Mel Pearson has a new job title
Michigan Hockey is the latest to have their head coach job renamed as part of an endowed position.
Mel Pearson's job title has been quietly renamed the Graham Family Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach.
Other endowed positions at Michigan include-
- Warde Manuel, Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics
- Jim Harbaugh, J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach
- Josh Gattis, Sanford Robertson Offensive Coordinator
- Don Brown, Matthew and Nicole Lester Family Football Defensive Coordinator
- David and Meredith Kaplan Men's Head Basketball Coach (Juwan Howard)
Wonder if it's just a matter of time before every head coach at Michigan has an endowed position?
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:03 PM ^
What kind of coin does this take? One time or continuing donations?
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:11 PM ^
This is what I do for a living at another BIG school.
There is a minimum amount to endow a scholarship/head coaching position to initially create the fund. At my institution it’s $100K.. usually payable over 5 years. The fund is then invested with the university endowment and usually returns 4-5% (For my institution)... that percentage is used for the scholarship/coaching positions.
once the fund is created, people can continue to add funds to it as they please. It’s usually funded continually through family foundation, etc.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:12 PM ^
just a certain kind of arrogance
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:20 PM ^
This guy gets it
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:43 PM ^
Yeah it takes a special mother fucker to give away a ton of money. What an ass.
September 2nd, 2020 at 11:10 PM ^
I have never gotten the desire to put your name on something though. I mean good on them for giving the money, though I assume there’s a tax break associated with it so it’s not totally altruistic. But beyond that, if I had that kinda dough: (1) paying the salary of a head coach as a college is not what I am putting my money towards, especially with so many other problems in the world and country and (2) like I said, I have never gotten the infatuation with naming things — anything — after donors. As a donor, I would not want that. It just seems tacky to me. But what do I know?
September 3rd, 2020 at 1:08 AM ^
It would just be nice for that to be a problem.
Hmm. With all this money, do I put my name on a building or a coach's business card? So hard to decide.
September 3rd, 2020 at 1:50 AM ^
I've never agreed with naming buildings, bridges, roads, etc. after people, especially career politicians who were only doing the job they were being paid (quite handsomely, above table or not) to do. But if a person donates big cash, well, maybe.
September 3rd, 2020 at 1:12 PM ^
When the public purse is involved, nothing should be named after a living person or people.
I’d even go for having to wait 20 years after their death, with an exception for tragic/heroic deaths.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:10 PM ^
I think you know this is a rhetorical question. If the Athletic Department can get cash they will name every single position that they can.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:14 PM ^
The RGard Toilet Sanitary Technician for Football Facilities. I like the sound of that.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:22 PM ^
I actually DO like the sound of that. RGard sounds like those mats they use to replace urinal cakes
September 2nd, 2020 at 11:39 PM ^
"The Revolutionary New RGard Urinal Mat: PeeGuard Technology taken to a Hole New Level!"
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:22 AM ^
Talked with my marketing folks. They like it too, but we're going to go with PeeGard, Finance is cutting you a check.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:22 AM ^
Sorry, yet another double post. It's an old person thing.
September 3rd, 2020 at 7:38 AM ^
This, along with the RGard comment succeeding this, put a smile on my face first thing in the morning. Love it!
September 3rd, 2020 at 7:42 AM ^
Thanks!
September 3rd, 2020 at 2:34 PM ^
I grew up in Lansing. When I’d go back to visit in the late 90s, a number bars around town used Tico Duckett Distributing for their janitorial supplies. Tico has the name prominently displayed on the plastic urinal cake holders. I guess it was good advertising as I would have never known Tico was in that business, but drunk 20-something me did find it amusing pissing on “TICO”.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:16 PM ^
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:22 PM ^
Shouldn’t it be “its” since he’s referring to the U or the AD or the Hockey program?
also lighten up Francis
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:22 PM ^
Michigan is a "they"....and it's "their" head coach. "Its" would obviously apropos. Dumb post that doesn't make much sense.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:23 PM ^
I believe you're talking about the first sentence in the post in which "Michigan" is renaming their ice hockey coach position. In that case, "their" is perfectly acceptable as WD is referring to the program as a whole, not Mel Pearson specifically.
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:27 PM ^
But is he 40 years old?
September 2nd, 2020 at 11:12 PM ^
Please get a new routine, fauxAussie.
I'm finding it harder and harder to avoid issuing you a Bolivian vacation.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:21 PM ^
I get that these rich folk like to see their names on things for their donations. I just wish their name would go somewhere that didn't force us to hear stupid things like "Well guys we're here with the David and Meredith Kaplan Men's Head Basketball Coach, Juwan Howard"
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:34 PM ^
The only time I've ever heard it mentioned verbally is during MGoBlue.com content.
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:46 PM ^
This. No one actually calls it that in plain speak, on TV broadcasts, etc. Honestly, the only people who even know about it are all on this blog. Shouldn't we be happy we have alumni who want to give a ton of money? We all want to be competitive, we all want the best coaches, the best facilities, etc. Yet we complain about alumni donating money and wanting something named after them for their generosity? I don't understand that.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:41 AM ^
I think it's generally the same for me though I think I've heard Michigan administrators say it for press conferences. I bet the Kaplans are real stoked that their name gets heard all the time so everyone knows how cool and philanthropic they are, but it's dumb
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:38 PM ^
If there is a 100 Million dollar short fall for no football this year . They will be looking to get money for naming rights to just about anything they can .
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:42 PM ^
Michigan will never sell stadium naming rights but I can definitely see ads creeping their way into The Big House. They're already around the concourse.
September 2nd, 2020 at 10:58 PM ^
I learned the hard way never say never.
September 3rd, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
I’ll pull the plug on my monthly donations including season tickets so fast it’ll make their heads spin.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:45 PM ^
If I win the lottery, I'm gonna give enough money to have my name be part of a coaching title.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:46 PM ^
Eric Bakich, ThePonyConquerer Head Baseball Coach.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:56 PM ^
If only we had an equestrian team.
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:56 PM ^
If Michigan's smart and can arrange it, sure. A "Named" position, academic or athletic, is more money to support the University's missions.
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:24 PM ^
It’s kind of weird to talk about what coaches are well endowed. But I’m old school.
September 3rd, 2020 at 8:40 AM ^
Oh yeah.... the old "my coach is more well endowed than your coach" taunt..
September 2nd, 2020 at 10:07 PM ^
I "donated" my PSC this year. Can I get the waterboy named after me?
September 3rd, 2020 at 2:07 AM ^
Hmmmm. He's still the hockey coach, eh