
October 4th, 2014 at 8:58 AM ^
I think we all read too much into much into his comment about the mission of the University. He never said sports were neither important nor that he did not understand their importance. He also didn't say that they weren't important to him either personally or in his official capacity.
Now, he may be more of a baseball, polo or lacrosse guy than football, and he is surely new to this B1G business, but that doesn't mean he is just going to mail it in either.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^
+100
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:49 PM ^
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October 3rd, 2014 at 10:38 PM ^
The KFC Double Down. The Maryland-flag-uniformz sandwich of the fast-food world.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:30 PM ^
since the President's press release can't be making a good impression on the regents. Those are smart people who should be able to see right through that kind of stuff.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^
Are all accomplished professionals in their own right. I'm betting that they were reasonably impressed by Schlissel's statement. He can't back himself or others into a corner and didn't, but still made clear his extreme displeasure with the AD.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:34 PM ^
Assuming Brandon is fired this year, I wonder how easy it will be to un-do his policies, even if we have the most student-friendly, tradition-minded replacement AD.
October 3rd, 2014 at 7:06 PM ^
I imagine it wouldn't be hard to not play loud music pre game and during breaks and to eliminate the general admission policy.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:35 PM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:54 PM ^
Forget it.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:56 PM ^
+1000
October 3rd, 2014 at 6:13 PM ^
+ 1 free ticket to see a death spiral.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:42 PM ^
Dollars to donuts it's the two Republican members. Given that the Regents split 6-2 Democrat-Republican, it seems likely.
October 3rd, 2014 at 7:41 PM ^
can you imagine how good the country would be if we had a liberal president and senate? FYI, the vast majority of college coaches are conservatives, damn!
October 3rd, 2014 at 8:01 PM ^
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October 3rd, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^
2. look at the party that each represents.
3. count them up.
4. profit.
October 3rd, 2014 at 6:29 PM ^
I followed those steps . . . but my net worth is unchanged.
October 3rd, 2014 at 6:35 PM ^
Then, you didn't actually follow step 4, now did you?
October 3rd, 2014 at 8:54 PM ^
I feel there must be another step before it . . . a "mystery step" if you will.
October 3rd, 2014 at 7:03 PM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 6:28 PM ^