The pros and cons of Dave Brandon
A new post about Yost possibly being renovated got me thinking, while you could argue that DB's corporate attitude has harmed the program (jerseyz, for example), he has undoubtedly also helped it (renovations and new scoreboards in all 3 major venues).
So my question is: who would you prefer; a corporate type like DB who improves facilities, stadiums, etc while "selling out" some of UM's tradition, OR a more traditional AD who may not bring a lot of improvements to UM's sports programs, but also doesn't mess with UM's tradition, etc.
I hate false dichotomies. We were due for renovations, and there's no reason we can't have nice things to go with tradition. I'm ok with the night james and jerseyz, but not crazy about his corporate CEO/politician speak (aka lying) during the firing/hiring process and most upset about Special K (rather than finding a way for the band to be louder). Hopefully the unchecked agression of the latter will not stand.
But that's coming close to what no one wants the thread to deteriorate into. As for the music, you realize it started before Brandon? And Brandon was the one who initiated it being possible to mic the band, right?
Ok, perhaps I went too far with the "lying" bit...it's hard to know what actually happened behind closed doors. I guess what I meant was that I didn't like how he handled the process, but you're right, I didn't mean for the thread to deteriorate into Brandon bashing. As for the music, no, I didn't realize Special K started before Brandon. My impression was that Brian and others started complaining about the music, and I started noticing it in the Brandon era. Perhaps I stand corrected.
Recorded music started during the 09 season if I remember correctly.
Ummmmmm they aren't the same jersey. Similar, yes. To the extent to call someone a liar for saying they are not the final version? No.
And even if he did "lie" about the final jersey, why is that so bothersome?
I thought (from your previous post) that you were referring to the hiring/firing process. And I pretty much agreed with those who were worried that this thread was going to deteriorate to a "Rich Rod SHOULD have been fired/NO, he wasn't given a fair chance" thing, and I didn't want to get into that. Brandon is fair game for some criticism, he hasn't been perfect, by any stretch.
I think Brian complained from day 1, but yeah, the piped in music started Rich's second year. Not that I'm blaming Rich, though I remember he wanted to create a more festive atmosphere. But it was also the time marketing was trying new things, some good (like the Victors Walk), and others not so good (the music), and who knows what Martin was doing. It seems like a typical committee screw up. There were calls for mic'ing the band if they couldn't be heard, but it was against Big Ten Regulations. Brandon actually was the one who pointed out to the Big Ten "isn't this kinda silly?" and got it repealed. Now, you can debate the merit of whether it sounds off, and a band positioned to be louder would be better...but under his term the music got less and the band got louder...so at least THAT I can't blame on him.
But you can blame Brandon for not axing the piped in music.
He and many other out-of-touch types think that the "young people" like the music because they sing to Seven Nation Army and Lose Yourself. The fact is the drunk mob that is the student section will get into the band just as much as the canned crap they play.
In fact we get into the band way more than we get into what's played with maybe only the above two exceptions.
Play Blues Brothers. Make that our "Jump Around" (which is what they did last year--- GREAT new tradition). Don't play Journey or Bob Seger and Let the Bodies Hit the floor. Let the band play their version of these songs.
Not because you're wrong...you're right. But because it made me think...has there ever been a cooler Michigan music moment (excitement wise, maybe not touching wise) than when the band at the Big Chill played the "endless" Blue Brothers during the break? Tell me THAT can't get a crowd going. That was awesome.
jury alread reached a verdict?
You have got to be kidding if all you can point to are the jerseys. It's unbelievable to me how some people are blowing this so out of proportion. So far they seem to be a hit with players and recruits. It would be easy to argue it was a good idea, quite apart from the added revenue they'll bring in.
old stadium for sure!
but wait until they have the HD scoreboards installed.
PRO: PIMP HAND
Just you haven't realized it, Michigan is a HUGE CORPORATION. I have been to a mall in San Diego and they have an excellent selection of Michigan stuff. DB has not sold out this glorious university, he has simply continued to promote our proud tradition.
Additionally, everyone on this blog might agree that DB has the universities best interests at heart.
Brandon really turned me off with "the process". Regardless of outcome, the whole thing seemed amateurish and I didn't like how arrogant he sounded to me. Obviously this is just my opinion, I'm sure others either liked or were ambivalent to the whole thing.
