After viewing what has happened the last 2 days, one has to wonder if University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon is more apt to run a Domino’s Pizza than the Athletic Department at the prestigious university. In a word, Brandon fumbled the Rich Rodriguez firing and in essence made the University of Michigan look like an athletic department which is a long way from their greatness of yesteryear.
Brandon is used to being the center of attention. Whether he’s writing his private “Dave’s Blog” or showing up on Donald Trump’s “Apprentice” or by burning a Cease and Desist order to Subway, Brandon certainly loves him some Dave. After what has happened the last week, we have to wonder if Dave really knows him some football. (Incorrect grammar intentional U of M Journalism majors).
The question we are all wondering is why did Dave Brandon wait so long to fire Rich Rod? Better yet, why was Rodriguez hired in the first place? Make no mistake about it, Rich Rod is an offensive genius but running the “Spread Option” in the Big 10? It just didn’t make sense. The biggest issue that was brought to national attention is that Rich Rod was fired after Jan 1st so that the University of Michigan could save $2 million in a buyout clause. By waiting so long, the university cost Rodriguez a chance at a number of other jobs. One has to think, if Rodriguez knew his fate, he would’ve accepted the after-Jan 1st buyout sooner so that he could’ve got on with his life and Michigan could’ve got on with football. If a buyout option of 2 weeks couldn’t have been reached, the University of Michigan Law School has far greater problems than the football program. With that said, Brandon has made him and the program look very bad during the last week.
Tuesday:
A report came out that Rich Rod was gone. The story was scooped by the Detroit Free Press. Brandon went out of his way to tell the world nothing had happened and a decision had not been made yet.
Wednesday:
Dave Brandon announced Rich Rodriguez had been fired. Did Dave Brandon really need the extra day to feed his ego?
The Outcome:
Recruits are reconsidering. Jim Harbaugh looks like he is NFL-Bound and Brandon even told this fact to www.espn.com today. No one is in place to take control of the Maze and Blue and one has to wonder if Michigan will ever become a “Leader” or a “Legend” again and Rich Rod is not going to be reunited in West Virginia or coach at Maryland. Maybe he’ll end up in a broadcast booth but only time will tell. In the end, nobody is happy but Dave Brandon can still sleep at night.
Dave Brandon has been a disgrace and has done a disservice to everyone involved. Maybe the next letter AD Brandon should set on fire is his resignation and you can out that in “Dave’s Blog.”
Comments
I don't think you need to be a UofM "journalism major" (there isn't such a major there) to spot the numerous grammatical missteps in this article. I'm not defending Brandon, because I think it is likely that he may have botched this process, but your analysis and writing is below average.
Thanks for the input Chip.
You really made some valid points.
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