The pros and cons of Dave Brandon

Submitted by go16blue on

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.

JeepinBen

June 14th, 2011 at 8:20 AM ^

If he was in there to watch film, learn, and sit down and shut up, I don't have a problem with it. He's a former player and a fan, I know if I had the chance to I'd love to watch film. I think that he could have used it as a time to get to know the coaches, seen them work, and done it in their setting - their comfort zone, which is big for a boss. When I wanted to get to know the machinists at work I went and was an extra set of hands on the press, I didn't have them come sit in my office. But I also didn't try to tell them how to do their job, I worked and listened.

The second he tried to speak like a coach I'd kick him out of the room though. He can't be critiquing the coaches during the film session. 

I honestly don't know how he watched film, but how he did it would have an effect on if I thought it was OK or not

BlueCE

June 13th, 2011 at 8:55 PM ^

I think DB rocks... despite many hating him being "corporate", he understand what it takes to build and maintain a competitive program in this day and age...

Koyote

June 13th, 2011 at 9:00 PM ^

Better facilities will attract better recruits. I don't mind doing something that breaks away from tradition every once in awhile like having a special jersey for a night game if it can contribute to more talent on the field, court, and rink. 

Plus, a few of our recruits love the special jerseys. So it puts a bit of excitement into the program during the long summer months. I have faith that Brandon will keep things traditionalist enough to appease most of the grouchy get off my lawn types. 

wolverinebutt

June 13th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^

I think we stll need more time to fully evaluate DB. 

My favorite thing is the guy could be making more money doing other things, but he loves M more than money.  FInd a suckeye that would would put "that school" ahead of money.  

 

JeemtotheH

June 13th, 2011 at 9:27 PM ^

Pros

Rennovations and scoreboards at Big House, Crisler, Yost

Helped keep ohio game at the end of the season (possibly after testing the waters)

Made a tough but correct decision to replace the head coach (did not handle the process very well, but ended up with what appears to be a stellar coaching staff)

Big Chill at the Big House (did he organize this?)

Night game vs Notre Dame

Game vs Alabama (did he organize this?, some don't like playing an away game in Texas)

 

Cons

That strange rodent on the hockey jerseys

BlueHills

June 13th, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^

I think Brandon's a very personable, charming guy. Is it about him or about Michigan? Based on his choice of words, I'd say some of each.

Is Brandon a politician? Based on his history, of course he is. Does he understand Michigan? Certainly. Do I wish he'd be a little less "shout it from the rooftops" corporate? Yes. The Michigan Athletic Department may be a huge enterprise, but it isn't a corporation. It's still ostensibly part of an educational institution. I think too much corporate-speak cheapens the University's image. I agree that a different argument can be legitimately made, and that a reasonable person might disagree with me.

A very logical argument can be made that it makes sense to treat UM Athletics as a business, and make no bones about it, and that's precisely what Brandon does.

I can only speak for myself: what I love about the University of Michigan isn't whether it has the largest stadium with the coolest electronic scoreboard, and it certainly isn't whether they do or do not sell a lot of stylish T-shirts.

I love that Brady Hoke talks about the fact that UM is an international university, the very finest on the planet. I wish Brandon would pay more homage to that part of the University as well.

M-Dog

June 13th, 2011 at 9:53 PM ^

I just want to follow a college team, not a pro team.

I am indeed concerned about heading down a slippery slope where one day we look up and its T-shirt guns, mascot races, organ music, uniformz, and ads on every square inch of the stadium.

I'm torn on DB.  On the one hand he's done some greatly needed catch-up stuff with the rest of CFB's elites.  On the other hand, I'm not sure if he knows how far is too far. 

In my heart of hearts I sincerely believe that he was ready to move the OSU game because he saw $$$ in showcasing the B1G Championship Game, and having Michigan-OSU the week before it kinda got in the way. 

He'll spin it now into some BS that he was just checking our pulse, but I don't think he would have pulled back from the edge if we had not all collectively and loudly done it for him.

I think what we need to be comfortable with DB is a Michigan Constitution.  A documented list of things that define us that he will not touch . . . regardless of how much $$$ he thinks he can make.

