David Brandon David A . Brandon is the director of intercollegiate athletics for the University of Michigan . He was formerly chairman of the board , chief executive officer , and manager of Domino ' s Pizza . He is also a former regent of the University of Michigan . Brandon took over Domino ' s in March 1999 when founder Thomas Monaghan sold it to the investment group Bain Capital . Prior to Domino ' s , he was the CEO of Valassis Communications . On January 5 , 2010 he was announced as the next athletic director of the University of Michigan . Education . He graduated with a bachelor ' s degree and teaching certificate from the University of Michigan in 1974 . While in Ann Arbor , he was the back - up quarterback of the university ' s football team , under the leadership of Bo Schembechler , though he only played in one game at another position . As a sophomore , Brandon was a reserve player on the 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team , assigned No . 24 , and listed as a 6 - foot , 3 - inch quarterback from South Lyon , Michigan . In his junior and senior seasons , he was listed on the roster of the 1972 and 1973 Michigan football team s as a defensive end assigned No . 85 . Brandon ' s on - field time was limited to a single game . Although he received three Big Ten Conference championship rings , the former high school star quarterback says he played only a few minutes of mop - up time as a 6 - foot - 3 , 230 - pound defensive end . " It was the best thing that ever happened to me . I was the hot - shot kid coming out of high school with nine varsity letters , and I learned that didn ' t count for very much , " says Brandon . " I left the program feeling a lot like a failure , " says Brandon , who had planned to put his degree in speech communication to use by becoming a teacher and coach . Brandon remained close to Schembechler and the Michigan program after his playing career was over , often attending and speaking at alumni events . In his memoirs , Schembechler remarked that Brandon might someday run for governor , and if so , he ' d have his vote . Brandon has honorary doctorate degrees from Walsh College , Schoolcraft College , Lawrence Technological University , Cleary College , Central Michigan University , and Albion College . On May 9 , 2009 , David received his honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Albion College during the college ' s commencement ceremonies , in Albion , Michigan . He also delivered a commencement address to the 2009 graduating class . and finished his address by giving a graduation present to each of the graduates . Taped to the bottom of each of their seats was a coupon for a free pizza and a soda . Politics . Brandon was elected to the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan in 1998 , as a member of the Republican Party . In the November 2006 election , he lost his reelection bid to Democrat Julia Donovan Darlow . His term expired December 31 , 2006 . An avid participant in Republican politics , Brandon had expressed interest in running for the United States Senate in 2006 against Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow . However , he announced in August 2005 that he would not be a candidate in the 2006 elections . According to public records , Brandon has donated almost $ 200 , 000 to Republican Party candidates and election committees . Television . On May 5 , 2005 , Brandon appeared on the third edition of Donald Trump ' s " The Apprentice " as part of the finale CEO interview panel . In an advertisement that first aired on January 21 , 2009 , David starred by " oven baking " a cease and desist order from Subway . He was seen putting the letter in a pizza oven , and the letter caught on fire . Subway had sent the letter to Domino ' s to stop advertisements for their new oven baked sandwiches that noted a 2 to 1 advantage over Subway ' s subs in an independent taste test . Dave ' s Blog . David keeps a blog , titled " Dave ' s Blog , " which is accessible only to Domino ' s Pizza franchisees and corporate store managers . In his blog he talks about such topics as his personal unannounced visits to stores and the price of cheese . Appointment as University of Michigan athletic director . On January 5 , 2010 , Brandon was named athletic director at the University of Michigan , succeeding Bill Martin .