StephenRKass

December 1st, 2011 at 6:51 AM ^

I'd even say I like him, but then again, I don't really know him.

However, I"d like to sum up my take on some of the points made above.

  1. Was DB duplicitous and dishonest? I don't know exactly how to either fathom this, or to answer this. What I will say is that during "the process," there were things that needed to stay confidential, and which DB was not obligated to share publicly. (Where he was flying, who he was interviewing, reasons he didn't want to go in one direction or another.) Perhaps the most honest answer DB could have given to a bunch of relevant questions was "it's none of your business, and I'm not telling you." But that would have been rude and dissatisfying too. I'd like to hear what you'd say when asked a direct question to which you didn't want or need to give the actual answer.
  2. Well what abou Les Miles and Jim Harbaugh? You won't give this up, will you? I wonder if some of the rumors about Miles were true, and if DB simply wasn't going to hire him, but didn't want to put anything out there for public consumption. Let's be blunt, shall we? If Miles really did have an affair or fling with Moeller's wife, first of all, there are issues of honesty and integrity and respect for your colleagues, on the team, for God's sake. Second, while Miles could move on at LSU, the dynamics would have made it impossible at Michigan. Regarding Harbaugh, Jim may have burned too many bridges (think: Michigan and academics and really long threads here at mgoblog.) Harbaugh also might been too arrogant and abrasive. And again, what purpose would have been served for DB to acknowledge this publicly?
  3. What about Rawk Music? We have too many crabby old men who keep on shouting their version of "get off my lawn!" I'm 52. I will sit most games if given a chance. I don't care that much for "Sweet Caroline" or local Independent rawk bands putting out hype songs. But here's the thing. Marching bands will continue, but they are anachronistic in a way, as much as purists hate to acknowledge it. Even if missteps are made, I think Michigan HAS to do something with piped in music or rawk music. And I think that when there is a clear miscalculation on music that is used, well, you do something different. The reality is that you will NEVER please everyone with musical selections.
  4. What about Mascots? We've done well without a Mascot. I don't want one. But I think it is fine that DB is exploring different things. My guess is that so many crabby old men have spoken that it won't happen. I'd love to have a caged live wolverine, but the PETA people and tree huggers would have an absolute cow. That ain't gonna happen, especially in PC Ann Arbor.
  5. What about scheduling of future games? Again, you're never going to make everyone happy. But I absolutely love that we're playing Alabama. I don't see a home and home happening, unless one of the networks pumps so much money in that it becomes economically feasible. And I'm glad we're playing Appy State. Sure, they're "beneath us," but give them their due. They beat Michigan. If they want to sign up again, I say, go for it! Let me ask you this:  how many Division 1 teams could play a D 2 team and still have national network coverage even being considered? The hype and interest in this game are a marketing man's dream!

I really liked RR. I wanted him to have another chance. But not only has Hoke done more, I actually think he is a better fit for Michigan. It isn't the coaching choice I would have made. In other words, I would have made the wrong choice. And I give DB all the credit (and a bit of dumb luck) for making the right choice.

treetown

December 1st, 2011 at 9:37 AM ^

The new athletic director was brought with several specific goals in mind: getting football back on track, maintaining and ideally expanding support of the UM in general via athletics, and finally making sure the costly stadium improvements will be paid for. Remember that after the new stadium was built we were in the beginning of the economic downturn and about 25% of the pricey suites were not leased out. The big companies in SE Michigan in the auto business and related industries simply weren’t in any position to publically lease out suites.

I like your first paragraph where you address this duplicity issue and would like to expand on it. David Brandon clearly is pretty good at the PR side of the job but he can’t please everyone. He was brought in part because of this expertise and his understanding about how to produce a product and manage a brand which caters to a mass audience. The public has and deserves some expectations of transparency but a lot of dealings cannot be conducted in public. To expect anyone in higher administration to tell anybody and everybody what is happening is simply unrealistic. The people who demand that degree of openness aren’t living in this world or any real practical world. Businesses of all sorts are conducted that way every day. I’m not hiding behind the “everybody does it” excuse. No one is actively tricking or scamming someone. All of the parties involved in the coaching firing and hiring are adults.

It is just the reality that until something is firmly agreed upon, it isn’t anyone’s business. For example, at this moment there are probably a lot of different vendors bidding for contracts with the UM to supply services and goods at the stadium or to license products. None of those firms want to have their discussions aired publically until a contract is signed. As the AD, Brandon’s duty is not to reveal financial or other aspects which could affect Michigan’s position in these negotiations. I know many people still yearn for some messianic Papa Smurf father figure character who reputedly never tells a lie and whose judgment is unerring and full of pithy wisdom, but as we’ve seen in a lot of the sports scandals of 2011, that sort of being exists only in fiction.