I'll start it, feel free to add to it:

- the winged helmet

- running under the M-Go-Blue banner

- The Victors, played by the MMB

- and Temptation/Hawaiian War Chant

- our home uni (oops)

- the # 1 jersey (yes I know its a "new" tradition, but it's a good one)

- the largest stadium in the country

- the winningest record in CFB

- I'll add more as I think of them, feel free to do add your own . . .

 

colin

June 13th, 2011 at 10:00 PM ^

One thing that's definitely notable about the DB era is that anything remotely controversial will get floated as a leak to some outlet first.  He judges the media and fan response, which is definitely different from the Lloyd/Bill Martin blue blood act.  As far as that goes, it's nice that the fanbase does have a say.  At the same time, that's the sort of thing that will make it easier to go down the slippery slope.  

jmblue

June 13th, 2011 at 10:01 PM ^

Except that Martin was completely absent from a PR standpoint.  You couldn't get him to speak on the record on anything.

Martin also was accused of being a corporate guy.  He came within an eyelash of selling naming rights to the Game to SBC.

colin

June 13th, 2011 at 10:01 PM ^

Agreed, but I don't know that I count that as a bad thing.  He and Lloyd were on the same page as far as that goes.  Well, no, I take that back.  I like that we have more access to the players than we've ever had and I think it's good for the kids and the fanbase.

jmblue

June 13th, 2011 at 10:06 PM ^

Think about the debate over the stadium renovation.  Pollack and the rest of the "Save the Big House" campaign were more visible than Martin was.  The thing pretty much passed in spite of Martin.  He had more credible arguments than Pollack, but didn't know how to articulate them.   

Brandon can go too far in the other direction and come off as too self-important, but at least we know the buck stops with him.  

colin

June 13th, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^

I think it was more like he didn't feel he had to deign to make an argument.  He and Lloyd were tight lipped and autocratic because they presumed they carried Bo's mantle and carried it well.  Seeing as they actually had Bo to talk to about it, I'm sure they felt very much justified.  And ultimately they knew Ann Arbor isn't Berkeley, so it's not like they needed a PR blitz to win the day.

Without having thought about it, it occurs to me now that that everyone else knew that they spoke for Bo (or had his blessing).  Sure, everyone knows the buck stops with Brandon, but that doesn't carry the same weight.  Rothstein and Snyder never would have done what they did with Bo around.

I guess that means Brandon's job is all the more difficult and his corporatese approach more relevant, but I still hate the downside.  And even if it never gets worse than it is, the aeshetics of it bug me.  

go16blue

June 13th, 2011 at 9:57 PM ^

For the record, I love what brandon is doing, and I dont think that hes sacrificing tradition either (I was just trying to reflect what a considerable portion of fans think). I was really just trying to compare two sides of the AD spectrum, if you will.

Desmonlon Edwoodson

June 13th, 2011 at 10:06 PM ^

He also hired Amaker and promised him a practice facility.  Then he wouldn't spring for a freaking VCR.  Then he went on the record that he "knows what side his bread is buttered on" and speaking on basketball recruiting, "If they care about facilities, they wont come to Michigan."  Fuck Bill Martin.

Desmonlon Edwoodson

June 13th, 2011 at 10:26 PM ^

The quotes came from an interview Martin did with John Borton in the print Wolverine around the time the Big House plans were approved.  Guy was generally a douchebag, and went out of his way to make the Ed Martin fallout 10x worse.  Made sure basketball players were punished twice for things that would be swept under the rug in football.  It really seemed as if he thought underfunding the basketball program for a decade was the answer to the Ed Martin competitive advantage.  Seeing how quickly programs bounce back with good leadership makes me wish DB had been hired 5 or 6 years earlier.

MGoShoe

June 13th, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^

....here:

  1. Practicegate crisis management: A+
  2. Big time events that increase Michigan's visibility and fan enjoyment: A+
  3. Infrastructure improvements: A+
  4. Changing Athletic Department's hidebound culture while hewing to, recognizing and highlighting Michigan traditions: A
  5. Brand management: A+
  6. Revenue stream and fundraising: A+
  7. New varsity sports; A+
  8. Football program change management: A

I bestow these grades in spite of the following things that many have decried:

  1. NA
  2. Curly Fry Guy, Jerry World game,Big Chill and UTL jerseys
  3. "Scoreboard advertisements" that are a figment of some imaginations
  4. See 2.
  5. See 2.
  6. The fact that a revenue stream is required
  7. NA
  8. Firing RichRod, hiring Brady Hoke, "lying to the fanbase", "The Process", flying in jets

