USA Today: David Brandon: 'I have no problem calling the play'

“I’m not in the old-school model of the guy who’s always in charge. My style is more interactive, more consensus building,” he told USA Today. But, “I have no problem calling the play.”

Brandon is departing the global pizza giant in favor of guiding the Wolverines back to athletics dominance. He officially takes over March 8.

David Brandon said in a USA Today story published today that he plans to lead cooperatively but decisively as the University of Michigan's new athletics director.

File: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

Other notable items from the USA Today story:

• Brandon had prostate cancer seven years ago and was treated by U-M personnel. In 2006, he donated $4 million to the university for several purposes: prostate cancer research, neonatal intensive care unit construction at the new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, new construction at the Museum of Art, the athletics department and other objectives.

• Brandon, who earned three Big 10 championship rings as a backup football player in the 1970s, said he “left the program feeling a lot like a failure.” But he said the setback was “the best thing that ever happened to me.”

• When he joined Domino’s after the departure of founder Tom Monaghan, he approved “a sprawling new CEO office suite” to replace Monaghan’s “inconspicuous office,” the story says. “Mr. Monaghan was an introvert. I’m not,” Brandon said. He also slashed Domino’s strict dress code and launched training and recruiting programs.

• Brandon, recycling a sentiment he’s expressed several times since being hired as the new athletic director, said he wouldn’t “play Monday morning quarterback” with controversial coach Rich Rodriguez. He acknowledged, though, that “one of my most important responsibilities is to try to pull the University of Michigan family back together to the extent that there’s any scar tissue or divisiveness that’s built up over any issue.”

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