Michigan Welcomes the "Pizza Man" as Their New Athletic Director

Former Michigan football player under Bo Schembechler and current Domino's Pizza CEO  Dave Brandon will be the new Athletic Director at the University of Michigan.

Angelique S. Chengelis from The Detroit News broke the news: "I have a deep appreciation for the university," Brandon told The News in a telephone interview. "I will rely on my experience as a business leader, I will rely on my experiences as a student-athlete, I will rely on my experience as a regent.

"More than anything else, I'm passionate about it, and anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit of a workaholic. I would never be disrespectful to any of the other candidates, but I bring a unique set of qualifications that will help me in this role."

Brandon has been close to the University for many years as a Regent, working on special projects with university President Sue Coleman and a fund raiser. He knows the people he is going to work for and the situation at Michigan very clearly.

This isn't a big dollar alumni coming in and taking a job, this is a guy that loves the U of M and has the business acumen to succeed in the job.

There were rumblings that Brandon was also thinking about taking a run for governor of  but that will have to wait. He has signed a five-year contract and will officially take over the athletic department in March.

So the big question that most people are asking is: How much rope does Rich Rodriguez have before he gets fired? As a Michigan fan, you must hear it all the time as well, right?

Well, Mgoblog reports from an insider that: Brandon was a key supporter of Rodriguez's candidacy. He and RR have dinner regularly. Three-nine engenders some frustration, but one of the items cited was Rodriguez getting "too friendly with the media."

By the way, my answer to the above question is: At least through the end of his contract. Michigan is paying him a ton of money. They paid WVU a ton of money to get him out of his contract, they don't want to pay him a ton of money for him to coach somewhere else.

Two things to remember: Michigan didn't have a ton of choices when Lloyd Carr ,and they gave Tommy Amaker all the time in the world to succeed.

As for the choice for AD, Brandon is a good hire. He knows Michigan very well and has a solid business background. It's obvious he didn't take the AD job for money since you know he makes much more in his current role. So he took the job for his love of the U of M and must already have enough dough.