 

Firstbase

June 13th, 2011 at 10:09 PM ^

...I believe DB is good for the University. Times change. Tradition remains and is built upon. For every poor decision, he'll make 5 good ones.

wresler120

June 13th, 2011 at 10:20 PM ^

is doing a great job. He is making the necessary renevations, is not selling out on Michigan, and is bringing the football team closer together with his fantastic hire of Hoke

ak47

June 13th, 2011 at 11:48 PM ^

Jesus christ enough with the dave brandon selling out tradition crap.  Our jerseys have changed before, our traditions have changed before, our stadiums have changed before and the fact of the matter is nothing has actually changed under brandon. We have had an incredible event in the big chill.  We have gotten new scoreboards which was badly needed for both looks and keeping in noise.  We got a great coach in hoke after making by all accounts a real run at the top guy for hire harbaugh.  What exactly has brandon done that could be described as selling out tradition?

willow

June 14th, 2011 at 12:13 AM ^

In the 50's and early 60's, many games except for MSU and OSU had about 70,000 in attendance.  Canham's success criterion was to fill it.  That was why UM (and MSU) had band days for the least popular games such as Navy.  He made it seem as if it were full after inviting 15,000 HS students.  It entertained the fans at half time and thrilled a generation of band kids like myself.

Canham was quite unique for his time.  Not only was he able to put the athletic department on firm financial footing, but he was a class act.  Everything sold with an M logo was classy and well done.

It's hard to imagine that every game wasn't a sellout, isn't it?  The fans seem much more stalwart now than then.

Brandon reminds me of Canham: highly visible and a leader with a strong sense of direction.

WolverineBlue

June 14th, 2011 at 2:33 AM ^

The high school bands came down at halftime and filled the entire field, with the Michigan Band front and center leading the way. I played in the MMB for several band days.

When seats became a scarcer commodity, rather than immediately cancelling band day, they brought in Slippery Rock to play a game in the Big House for band day.

TheVictors

June 14th, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^

You never met or knew Bill Martin ...a socially awkward real estate developer. Thanks to Bill, we have the beginning of the renovations needed to bring UM into the 21st Century ...ahem, Crisler --- and thanks to Dave Brandon, they're continuing.

bsgriffin1

June 14th, 2011 at 12:44 AM ^

he is one of the best AD's anyone could get so far. i am very pleased he is UM's AD. He is very, very good carrying around Michigan's name and traditions, as well as "upgrading" the programs he has control over.

HAILtoBO

June 14th, 2011 at 1:04 AM ^

Bill Martin called for the renovations to Michigan Stadium. Plus, Brandon understands the rich tradition at Michigan and he wants us to understand that he undrstands "Michigan". He played under Bo and knows that nobody is bigger than Michigan and no one ever will be.

vegasjeff

June 14th, 2011 at 8:01 AM ^

Brandon's biggest job is making sure the football program wins, and wins clean. He already made his decision about who our coach is. So far signs are encouraging about that decision but it is season records, conference titles, records vs. OSU and in bowls that count.

As for the other stuff, he should make sure the other programs win, and win clean too. But tradition shouldn't be our shibboleth, with the new being a sign of an outsider. Some change is good.

King Douche Ornery

June 14th, 2011 at 8:23 AM ^

Put him in the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" category.

Message board guy thinks too much. I know guys like the OP think they could do a better job, but really, how can anyone evaluate him this early? He too over a freaking MESS at Michigan (obviously, there are those nasty Factions to deal with) and is walking many tightropes.

One tightrope is trying to drag Michigan into the 21st century while dopey fans want UM to remain beholden to some sort of invisible (and over glorified) "tradition" which is nothing more than myopic nostalgia in most cases.

There IS this whole thing about marketing, image, and social media/new technology/new ways of thinking that Michigan has been one of the last Big Timers to get on board with.

Not ONE of us has any idea of the scope or magnitude of the job Brandon has.  He will make decisions, fortunately, based on what he thinks is best, he won't make them in a vacuum, and he'll just somehow have to stand up to the scrutiny of dinks on message boards who think they know what's going on.

I think he'll do just fine; he has so far.