Michigan student petition for firing of AD Brandon has 3,167 signatures and counting

Michigan students are doing their part to have their voices heard this week with regard to the handling of the football program. On Monday the student newspaper called for head coach Brady Hoke to lose his job. Today a petition demanding the athletics director Dave Brandon to be relieved of duties is gaining traction as well. As of this posting, over 3,100 students had signed the petition.

As summarized by the online petition, Brandon stated “athletic programs play [a role] in helping to shape the culture and image of our university community.” The petition then states the following;

“Unfortunately, under Mr. Brandon’s tenure, the football program, one of the most prominent programs at the University of Michigan and in the nation, has become a black eye for the University of Michigan. Instead of adding to the image and prestige of the university, the state of the athletic department has hurt the connection shared between alumni, fans, and the university. Furthermore, policies and decisions of the athletic department have alienated the current student body. As a result, the university risks producing a generation of alumni that are disinterested and disengaged. Finally, President Mark Schlissel previously stated that one draw of the athletic program is to provide an avenue for “public attention on to the other wonderful things that are happening on campus...” When the athletic department produces overwhelmingly negative media attention, it distracts from the main mission of the university.”

Brandon released a statement in the middle of the night addressing the handling and response to the injury to quarterback Shane Morris. It raised some questions while providing reason for the mishandling of the situation from the top down on the sidelines.

It is probably not likely Brandon will lose his job over this, but the reaction is fair for the most part. There is no question this has been mismanaged from all angles, but will ultimately take responsibility for the actions or lack thereof?

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