Schlissel to Alumni: Circling the Wagons on the DB Statement
Cliff's Notes: Basically, see the statement Brandon put out the other night. Timetable of further discussion is "in the weeks and months ahead." Sounded like some audible laughter in the mix at the end.
Confidence in our administration: Waning
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:47 PM ^
The administration thinks this much ado about nothing. Not surprising. UM does the same thing.(See: doctor and child porn case)
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:48 PM ^
I mean, the best part is when he talks about taking away a player's helmet when they're not cleared to return.
Which was already the policy. Ask Taylor Lewan.
Clueless, hamhanded, and inexcusable across the board.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:51 PM ^
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/11/child-porn-case-u-michigan_n_1270311.html
It's not PSU, but it's disturbing nonetheless.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^
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October 2nd, 2014 at 10:21 PM ^
You know what would solve that? A HEADSET! But our coach is a stubborn dick who refuses to wear one. How in the hell can you improve communication if he refuses to put one on?
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:32 PM ^
I dont follow the logic here. If he had on a headset, he would have been talking to Jeff Hecklinski in the box and Nussmeier. I havent seen anything to suggest that Hecklinski was calling down and telling them Shane was injured. How would that have solved it in this case?
October 2nd, 2014 at 11:07 PM ^
My logic is very simple. If everyone is connected via headset, the communication issue is eliminated. IE, Coaches, medical staff. As an example; the lead physician would say over the radio/headsets, "Morris looks concussed coach Hoke! Get him out of there!". Idk. I'm not a coach. I'm a firefighter. But I can tell you, if my chief and/or officers didn't have a radio/radios, we would be doomed.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:55 PM ^
Unless the skybox had someone to see that he needed to be pulled from the game, sorta like what Schlissel was talking about, that could tell Brady that better than the medical staff on the field, it doesn't seem like that information would reach him from the coaching staff in the skybox, headset or not.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:57 PM ^
Do medical staff typically wear headsets? I would imagine they don't. Besides, Hoke has a guy with a headset following him around IIRC. He's supposed to let him know anything pertinent and give him the headset if he wants it.
Headset complaint is much ado about nothing IMO.
October 2nd, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^
I have no idea if this has been considered before (maybe it has and I'm just clueless) but couldn't you give the doctor on either side some way to notify officials that a player needs to come out, kind of like the replay booth does for a replay?
If not the officials, maybe the coaches channel? It wouldn't even have to be a headset, just a button that would make a siren noise on the other end or something.
October 3rd, 2014 at 5:52 AM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 9:20 AM ^
I'm not in any way defending Hoke overall, but I see this as an attempt at micro-management that has little to do with the incident.
I highly doubt that the problem was with Hoke's "headset guy" failing to pass along a "Shane might have a concussion, get him out" message.
Much more likely, those with the awareness of the potential concussion just weren't clear/assertive enough.
Heck, Hoke couldn't communicate properly with the official on the sideline. Why would we expect he and the staff to be perfect in executing other forms of communication?
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:27 PM ^
That is the protocal. Players are available unless the medical staff specifically says no. Until they say it, the player is available.
It makess sense. It's not practical for the coach to have to check every play "Is he availabel for this play?" "Is he availabel for this play?" "Is he availabel for this play?"
If the coach does not hear no, then the player is available. The medical staff dropped the ball on this one. Thaey as much at fault or more than Hoke.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:35 PM ^
Well stated. This system makes it so the coaches never overrule the medical staff and trainers and the never have to wonder. It wasnt an intentional mistake but I think it sure is pointing to the medical staff / trainers being more at fault than anyone else here. I think the finger doesnt get pointed at them much though because its much more popular to blame Hoke and Brandon.
