Michigan President Brings Up Football and Academics, Sparks Inevitable Overreactions

Michigan president Mark Schlissel spoke about the Athletic Department. He brought up academics. This has caused a kerfuffle over social media. Let’s look at what he actually said.

Schlissel brought up the football program’s poor graduation rate being an issue a few years ago. It was during the Carr/Rodriguez transition. Michigan’s APR score fell below the NCAA minimum and put the school at risk of sanctions.

"“We admit students who aren’t as qualified, and it’s probably the kids that we admit that can’t honestly, even with lots of help, do the amount of work and the quality of work it takes to make progression from year to year,” he said. “These past two years have gotten better, but before that, the graduation rates were terrible, with football somewhere in the 50s and 60s when our total six-year rate at the University is somewhere near 90 percent, so that’s a challenge.”"

So, Schlissel believes Michigan should aspire to provide an education to football players. That seems reasonable and uncontroversial.

He also addressed the AD search.

"“That’s why I’m taking a bit of time with the search for Dave’s successor,” Schlissel said. “Some folks wanted me to hire an athletic director (earlier) so he could fire the current football coach and hire the next coach but I want to take the time to make sure we get someone who is not only technically adept, but can ensure that the program has financial and academic integrity, and also someone who shares the value system of realizing our mission. “People have been saying all kinds of things about who I’m talking to about positions and this sports stuff, and they name names of people who I have no idea who they are,” Schlissel said. “I’ve really learned that this whole athletic sphere and the usual way you approach things just doesn’t work. It’s just a crazed or irrational approach that the world and the media takes to athletics decisions."

Schlissel believes the media climate and baseless speculation surrounding college football is “crazed or irrational.” That’s not inaccurate. He’s “taking a bit of time” with the new AD search. Dave Brandon resigned 11 days ago. Schlissel said nothing to suggest “taking a bit of time” will extend beyond the football season, which still has three weeks left.

“Coach speak” is prevalent. So is “college president speak.” Schlissel stressing the importance of academics at the university is not pledging to send Michigan to the Ivy League or even bring it up to Stanford standards. His job is to protect and to prioritize that mission. Schlissel being moderately disdainful of the trappings of the process does not connote a misunderstanding about the gravity of football on campus. Schlissel understands the timing concerns. He ousted Brandon in a matter of weeks.

In short, there is nothing that controversial here. It’s worth noting the last person to publicly call for better academics in Michigan’s football program is the very man Michigan fans now want to hire as the next coach.

[USA Today Sports]