The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/418536
there can't be reforms, or a careful con- sideration of what is really necessary to be competitive, but a Big Ten presence on an Ivy League budget clearly won't cut it. When football is struggling — as it has in six of the past seven years — the missteps get magnified. Just ask Brandon. Had Michigan football been winning at historical norms over the past several years, the vast majority of actions for which Brandon got pilloried would have melted away. That's not to say there weren't le- gitimate beefs about the toppings Bran- don cast on the Michigan pizza, or his business-first (and second, and third) approach. But again, folks will pay for and laud a winner with integrity. If there's any doubt about that, just wan- der over to Crisler Center and check things out. So football is the first fix, whatever that means, and there's little doubt new AD Jim Hackett has those marching orders. Give him, and his successor, time to work before executing any well- meaning but heavy-handed interven- tions. 2. Reshape, But Don't Tear Down — Should there be concern about aca- demics, especially in the high-profile, keep-up-with-the-Joneses sports? Of course. The ongoing academic scandal at North Carolina underscores that ob- vious pause-causer. Don't think for a moment there aren't plenty more instances in which if you can play, you can stay, regardless of academic insufficiency. That shouldn't happen here. Period. There's enough help available, and enough incentive to work on both sides of the academic/ athletic dichotomy, that a balance can be found. Also, we should be extremely care- ful with the elitist notion over who can make it at Michigan. Some of the great- est success stories have emerged from the ranks of those less privileged, who have made it because they were willing to come here and work, and not just on the football field or basketball court. 3. Keep Listening, And Find The Sweet Spot — You've listened (and lis- tened, and listened some more) about Michigan athletics, perhaps more than you'd ever imagined you would in the first few months of your tenure here. That's good. That's wise. You note: "Beginning shortly after I arrived, as I continued to learn about the role of athletics in our community, and the details on the ground, I had al- ready begun working with the athletic director on things we could do to really make the relationship [between athlet- ics and the university] even closer than it is. To make the athletic program and our student-athletes a way closer part of our overall student community and part of our campus life. "What I began with Dave will cer- tainly continue with my collaboration with Jim Hackett, as the interim, and with whatever permanent AD that we're lucky enough to recruit here." There's nothing wrong with that ap- proach. We'd simply suggest a scalpel, rather than a meat cleaver. ❏ Editor John Borton has been with The Wolverine since 1991. Contact him at jborton@thewolverine.com and follow him on Twitter @JB _ Wolverine.