October 3rd, 2014 at 9:35 AM ^
At first I thought you had a typo for available, but then I caught on to your genius. The "Avail-a-bell", like a taxi cab light on top of the helmets. If the helmet is part of a impact of certain magnitude or if the eye in the sky suggested by justingoblue above believes a player needs to be evaluated, the player's "off duty" light turns on. The player is not eligible to participate until an evaluation occurs and his light is turned off. Brings a whole new meaning to lighting someone up.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:49 PM ^
It would have been nice to hear him criticize Brandon more, but this is pretty much what was expected.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:26 PM ^
Thank you for contacting us and sharing your concerns about the state of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Michigan. I greatly appreciate the thoughtful input that I and other leaders have received from you and many other members of our community. Such input only serves to enhance my feeling of pride at becoming a member of the Michigan family.
The passion you bring to U-M, and in particular U-M Athletics, is both amazing and apparent. We appreciate your commitment to the university and support of our student-athletes. This depth and intensity of dedication help make Michigan a great and special institution. We value your support and recognize your concerns.
On the issue of student-athlete safety, I am extremely disappointed in the events surrounding the handling of an on-field injury to Shane Morris, one of our football players. I have apologized for the breakdown in our system of responding to player injuries. New measures to correct issues identified last weekend and enhance player safety will be implemented for our October 4 game at Rutgers. I support these immediate changes in medical protocols that the Athletic Department has identified in its initial assessment, and I have instructed the Department to do a thorough review of our in-game player safety procedures with the involvement of experts from our Health System.
I pledge to make sure that our procedures going forward reflect the very best practices for student-athlete safety and will enforce the necessary accountability to protect the health of our players.
Since my arrival in July, I have spent a great deal of time getting to know our campus and students. I have been particularly struck by the conviction and drive of our student-athletes both on and off the field, and I am focused on doing all I can to support them in their academic, athletic and community efforts. Like all aspects of our university, I aspire for athletics to continue to be among the “leaders and best” and will work toward this goal in the months and years ahead.
We know that we must find the way to maintain the traditions we hold so dear while keeping our athletic program vibrant and competitive into the future. We are learning from our experiences and we are listening to alumni and fans. I feel that I owe it to our university community, our alumni, the many fans of our athletic teams, our student-athletes, and the dedicated leaders and staff of our Athletic Department to thoughtfully and deliberately consider the right way forward.
Thank you again for taking the time to write. I hope that you continue to support our student-athletes, our athletic traditions, and our great university as passionately as you always have.
Go Blue!
Sincerely,
Mark Schlissel
President
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:29 PM ^
Very form-y.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:39 PM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:55 PM ^
Too bad whoever crafted it didn't work on whatever they gave Hoke to work with on Monday, and what Brandon put out, because it's worded much better than either of those.
October 2nd, 2014 at 11:30 PM ^
The person(s) that crafted this response were not hired by DB. Therefore, they are likely not kiss-*ss, yes-(wo)man that worry more about keeping DB happy and the Fort safe than they do about doing an actual good job.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:50 PM ^
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October 2nd, 2014 at 9:51 PM ^
If Brandon weasels his way outta this, oh well if he does stay, there will be plenty of boos for him around campus exception of south campus it seems.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:51 PM ^
yawn.
I like that he somehow used the word "deliberatively". Nothing says "I hear you and I connect with you" like busting out a word nobody has used ever.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:54 PM ^
some Ivy league schmuck to come and run our school. . ..
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^
Serious? Considering our provost, Hanlon, and past president, Bollinger, went on to become presidents at Dartmouth and Columbia, I would suggest you review your thoughts of the Ivy League and Michigan relationship. In fact, Michigan is held in high regard all over the East Coast, I suggest you do the same for the Ivy League.
Point your anger at Mary Sue Coleman, who came from Iowa btw, for hiring this buffoon in the first place because he helped her get a job that she clearly was mediocre at best at. I'd rather have the Ivy Leaguer over the Iowa President anyday.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:49 PM ^
I'm not serious, you idiot.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:07 PM ^
you'd prefer someione from a SEC school?
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:54 PM ^
if they charge as much as they did for tickets this year, can you imagine what its going to be like next year with rivalries at home?!?!?!