It is pretty funny to me to look back on music which was once deemed scandalous and revolutionary. Look up on Youtube the performances of the early rock and roll bands of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Their hair considered horribly long, would today be pretty much mainstream. Many wore suits and ties for gosh sakes and not in an ironic retro hipster way. Like you I’m on the far side of 50 and hope to live long enough to see what comes after rap music. I hope to witness the young people of today grow up to grouse and yell at their kids who are listening to the latest music trend, and tell them about “real music like Tupac and P Diddy.” I will be coughing up a lung with laughter.

Coach Rodriguez seems like a good guy. He is probably a terrific after dinner speaker and probably a good guy to hang out with and shoot the breeze. He just didn’t work out here due to many possible reasons. The most of important of which is that he didn’t win enough games. The other things (NCAA investigation – bogus or not, not chumming up to the alumni groups, rough patches with the central administration) did all contribute but not winning enough finished him. If he were winning 9-10 games per year those other factors would have been largely forgiven and sanded smooth. He has another chance and I hope he does well. It will be interesting to see if both on and off the field he carries the lessons from his Ann Arbor days.

Football is a zero sum game. For every game won, some team had to lose. For every 10-2 coach there are coaches who cumulatively have lost 10 games. Coach Hoke and his staff did very well but remember in the future, if and when they hit a bad patch and end up with a less than stellar season, they are fundamentally the same nice people they are today.

Go Blue!

burtcomma

December 1st, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^

The real story behind Miles and Harbaugh will come out in time as the information slowly leaks out over the next few years.  Seems that Harbaugh got an offer in the NFL that he could not refuse (and seems he fits pretty well there, given his team's first year record at 9-2 right now and his likely coach of the year honors coming next) and that Les Miles (currently 12-0 and headed for BCS championship game) is very happy where he is and likely had enough sense to stay there.

Section 1

December 1st, 2011 at 7:38 AM ^

But how does Brandon explain page 429 of Three and Out?

When Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News asked Ryan Van Bergen how it felt to see hundreds of alums returning to support the new coach [Hoke], he said, "You know, it's just kind of unsettling... It's great that they're back, but it's kind of, where have they been the last two or three years?  We've still been wearing the same helmets since they were here."

Van Bergen would be reprimanded for his comment. 

Section 1

December 1st, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^

I'm not saying that I have all the answers, or that there is only one way to interpret the story.  All that I suggested was that the Daily reporter should have asked Brandon the question.  How hard is that?  Just ask the question.

blue in dc

December 1st, 2011 at 9:40 AM ^

Why is it that Bacon's book is considered the whole story when it is so obviously not? How do any of us know what the substance of this "reprimand" was? Let me throw out two possible scenarios:
<br>
<br>1. Someone (Hoke, Brandon) comes to Van Bergen and says - look, Ryan, we understand your frustration with things that have happened over the last three years, but talking about it in the press really doesn't help us get past them. This could be called a reprimand, but personally, I'd have no problem with that happening.
<br>
<br>2. Brandon comes down and screams at, Van Bergen - you will never say anything like that to the press again - also a reprimand and this one I'd have huge problems with.
<br>
<br>I don't see why I need to assume the reprimand was closer to scenario 2 to scenaro 1?

LB

December 1st, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^

fact that it comprises one entire sentence, I suspect the wording was Bacon's. 

Let me ponder this for a moment.

I reprimand a senior-to-be, an acknowledged team leader, for speaking the truth. To compound that, his roommate is yet another senior-to-be, another acknowledged team leader and the most fiery guy on the team. Knowing that one, the other, or both will have a chance at the NFL and the forum that provides, I press on.

In addition, I do it in response to something that happened during an interview with a well-known and well-respected sports journalist.

Yeah, if that happened, there is a nice article yet to be written.

blue in dc

December 1st, 2011 at 11:32 AM ^

My point was - reprimand could cover a wide range, in my mond some of it reasonable - hey, as a team leader, can you help us as we try to solve this moving forward - mentioning it in the press isn't helpful. What would be the problem with such a conversation? On the other hand, if there was more admonishment probably not a good thing. From the sentence, I have no idea. From all of Van Bergen's subsequent actions, it doesn't seem like it was that big a deal.
<br>
<br>Bacon also passed along the, Carr doesn't make players go to class during rivalry week with no attribution and people have refuted that.
<br>
<br>Just because Bacon chose to write abou it in one way, doesn't mean that is how it happened

LB

December 1st, 2011 at 2:01 PM ^

I was/am agreeing with you. As you stated, "reprimand" can cover a large range. I was suggesting that Bacon chose the word. Beyond that, I was just thinking out loud - it isn't a battle I would have joined with what I would consider a reprimand to to represent. Your scenario is far more likely, to my way of thinking.

