Talk to David Brandon Last Night

[Rockie]

at the Hockey game; since I only live like 30 minutes from Fort Wayne, In, I decided to take in the Wolverines last night and I ran into David Brandon, he was on the upper concourse, talking to anyone that wanted to talk to him; Anywas, I didn't really ask him anything, just could he do a home and home with Hawaii sometime and he kind of chuckled and said "that would be a good road game the first week of December and have The Dog, roam the sidelines." Apparantly, The Dog is a big Michigan Football Fan. See, DB really does get it. Anyways, here are some things he did say to other people
On RichRod, My plan is the same as RichRod's plan is; to have him here till he retires. He really feels that Rich has turned the corner on talent and numbers, two things he was lacking when he got here. He also feels that this year's team will make a bowl game and starting in 2011, Michigan will be a top five program like it should.
On Notre Dame and Big Ten Expansion, Michigan will not play Notre Dame in 2018 and 2019, the plan is to have Notre Dame rotate on and off the schedule, every two years, starting in 2018 (18/19 off, 2020/21 on, 2022, 2023 off); however, that could change if ND joins the Big Ten. DB favors no more than three teams at the most, but prefers a 12 team league, with B10 playing a 10 game conference schedule
Could see the Big House getting bigger by the end of this decade (expanding endzones). There will be at least one night game a year in the Big House

[bighousemike84]

He really feels that Rich has turned the corner on talent and numbers

Good to hear, I thought so too but since he says so then we are golden. :)

[Sten Carlson]

On RichRod, My plan is the same as RichRod's plan is; to have him here till he retires. He really feels that Rich has turned the corner on talent and numbers, two things he was lacking when he got here. He also feels that this year's team will make a bowl game and starting in 2011, Michigan will be a top five program like it should.

Thanks for the post Rockie!

This what I suspected, and what I had heard from people inside the AD, but is sure is nice to have a confirmation coming from Brandon himself. Brandon knows what he's looking at, and knows that these last two seasons are going to be historical footnotes in short order. He also knows that RR is "ALL IN" and wants to be a Michigan Man for life, which I think is a very good thing, and is in direct contrast to those that think that he's just in it for them money, and will likely jump ship when another job comes around. Brandon is a godsend and just what Michigan needed at exactly the right time.

Thanks again for the post Rock!

GO BLUE!is

[Gobluerebirth]

That's really cool. Glad you got to speak to him. Sounds like good news.
Go Blue!

[Wolvrin704]

Great post Rockie. Great to hear such talk coming from Brandon, one of 2 people whose opinion of RR matters most.

[Blue In Ohio]

Glad to hear he is in support of the coach and understands the bad situation RR has walked into. Shows the man has a brain.

[The Michigan Man]

Rockie - you are easily the MVP of this forum, thanks for another great contribution!

[Revelli]

Not to be 'Johnny-Rain-Cloud" here or anything, because I really do agree with everything that has been said above, but let me pose this question to you:

If David Brandon didn't feel the way he said he does in the statement above, do you really think he would just tell a random fan at a hockey game? I mean, is he just gonna come out to a fan at an away hockey game and say, "Nah, if he doesn't go at least 6-6+bowling, he's toast..."

Don't get me wrong, I happen to agree that Michigan and RR have really turned the corner now, and I am enthralled to see that D. Brandon get's it too. Just wondering aloud I guess...

GO BLUE!

[Gobluerebirth]

Not to be 'Johnny-Rain-Cloud" here or anything, because I really do agree with everything that has been said above, but let me pose this question to you:

If David Brandon didn't feel the way he said he does in the statement above, do you really think he would just tell a random fan at a hockey game? I mean, is he just gonna come out to a fan at an away hockey game and say, "Nah, if he doesn't go at least 6-6+bowling, he's toast..."

Don't get me wrong, I happen to agree that Michigan and RR have really turned the corner now, and I am enthralled to see that D. Brandon get's it too. Just wondering aloud I guess...

GO BLUE!
It's cool, I don't think he would come out and says if he doesn't go 6-6 +Bowl game he would be fired. But, it just reassures us that are All In.
Go Blue.

