Michigan interim AD Jim Hackett is “warming to the transition and mentoring aspects of the job," but he sees "no reason to change the status quo” by removing the tag from his title, according to Mark Snyder of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Hackett, who has a $600,000 annual salary and open-ended contract, said, “I need to be here a little longer. But we haven't come up with a new agreement or any terms. I don't want to do that. Those kind of things spoil the spontaneity and really the love and affection that's fueling all of this.” He added, “I'm not going to leave anybody high and dry. The president will have his options in terms of doing his search and picking somebody. But right now he's got Jim Hackett as interim athletic director and things are working pretty well” (FREEP.com, 3/7). Snyder notes Hackett “reiterated the issues" associated with scheduling the Ohio State and Michigan State football games at night. Hackett said, “There's not going to be an Ohio State game at night because it's too cold, it's too cold for our fans. There's a challenge with Michigan State because the cities are so close together that you end up with a lot of people in both cities that aren't (in) the game but maybe are having too much fun (outside) that stress the health and safety system.” He added, “I’m going to look at everything ... and we’re going to make decisions.” Hackett added that UM is “a month away” from announcing the only night game for the ’15 season (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/7).