UMich87

December 1st, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^

and just read this story.  What bothered me more was Brandon saying that he has an open door policy for all of the players but dodged Denard for weeks and Denard's numerous requests for a meeting, including in Florida for the Gator Bowl.  I was impressed by Denard's questions to Brandon at the meeting when DB announced to the team that RR was fired.  But it was clear to me that he never got his face-to-face with Brandon from the questions he asked.

It is just another instance of Brandon's actions not matching his words.  It appears that DB will be a very successful AD, and maybe BS is just part of the job

swamyblue

December 1st, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^

...describing DB.  The other part of the equation is the Carr-tel.  Let's not kid ourselves, the Carr-tel does reign at Fort Schem. and will continue to do so until someone else's regime has a better run!

We're off to a great start with this seasons record of 10-2 which includes the victory against Ohio. Here's to a new era with Brady Hoke at the helm. Onward!

Tater

December 1st, 2011 at 8:03 AM ^

Not the OP, the article.  I made it through the first page, but it's just more of the same from Brandon.  Brandon is a reptile, and everything he says and does is to further his main agenda: self-aggrandizement.  Sadly, the reporter is doing the opposite of Daily tradition: he is kissing Brandon's bleep.  

David Brandon should try to act more like Brady Hoke.  He could learn a lot from Hoke about humility and deflection of credit.

Gorgeous Borges

December 1st, 2011 at 2:58 PM ^

What the hell more do you want from David Brandon? Rich Rod had more than enough chances to win, but he couldn't, so David Brandon hired a coach who evidently can. David Brandon also created Under the Lights, which was awesome.

It sounds like you'd hate David Brandon even if (perhaps especially if) Hoke won a national championship. It sounds like you just don't like the guy personally, which is your right, but it's undeniable that the results he's produced as an athletic director have been great.

Honestly, what is your problem, man? What do you want David Brandon to do?

nowayguy

December 1st, 2011 at 8:04 AM ^

Regardless of the book. What about the fact that a former player (Michael Taylor, I think) called in and told Sam Webb that some former players were not able to get single game tickets for free. That's an easy reason to hate Dave Brandon.

Two Hearted Ale

December 1st, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^

Your amazing powers of persuasion and wit have convinced me that you speak the truth. You must have been on the debate team.

Out of context Dave Brandon quote for comedic affect...

"... our eyes met and pretty soon we went, ‘Yeah, it’s time.’ And I just want you to know, I’m just worried I’m going to hurt him.

I’ve got to be careful I don’t hurt him. (laughs)"

burtcomma

December 1st, 2011 at 8:44 AM ^

You guys would marry a movie star like Scarlett Johansson (tasteful picture included for illustrative purposes)

 

who was wealthy beyond all your dreams and complain that she can't cook.  Hoke is who he is, and Brandon is who he is.  One is a pretty damn good football coach, the other appears to be a pretty damn decent AD.  If you want perfection, be aware that in its pursuit you will likely toss out a lot of good to great and never find it.

 

Webber's Pimp

December 1st, 2011 at 8:54 AM ^

As far as I am concerned Dave Brandon and Brady Hoke have saved this program. Allot of people at nit picking here just as they did when Lloyd was the coach. Be acereful what you wish for...

SHEAR WIZARDRY

December 1st, 2011 at 9:05 AM ^

If you're upset with David Brandon then you need to find another team to root for. 10 wins, coach of the year, Mattison a finalist for assistant of the year, larger louder stadium, what else do your bland asses want? Im so sick of this. All DB wants is for us to have the same competitive edge that other top notch programs have. To appeal to that 16, 17 year old kid that may want to go to Michigan to play football. If thats abusing your power and ruining traditions then you really want us to not win in the fall. Get off of the Pizza man and get on yourself for how shallow you really are. Get Bent - GO BLUE!!!

notYOURmom

December 1st, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^

Come on, really? Your reasoning is
<br>
<br>Brady Hoke is a good coach --- therefore -- piped music is good?
<br>
<br>If DB makes good decisions (eg Hoke), he is a good AD.
<br>If DB is a good AD, his decisions are good.
<br>
<br>You have these two conflated.
<br>
<br>

yeahrice

December 1st, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^

I absolutely love the way Brandon handles interviews, press conferences, ect. He seems to have complete control over the direction of said media relations, which is vitally important for an AD. Do I believe everything he says? Absolutely not, but I do not expect him to be honest with the public. IMO he does not have to be straightforward with everything. At Dominos, he was not always straightforward honest either, but it did not bother me because I didn't expect him to be straightforward. Overall, I think Brandon knows how to work people, and he does a damn good job at it. I love him for that, but I would probably not trust him for a minute. 