[RADRACING]

All I say is RR show me on the field and on the score board, the rest is lip service about any direction he is headed.

[bluefan]

All I say is RR show me on the field and on the score board, the rest is lip service about any direction he is headed.

Congratulations, Mr. Obvious. You're saying what every UM fan is saying. Well done.

[RADRACING]

Yea well almost every post on here is how Um is headed in a great direction but no one can quantify anything.

[Rockie]

Not to be 'Johnny-Rain-Cloud" here or anything, because I really do agree with everything that has been said above, but let me pose this question to you:

If David Brandon didn't feel the way he said he does in the statement above, do you really think he would just tell a random fan at a hockey game? I mean, is he just gonna come out to a fan at an away hockey game and say, "Nah, if he doesn't go at least 6-6+bowling, he's toast..."

Don't get me wrong, I happen to agree that Michigan and RR have really turned the corner now, and I am enthralled to see that D. Brandon get's it too. Just wondering aloud I guess...

GO BLUE!
Well here is my take, you might be right in thinking that way, but keep in mind, this guy is worth mucho bucks, has a graduate degree from one of the top business schools in the country (Michigan), was a CEO of a major international company, who is now an AD, at one of the most visible universities in America and he is talking smack with the everyday Jan and Jo fan of the University of Michigan and he didn't come off as being a jerk, but an everyday luch bucket type guy.

[Sten Carlson]

Revelli,

I understand your concern, and I think you're right, AD Brandon would NEVER make a negative comment in public. However, that doesn't mean that his comments were somehow less than sincere. As Rockie pointed out, this guy is HIGHLY intelligent, highly successful, and I believe he is highly motivated to bring all his talents and expertise to bear for the benefit of the University of Michigan. I think he's a skilled enough front-man/public speaker to know when to give a measured "canned" response, and when to speak from the heart.

As I have said before, I think Brandon is in a no lose situation with RR: he's keeping him, the depth chart is coming along, and if he fails to win, it was Martin's boondoggle, not his and the new coach (whomever he might be) will walk into a situation more conducive to a quick turn around; however, if RR starts to win (this year hopefully) Brandon is hailed as the greatest AD since Don Canham for having the foresight and the stones to keep the faith in RR. That being said, however, I don't believe that Brandon is supporting RR strictly because he's in that no-lose situation -- I think he sincerely sees the vision that RR has for the program, and sincerely believes that the corner has been turned and that the roster is chocked full of exceptional young talent that is still has several years of eligibility to contribute.

Just imagine if Michigan were to have a breakout season this year -- 9, 10, or even 11 wins, national ranking, maybe even a Heisman candidacy for Tate -- they're still going to have 2-3 MORE SEASONS together. Man, what a juggernaut this team will be in 2012. Why wouldn't an AD want to see that group through and see how far RR can go with them? It would be INSANELY shortsighted to dump the whole thing right now -- and I am VERY PLEASED that AD Brandon seems to get that.

We're in good hands, the worst is behind us now...

Go Blue!

[Gobluerebirth]

I agree Sten. Green Pastures ahead. Nervousness in my mind though. ;].

[amazinblue]

Yea well almost every post on here is how Um is headed in a great direction but no one can quantify anything.

Rad,

The people that only measure things in "wins and losses" will have to wait until September - and based on your comments, I'd have to put you in that group.

However, if you're willing to take a minute or two longer - and read some of the other threads out here, you'd discover that the roster is deeper. The senior class is small - because this was one of Carr's classes, and many of the returning players have gained EXPERIENCE in the last season or two. Perhaps we should look at the number of starts by position - by player. Maybe there's another way to analyze this - however, we are finally getting the depth that is needed. The NCAA only allows you to sign a fixed number of players - and, that's what RR and the staff have been doing the last two classes - and the one before (2008 - which I consider a shared class because of the timing of RR's arrival and the number of scholarships Carr had extended prior to his retirement).

So, RR's first full recruiting class are true SOPHOMORES. Can you understand this? Perhaps you think that they should have been defeating opponents with solid rosters of upperclassmen. This team is developing and growing quickly - and, since you're a "wins and losses - show me on the field" kind of fan - why don't you just wait until September when there's some games under their belts and a record.