The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/418536
tenure gave up the fight, those athletic department sources suggested. Now, Michigan athletics, and in a high-profile way Michigan football, fall into Hackett's hands, at least for the time being. HACKETT ON THE JOB Hackett played as a backup cen- ter for Bo Schembechler in the 1970s, graduating from Michigan in 1977. He made it clear upon his introduction he's always carried great respect for the U-M coaching icon and another former Michigan center. "My time as a student at Michigan introduced me to two people who would become lifelong heroes of mine," Hackett said. "Early on, there was Bo Schembechler. The other was President Gerald Ford, whom I met later in his life after he retired from public office. "Both of them would be quite cer- tain that the future of Michigan is not in doubt. They would be reminding us all of the legacy of extraordinary performance in the classroom and on the field, and how that unique combi- nation puts us in a very rare position." Hackett will be called upon to put his knowledge of athletics and busi- ness savvy into shaping Michigan's immediate future. He's well accus- tomed to dealing with personnel, joining Grand Rapids-based furniture company Steelcase, Inc., in 1986 and becoming its CEO in 1994. He retired from the company this past February and has never been far removed from the goings-on in the Michigan athletic department. Hackett spoke of his familiarity with Brandon, from the time they were teammates under Schembechler to many years in Michigan-based busi- nesses. He is working in concert with Brandon in getting acclimated to the position of interim athletic director. As for finding a permanent athletic director, Schlissel made it clear the pro- cess will not be a hurried one. "Events are evolving quite rapidly," Schlissel said. "I've only prevailed upon Jim to serve as the interim di- rector, and he very graciously agreed. We'll be working together to formulate a way forward, hopefully in a reason- able timeframe, to do a very serious and thoughtful search for a permanent athletic director. "I want to take as long as necessary, to make sure we find a person that matches the set of ideals and is a great fit, for what I think is the best opportu- nity for an athletic director in the coun- try. I don't have a particular timeframe. I have excellence in mind." The indefinite timeline raises a num- ber of questions, of course, the most pressing of which involves the football program which Hackett knows well. Michigan head coach Brady Hoke DIGITAL BONUS: CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP THE PODCAST John Borton & Chris Balas