OT: What else can Hackett do as AD?

Submitted by Boner Stabone on

I was thinking that everything Jim Hackett has done since taking the job is just unbelievable.  He has done just about everything we fans, students, and alumni have wanted and needed. Is there anything else he can do while he is at the healm?

The only thing I could think of was maybe find a way to bring back Michigan Replay, although maybe that might be something that is  out of his power.

LSA Aught One

July 28th, 2015 at 11:18 PM ^

Yes. He can make some calls to get this Brady thing handled. Then he can get Blimpy returned to its rightful place. Finally, he can go buy Lewan's twosie back from the bike shop and ride off into the sunset with one middle finger pointed at East Lansing and the other at Columbus.



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Wolverine Devotee

July 28th, 2015 at 11:21 PM ^

Michigan Replay is going to be back. Everything but the actual name and theme song is coming back.

It's going to be airing on Sundays at 10am on WXYZ Detroit aka Channel 7. 

Hackett only being in the spotlight when an announcement is to be made is how ADs should be. Glad we're back to having that. 

Hopefully one of his projects is getting the B1G scheduling bullshit fixed. Both rivalry games on the road in even-numbered years is exactly that: bullshit. 

tbeindit

July 29th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^

Brandon certainly needed to go, but I'm still lost on why he is solely credited for this. It was a Big Ten scheduling decision. Were they supposed to threaten to leave the conference or something? The only arguments to me that hold any weight on this is that he voted for the conference expansion and even then, it's a long line of events, decisions, and facts to even connect those dots.

WichitanWolverine

July 29th, 2015 at 2:26 AM ^

Sorry WD, I am hijacking this comment because I want some feedback. Here's my 2 cents: Hackett has done everything right, but he's made the logical choice in everything he's done. Anyone that has read mgoblog for 72 hours would do the same. Harbaugh, Nike, Legends jerseys...It's all just restoring tradition. After Dave Brandon came through like a bull in a China shop, it's pretty easy to restore things. Just go back to the things we did when we were elite and hire the hottest coach in America (who was dying to come home if it weren't for DB) and you become the Jesus of Ann Arbor pretty quickly. That said, I wouldn't trade Hackett for anything because HE GETS IT. Dave Brandon obviously didn't. Common sense and people skills go a long way when you're on the top rung.

Blue Indy

July 29th, 2015 at 9:28 AM ^

It's a lot more than just common sense or "getting it," though. He not only knew WHAT to do, but HOW to pull it off. A lot of us would have made Harbaugh our number one target as AD... Hackett had the ability to get him. Many of us would have wanted Nike... Hackett negotiated the biggest apparel and merchandising contract in history. Yes, one of his best traits is listening to the voice of the Michigan family, but he's also a shrewd businessman.

Ronnie Kaye

July 29th, 2015 at 9:58 AM ^

We don't really know the details of those negotiations, just the end results. Not trying to discredit Hackett at all; he's going to leave smelling like a rose. But if we had more info on what did or didn't require arm-twisting, we'd have a better idea of his value.

Mr Miggle

July 29th, 2015 at 10:34 AM ^

but those were fantastic cards. Getting Harbuagh was a coup. That he was available was pure chance. The Nike contract was great. That it was up for renewal, again pure chance.

Hackett could have done just as good a job and had to settle for a very good coach, but not a spectacular hire. Say Jim Mora, Jr. Season tickets sales improve, but not dramatically. Fans wiould wait to see real improvement on the field. If we're still on the old Adidas deal for a few more years, he's left looking for ways to boost revenue and/or cut expenses. That's generally the part of the AD's job that draws the ire of fans. 

Lastly, he was replacing a blunderous and reviled AD. There were obvious little things available to earn goodwill. Some were even directed by Schlissel.

I don't want to take away any credit. I'm very happy Hackett is our AD. Still, I think the opinions of his performance would be a lot more tentative if not for some circumstances beyond his control.

Ronnie Kaye

July 29th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^

I understand your point but I think there is minimal risk in the next AD not "getting it." We have all seen which approach is more popular with Michigan fans. Someone like Warde Manuel will almost surely also practice common sense in addition to having actual experience as an AD. I dont think there is much to be scared of. Brandon was legit crazy. Martin was a good man but had some quirks and was deeply unqualified for certain aspects of the job. I think we've learned.

ReegsShannon

July 29th, 2015 at 12:24 AM ^

I'd love it, but honestly as a current student who attends every game, I don't think the average student cares enough to justify it. The student section hasn't been completely full even once in my three years at UM so far and the current lower bowl section is already constantly about 1/4 to 1/2 full of people who aren't as passionate as you'd expect.

Gentleman Squirrels

July 28th, 2015 at 11:21 PM ^

Get the band some speakers so that they are heard all around the stadium and have the band play during breaks instead of blaring mainstream music (not all the time... I like singing to songs occasionally, but i'd rather listen to the band during the game).

Pinky

July 28th, 2015 at 11:32 PM ^

Hackett has done a nice job, but let's not pretend like he's had to grapple with some really tough decisions.  Hiring Harbaugh and going with Nike were pretty much no-brainers.  I think he's wisely followed public opinion, and after Brandon, that seems like more of an accomplishment than it probably is.

Michigan4Life

July 29th, 2015 at 12:27 AM ^

What made it a lot easier if JH had a feud with Jed York and NFL teams couldn't contact him because he's still an employee for SF. Harbaugh couldn't opt for the NFL gig unless SF let him go which they won't. They rather hold on to him and then fire him once it has been filled out. Sending him to Michigan was a better alternative.



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