Beyond that, I do think he has the best interests of the AD at heart and I also know that he'll make it rain financially, so I think it's one of those positions where I'm definitely not an ardent admirer, but OTOH can say he's probably the best guy for the job.
like the size of a very rich, successful, alpha male businessman like DB.
And then you got to pick the head coach of your alma mater's football team. Your alma mater happens to be the most winningest program in its sport.
Shit, if I was Brandon I would not have been able to be as smooth as he was.
Bringing aging arenas into the modern era is a good thing. Yost is very old, and was not even originally intended to be used for hockey. Upgrades are neccassary and not always a bad thing. I remember when the players used to walk through the lobby to get to the locker rooms (which was awesome), but the last renovation they did really turned out great. Don't get so mired down in tradition, because something old and familiar isn't always great.
DB stands in BOTH worlds described in the initial post - he is a"corporate" guy, but he played for Bo as well. He gets it, and he has the savvy to make at least most of it reality, it seems.
Pro: Dominoes hot wings best mass produced hot wings in the history of mankind.
Con: Knows Mary Sue Coleman and hasn't punched her in the face.
Better than BWW?
Better than BWW?
Have the people that are complaining already forgotten about how Brandon essentially pimp-handed his way through the BS that would have moved The Game from the last game of the season? Forgive me if I could give a crap about some stripes on a jersey as long as the big stuff like that is taken care of correctly.
Win the right way. Keep the traditions that matter. Make a ton of money so we can see that 125,000 seat Big House he mentioned during the DC Q&A.
Sure, he might be a little full of himself, but I don't have to hang out with him, I just have to sit in his gorgeous renovated venues every once in a while.
I would be extremely surprised if he wasn't who floated the possibility in the first place to the press.
He did do a good job manipulating the new B1G Schedule and the media.
Let's also not forget that Brandon did an EXCELLENT job with our NCAA Violations, hearings, etc. He helped fight for RR not to get a "failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance" and won that, he reduced our penalties, and he backhanded the Freep.
I'm not sure how I feel about a lot of things he's doing, but those things are really small-picture. Big picture he's done a great job all ready
While he's currently prevented The Game from being moved, remember that they only are leaving it there for the next two years. You can bet before long we'll be having this argument again. The Big Ten does NOT want M-OSU two weeks in a row. Brandon is going to have to put up quite the fight to prevent us playing OSU in October in the very near future.
I have no problem with what he's done so far. I thought RR deserved another year, but he pulled the trigger on that experiment (and it was an experiment). It's basically a corporate enterprise, and although I don't like the corporate reach into every every cell-level aspect of American life, he's doing what he does. . . very well. Among other things, I really think the bball program is gonna take a quantum leap, which makes me happy. He's also allowed to be a little bit snippy with the press every now and then--just means he's got a personality and a life. Better than some idiot sucking up to them.
At today's Boston Alum's meet & greet DB spoke movingly and convincingly about playing for Bo. He gets it - big time. He has brought about improvements in Yost and Crisler. At the Boston meet & greet he said that Bo felt you only got better or you got worse. You had had to make a conscious decision one way or the other. His commitment and demand from the coaches is that they commit to getting better . How can you argue with that?
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Brandon seems to be a combination of the two. The only downside I see in him is that he seems like a dick and is snake-like in his actions and words like a politician. Other than that, I'm happy with the upgrades to the facilities as well as keeping the traditional feel of the programs.
I am so tired of people pulling the tradition card on these jerseys. Educate yourself. This jersey is a tribute to the tradition. It takes parts from many past jerseys to pay tribute to the programs past. Before you spew tradition crap get educated on the program.
Something inspired by the tradition of Michigan football is a great concept that can be executed well, or executed poorly.
Most who are "educated" on the program know that a tradition predating World War I is that UM has worn a solid blue jersey at home games. If you visit the historical uniform display at Schembechler Hall, or peruse the Bentley photos, that much will be apparent.
True, they sometimes wore striped sweaters in the early days, but for about the last 100 years, it's been solid blue. So it's not lack of education that might prompt a person to state that a tradition going back at least to the days of playing football at Ferry Field is a solid tradition worth maintaining.
My problem with these jerseys isn't that they're different. I'm fine with that. It's that they're not very artfully designed. They're actually kind of "neither historical nor good looking."
However, the players like them, so who cares, and hopefully we'll see a good football game.
"A tribute to the tradition"
Kinda like a Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence
for a personal attack? I doubt it. Try talking to him face-to-face before you start calling him names. Actually, I take that back. There really is no excuse for name calling.