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:54 PM ^
I also spoke to Schlissel. While I told myself I wouldn't speak on it, in his speech he made a big deal about holding the university's name in high esteem and reputation, so I addressed it. He said that "it'll pass I a few days to a few weeks." I definitely got the impression that he was annoyed by the whole thing (let alone me bringing it up--it was the first thing he addressed in his speech). Make of all that what you will.
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October 2nd, 2014 at 9:57 PM ^
If "it'll pass" means we're going to get a new AD, that's one thing.
But if he means "it'll pass" as if "the news cycle will take care of it," yeesh.
Given the response from the university this week, it seems we're looking at the latter scenario. They really think this will just disappear, as if it's just a blip on the radar for a guy they think is right for the job.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:57 PM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:00 PM ^
President has hiring/firing authority. Regents are supervisory with pretty much everything except the President himself or herself.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:32 PM ^
- The regents hire/fire the president.
- The AD hires/fires the coach.
The president can fire the AD. But he has to want to.
So, unless the regents are going to do something to the president (e.g., we will fire you unless you fire David Brandon), it really is up to Schlissel.
- And remember: contracts have to be taken into consideration. I am sure Schlissel has no desire to pay a fired David Brandon $10mil plus unless he absolutely has to.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^
a Master's in Law, and a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies. So basically she is a combination of Engineer, Lawyer, and General.
Polymath comes to mind.
Dave, bow before your intellectual superior.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:05 PM ^
and sports to him don't matter. It's academics and research first and everything else a distant second---as it should be. He can't be happy with Brandon's blundering, but with the support of a billionaire Brandon is nearly untouchable. The mind to change is not Schlissel--he could not care less--but Ross. Ross is the guy propping up Brandon.
October 2nd, 2014 at 11:51 PM ^
That could mean she's sick and tired of being asked questions about something she really doesn't care about in the first place and wishes people would just shut up so she could move on to more important stuff, like planning her next trip to Ibiza or the U-M-sponsored eco-tour to Costa Rica where she'll get to stay in five-star accommodations right on the beach.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:00 PM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:09 PM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:45 PM ^
October 3rd, 2014 at 12:44 AM ^
What makes you "convinced?" Evidence, please.
- Traditional power/National iconic brand (HS players are willing to listen automatically and school can recruit anywhere) = A
- Facilities = A
- Academics and academic support = A
- Devoted fanbase = A
- Power 5 conference = well, check anyway
- TV Networks and Bowl Committee love = A
The other things recruits look for are winning and player development toward the NFL. The right coach can do those things with talent. All it takes is the right guy. Exhibit A: UCLA with Mora and they have nowhere near the resources as Michigan when it comes to the factors listed above.
October 3rd, 2014 at 10:17 AM ^
Seeing as M has barely cleared the .500 mark the last few years, and may be staring down the barrel of a 2-4 win season, an 18 year old probably won't feel that it's a power much longer. Your devoted fan (and donor) base is getting increasingly frustrated and alienated by the existing regime. The issue with Brandon's approach is that the Rosses of the world won't be around forever and the new batch will only remember being dumped on by the AD.
Like it or not, this is a real danger point for future relevance of the football program, and by extension the entire department.
October 3rd, 2014 at 4:32 AM ^
The president really doesn't care about our football program. He will just keep Brandon and the entire program will implode. We will become a Harvard like team and who knows, may be one day will have to play football as a division 2 team!
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:01 PM ^
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:03 PM ^
I had really lost confidence in Hoke(because we failed to compete against ND, Utah, and Minnesota), but the longer you drama queens obsess over this, the more and more I'd like to see what Hoke and DB could do with a couple more years of player development.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^
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October 2nd, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^
My desire to see turncoats posing as concerned citizens suffer is starting to overtake my disappointment in the football team's performance.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:15 PM ^
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October 2nd, 2014 at 10:18 PM ^
It is better to be a traitor than to remain loyal to scoundrels.
October 3rd, 2014 at 7:08 AM ^
who's the bigger fool? The fool or the fool who follows him?