David Brandon - Ann Arbor

David Brandon was the director of intercollegiate athletics for the University of Michigan from 2010 to 2014. The athletic department grew significantly under his watch, but he was criticized for policies that resulted in escalating football ticket prices, among other things. He gave his resignation to UM president Mark Schlissel on Oct. 31, 2014.

Dave Brandon at the April 2010 University of Michigan regents meeting – the first time he formally addressed the regents after being appointed athletic director. (Photo courtesy of The Ann Arbor Chronicle.)In June 2015 he was appointed chairman and CEO of Toys 'R' Us, starting in that position on July 1, 2015.

Brandon was CEO and chairman of Domino's Pizza from 1999 until 2010, and remained non-executive chairman of the board after leaving the company to become UM athletic director. He replaced Domino's founder Tom Monaghan in the leadership position after Monaghan sold the company to Bain Capital in 1998. Brandon was in charge when Domino's became a publicly traded company in 2004.

Prior to Domino's, Brandon was CEO of Valassis Communications, a publicly traded firm and one of the world's largest coupon distributors/processors. Brandon has been director of the TJX Companies, Burger King Corporation, and Kaydon Corporation, and has served on the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations, including Detroit Renaissance, The Purple Rose Theatre, The Parade Company, and the David A. Brandon Foundation.

He currently (2014) serves on the boards of Herman Miller and DTE Energy.

Brandon, a Republican from Ann Arbor, was elected to one eight-year term as UM regent from 1998 to 2006. He ran again in 2006 but lost the election to Ann Arbor Democrat Julia Darlow. While regent, Brandon and his wife Jan Brandon were co-chairs – along with then-football coach Lloyd Carr and his wife, Laurie – of the “Champions for Children” campaign for Mott Children's Hospital.

Brandon was hired in January 2010 by UM president Mary Sue Coleman to replace Bill Martin as athletic director. While athletic director, Brandon traveled on a private jet with tail number N220DF, which is owned by his former employer Domino's Pizza.

Brandon has a bachelors degree and teaching certificate from the University of Michigan, which he earned in 1974. While at Michigan he played football for coach Bo Schembechler. He's a member of the Graduate “M” Club, Victors Club, Director’s Circle, and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business Visiting Committee.

He has honorary doctorate degrees from Walsh College, Schoolcraft College, Lawrence Technological University, Cleary College, Albion College, Davenport University and Central Michigan University, where he served as a trustee from 1994-98. In 2007, Brandon received the "Distinguished Alumni Service Award" from the UM Alumni Association. In 2008, he received the "Bennie Oosterbaan Award" from the Bob Ufer Quarterback Club. Also in 2008, Brandon was named national "CEO Coach of the Year" by the American Football Coaches Association.

Brandon and his wife Jan Brandon live in Barton Hills. They have four children – three sons (Scott, Nick, and Chris) and a daughter (Carli). As of 2014, he has six granddaughters (Zoey, Ileana, Piper, Blake, Chase and Daphne) and a grandson (Clayton).

In the news

Why Bain hired David Brandon to run Toys R Us: He has a successful IPO history – Crain's Detroit Business, June 3, 2015

Toys ‘R’ Us Names IPO Veteran David Brandon as Its Next CEO – Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2015

Ex-Michigan AD Dave Brandon becomes CEO of Toys 'R' Us – Detroit Free Press, June 2, 2015

Niyo: Alienation of alums led to Brandon's fall – Detroit News, Nov. 1, 2014

Sharp: Don’t believe U-M president’s spin job on Brandon resignation – Detroit Free Press, Nov. 1, 2014

Michigan closes Dave Brandon, Inc. with athletic director's resignation – Sports Illustrated, Oct. 31, 2014

Brandon to receive $3 million over four years per resignation agreement – Michigan Daily, Oct. 31, 2014

Dave Brandon resigns as UM AD – Detroit News, Oct. 31, 2014

Timeline: Michigan AD Dave Brandon resigns; a look back at highlights, lowlights of his tenure – MLive, Oct. 31, 2014

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon resigns – USA Today, Oct. 31, 2014

Another fire burns around Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon – ESPN, Oct. 28, 2014

Dave Brandon 'Broke' Michigan Athletics; Now Pressure's On University President – Yahoo Sports, Oct. 26, 2014

'Very giving' donor purchases #FireDaveBrandon T-shirts for students to wear during Indiana game – Michigan Daily, Oct. 26, 2014

Column: Brady Hoke, AD Dave Brandon at center of Michigan's stormy football season – MLive, Oct. 21, 2014

Rebranding Michigan: Is Dave Brandon fumbling the ball? – Detroit Free Press, Oct. 16, 2014

University of Michigan Board of Regents discusses David Brandon, Brady Hoke – WXYZ News (ABC affiliate), Oct. 16, 2014

Price cut coming for Michigan student football tickets – USA Today, Oct. 16, 2014

Viewpoint: BAMN supports firing of Dave Brandon – Michigan Daily, Oct. 6, 2014

Michigan's Athletic Director admits mistakes in handling Morris concussion – Michigan Radio, Sept. 30, 2014

Dave Brandon's fireworks: How 'The Dave Brandon Show' changed the Athletic Department – Michigan Daily, Sept. 24, 2013

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon turns to social media to keep fan base in touch, AnnArbor.com, November 2010 ("Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he will use a freshly-minted Twitter account and blog to keep the school's fan base up to date what's going on with Michigan's athletic department.")