Michigan AD Dave Brandon hasn't considered resigning

University of Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon has not considered resigning nor has he contemplated firing head football coach Brady Hoke, he said in an interview with The Michigan Daily.
Michigan AD Dave Brandon hasn't considered resigning
Michigan AD Dave Brandon hasn't considered resigning /

University of Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon has not considered resigning nor has he contemplated firing head football coach Brady Hoke, he said in an interview with The Michigan Daily.

Brandon and Hoke have taken criticism from students, alumni and fans in recent days because Hoke allowed quarterback Shane Morris to return to the Wolverine's game against Minnesota after he sustained a helmet-to-helmet hit in the fourth quarter.

Morris has since been diagnosed with a mild concussion.

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Student protests this week called for Brandon's termination because of the team's violation of an NCAA policy stipulating that a player must be removed from a game immediately if he shows any sign of a concussion.

Hoke has said his coaching staff and medical personnel did not see the incident as it happened and were unaware of a possible injury. Brandon attributed Morris' reinsertion in the game to a "failure of communication."

Brandon released a statement early Tuesday morning that acknowledged and apologized for the mistakes made in Morris' evaluation. It also detailed policies the team will implement immediately:

"We will have an athletic medicine professional in the press box or video booth to ensure someone will have a bird's eye view of the on-field action, have television replay available and have the ability to communicate with medical personnel on the sidelines.

We are also examining how to reinforce our sideline communication processes and how decisions will be made in order to make sure that information regarding student-athlete availability to participate is communicated effectively amongst the medical team and to our coaches."

Devin Gardner is slated to start at quarterback on Saturday when Michigan faces Rutgers in New Jersey. Morris' status for the game is doubtful.

Michigan is 2-3 so far this year, and 0-1 in the Big Ten.

- Christopher Woody


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