Cool Story Bro moment. I ran into Brandon at the Purdue game and asked him to show me his pimp hand. He laughed and walked away. About ten seconds later he turned around and did a backhand pimp-slap moment. One of the funniest things I have see a grown man do - cool story over.

burtcomma

December 1st, 2011 at 10:26 AM ^

Have different functions and deal with different things.  Real question is how they work together as a team.  Seems this AD and this head coach are in sync.  Good to see Brandon has a sense of humor, and understands that being an AD does not have to make one a stuffed shirt.

As far as music choices and other things, I bet that those choices are made for the students and the players and future recruits, not for old farts like me (53).  That's ok, took my son (Miami of Ohio 2011 graduate) to the game against OSU, and he remarked how much better the stadium and atmosphere was compared to his memories of the 1997 season (Iowa and OSU games we attended).  That's our target market, not us old guys who will grouch but buy tickets anyway!

 

M-Dog

December 1st, 2011 at 11:40 AM ^

My suspicions of Dave Brandon were not from the coaching search, although I believe that he already knew who he wanted and the "process" was just to blow smoke up our ass.  So what, turns out that he made a good pick.

Where Dave Brandon lost me was on the whole moving the Ohio State game thing.  Where was our AD speaking up on our behalf against trashing one of the very things that defines us?  

It turns out that instead of speaking out against it, he was willing to be one of the mouthpieces speaking out for it.  There was money to be made in a B1G conference championship game, and we couldn't have somethig so trivial as the Michigan-Ohio State game overshadowing it with a possible back-to-back repeat game.

It wasn't until the collective outrage of the Michigan community cut through the marketing haze that he and the B1G backed off.

I just don't trust his Michigan compass.  He's going to fire that 'ole Marketing Cannon at everything that moves.  Sometimes he'll score big hits - UTL, Big House Hockey, Scoreboards - sometimes he'll miss and blow up his own guys - Mascots, Uniformz, Horror II, Build me up Buttercup.

Everytime he does something, I cross my fingers.  I don't know what I'll get, but I know it will be interesting.

 

jmblue

December 1st, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^

I listened to Brandon last summer, and he stated that he was not in favor of moving the Game; the idea had come from the league office.  The leak came from our end and served its purpose: the fans were up in arms, and the league backtracked. 

 As for the mascot thing, that was his idea, but he retracted it when the trial ballon was unpopular.  What's wrong with that?  He listened to the fanbase. 

As for the uniforms and music, a lot of fans would disagree that they "backfired" on us.  The UTL jerseys were monster sellers.  The music, as much as people bitch about, seems to serve its purpose of getting the fans fired up.  I don't personally care for Journey or Neil Diamond but when tens of thousands of people are singing along to their songs every time they're played, I think I'm outvoted.

 

Needs

December 1st, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^

Yeah, there's no doubt that the songs "work" in that the crowd really responds to them. The girls next to me on the way into the stadium last weekend were singing "Build Me Up Buttercup," before the game. Do I wish we could choose songs that were "organic" to Michigan if we're going to have piped in music rather than stealing ideas from Penn State, Wisconsin, and the Red Sox? Absolutely. But it's much easier just to borrow from someone else.  Easy feels cheap to me, but obviously the majority of the crowd participates in the songs. 

At least we haven't started playing "Zombie Nation" or "Jump Around." That's the moment we become Clear Channel.

M-Wolverine

December 1st, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^

I don't think they need changing.  But how many people at games and such do you see wearing the UTL jersey?  I see a lot. So there was a market for them, even if it wasn't me.

And I hear "the band can play Neil Diamond", but without the lyrics, and sound, when they do, no one is singing along. When they play the track on the loudspeakers, people do.  "Sweet Caroline" might not be my jam, but there is a difference.

But then if you had told me 3 months ago  I'd be rocking to "Dynamite" by some dude named Taio Cruz because it encapsulated the joy of one of the greatest athletic occurences of my life, I'd have probably thought you were crazy.

And I'm sorry, but "Build Me Up Buttercup" will always be ok with me...