Michigan Hires "A Michigan Man," David Brandon To Be Named AD

According to the Detroit Free Press' Mark Snyder and Michael Rosenberg, the University of Michigan will name Domino's Pizza CEO and Michigan alum David Brandon as their new athletic director. According to the report he is scheduled to start the job in March.

In the report, Brandon said about the job opening back in October,  "The reality is when I was a regent I understood how things are handled and Mary Sue Coleman is going to determine who’s in the job and whoever she chooses will have my full support. I don’t think it’s an elected office or anyone campaigns for it. My job is as the CEO of Domino’s."

Also inside the Free Press article, Sue Coleman comments on the Brandon's $4 million dollar donation to the Michigan Difference campaign, "David Brandon has experienced the power of the University of Michigan from many vantage points: as a student, as an athlete, as a regent and, most deeply, as a new parent of critically ill babies."

Come March, he will experience the power of the University of Michigan athletic department and being an employee of the University. 

He is not inheriting the fiscal mess that Bill Martin saw upon his hire. However, Brandon will have his own issues, mainly the resurrection of the football team and the completion and hopeful renovation of Crisler Arena.

It is known that Brandon believes in Rich Rodriguez. It is, however, unknown how much time he will give the coach, is it one more year or the rest of Rodriguez's contract? We just don't know.

Brandon played quarteback at Michigan under Bo Schembechler in the early 70's. He was a back-up and earned his bachelors degree and teaching certificate from the University in 1974.

In 1998, Brandon was elected to the Michigan Board of Regents on the Republican ticket. He lost his seat in 2006. He currently is CEO of Domino's. According to Crain's Detroit Business , he is the chairman of Business Leaders for Michigan and one of Detroits 2009 Newsmakers of the Year.

It will be interesting to see how he handles the 2010 football season. This upcoming season is a deal breaker for Rodriguez, and he may be on an even hotter seat with Brandon as AD.

Michigan fans finally have their 'Michigan Man' back in charge in Ann Arbor.

More news will be available throughout the week. It will be good to hear from Brandon as soon as he is announced officially and see what his vision is for the University of Michigan athletic department.

Until than, go grab a Domino's pizza, sit back, and catch the Big Ten Iowa Hawkeyes take on the ACC's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets tonight in the Orange Bowl.

Photo thanks to Crain's Detroit Business website