Report: Jim Hackett to step down as Michigan's interim AD
The Detroit Free Press reported on Tuesday that Michigan interim athletics director Jim Hackett is on his way out.
According to the report, sources confirmed that Hackett will not be named the university’s permanent AD and that a search committee is expected to be announced in the next week. It remains to be seen whether or not he’ll stay with the university through its pending bowl bid.
Hackett reportedly did not want to or expect to keep the job beyond 2015.
It’s a position that Hackett held for over a year after Dave Brandon resigned in the middle of the football season. And while Hackett wasn’t involved in a lot of the day-to-day operations, he did make a few of massive decisions to improve the football program.
He fired Brady Hoke following the team’s 5-win 2014 season. And what Michigan fans will always be grateful for was the fact that he got Jim Harbaugh to leave the NFL and come back to his alma mater.
In addition to personell changes, Hacket was also part of a record-setting apparel change. He was credited for helping the school transition from Adidas to Nike and lock up the company’s richest college apparel deal to date.
Hackett also penned a letter to students asking them to be respectful of punter Blake O’Neill following his infamous fumbled snap against Michigan State.
Michigan officials did not confirm the report. But given Hackett’s desire to not remove the interim tag, it’s likely only a matter of time before the school releases an official statement on the matter.