Grades:
Doing a lot of stuff: A
Integrity: F
Decision-making: I
Brandon never allowed the RR "era" to finish itself, and the Brady Hoke era has just started. So, we won't really know the consequences of his decision-making until long after he has quit and run for public office. Thus, he would have to be graded at "incomplete" on his handling of the football program.
In his favor, everyone is pulling in the same direction again. To his detriment, he has pretty much guaranteed that Michigan won't be able to go outside of the program for an elite coach in the foreseeable future. It is no accident that none of the "big boys" in the coaching profession were interested in the position during the coaching search. No "outsiders" got serious interviews, except for maybe Greg Schiano.
David Brandon has turned Michigan's potential coaching pool into an eye-dropper. So, it all boils down to whether or not Brady Hoke succeeds. I detest Brandon, but I really hope the Hoke hire turns out well. If it doesn't, we are screwed for the next decade. If it does turn out well, Michigan may be able to take advantage of a great situation for the next five or ten years.
Recruiting has been great so far, but I have never been so uncertain about Michigan's chances as I am now. Considering that I now have over 50 years of being a fan, that's a lot of "never."
Methinks the Rodriguez era was able to finish itself on New Year's.
if you aren't enjoying the ride, get off the freakin' bus.
I say we're in a corporate era of sports and he's a corporate guy, doing what he can to boost the brand--you are very right that if Hoke fails then Michigan is dead in the water. And Brandon is going to be very invested in this guy, sink or swim with him. You'd like to think that M is just kind of a juggernaut, get the right elements in place and we cannot lose. But I'm not sure that's the case.
Anyway, let's all enjoy the ride. . . a little.
I prefer Wizard of Oz type ADs who pull invisible levers from behind a screen. Unfortunately Brandon seems to think he's Dorothy. Dude needs to fade into the background and let Hoke be the face/voice of the program.
I think we need more time for a full evaluation of DB.
I love the fact that he could be making much mo money doing other things. He takes less money for his work because he loves M. FInd a suckeye at that "other school" that does that - bam!
I understand your point of view, I think. Brandon does seem comfortable in the spotlight, so comfortable that one begins to wonder if he's got politics in his future, and it can be a little off-putting.
But, two things: first, Brandon's a canny guy who seems to have a knack for landing on his feet. I think that's a good quality in the AD, much better than having someone who can't put a foot right (Smith).
And speaking of Smith, maybe we should be cautious about wanting the coach to be the be-all and end-all of the whole university, given what we're seeing down in Ohio.
Oh, wait. Yeah, not really worried about that here. Well, anyway, I think once Hoke's winning championships on a regular basis and grinding TSIO back into dust (please may it be so) Brandon will fade right back into the background and we'll all go on our merry way. His current prominence may be more circumstantial than a grab for the limelight.
Grades:
Doing a lot of stuff: A
Integrity: F
Decision-making: I
Brandon never allowed the RR "era" to finish itself, and the Brady Hoke era has just started. So, we won't really know the consequences of his decision-making until long after he has quit and run for public office. Thus, he would have to be graded at "incomplete" on his handling of the football program.
In his favor, everyone is pulling in the same direction again. To his detriment, he has pretty much guaranteed that Michigan won't be able to go outside of the program for an elite coach in the foreseeable future. It is no accident that none of the "big boys" in the coaching profession were interested in the position during the coaching search. No "outsiders" got serious interviews, except for maybe Greg Schiano.
David Brandon has turned Michigan's potential coaching pool into an eye-dropper. So, it all boils down to whether or not Brady Hoke succeeds. I detest Brandon, but I really hope the Hoke hire turns out well. If it doesn't, we are screwed for the next decade. If it does turn out well, Michigan may be able to take advantage of a great situation for the next five or ten years.
Recruiting has been great so far, but I have never been so uncertain about Michigan's chances as I am now. Considering that I now have over 50 years of being a fan, that's a lot of "never."
I didn't like how he sat in with the coaching staff on Sundays to go over game tape. You know they didn't want him there. He took advantage of his position. I hope Hoke stands up to him on that. A little too happy to be interviewed too in my opinion. All of this just has a Jerry Jones vibe to it.
Too happy to be interviewed? I'd much, much rather know the face and voice of my athletic director than have a ghost like Bill Martin.
Also, Jerry Jones is a dick. Dave Brandon is not a dick.