Earlier today a Lear Jet featuring a University of Michigan-themed paint job was spotted at the Baton Rouge metro airport - just a few miles from LSU’s campus.
The jet is personally owned by Richard H. Rogel, a wealthy “independent investor” and high-ranking official at the University of Michigan who in 2004 personally donated $22 millon to the school. Rogel is also the former president of the University of Michigan’s Alumni Association and served as Chair of a University of Michigan fundraising initiative that raised over $3 billion.
Along with Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross and Mets Owner Fred Wilpon, Rogel is also a member of the school’s “Director’s Cabinet in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.”
The plane, with the tail number N929SR, was also spotted in West Virginia last March as former Univ. of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez utilized the jet to visit family.
So why is it significant that Rogel’s private jet made a stopoff in Baton Rouge today?
It may not be. Or it could be a sign of Michigan’s pursuit of LSU head football coach Les Miles.
Ironically though, Miles is in Dallas today to coach the Tigers in the Cotton Bowl.
Also interesting to note that the flight log for the plane, dating back to Sept. 8, 2010, indicates no previous visits to Baton Rouge.
That could indicate that it isn’t a coincidence that the private jet of someone who controls purse strings and wields influence in the athletic dept. at the Univ. of Michigan was spotted near Miles’ place of employment.
2:45 pm on January 7th, 2011
Les Miles is in Dallas.
3:06 pm on January 7th, 2011
Matt, Brooks did write that in the story that Miles is in Dallas for the Cotton Bowl.
3:10 pm on January 7th, 2011
FAIL
3:20 pm on January 7th, 2011
Miles may be in Dallas, but Miles’ agent is in Baton Rouge
3:27 pm on January 7th, 2011
No, his agent is not in Baton Rouge.
3:45 pm on January 7th, 2011
the plane was in BR for 2 days in October
3:51 pm on January 7th, 2011
don’t be ridiculous anonymous … NO ONE can even possibly know where miles’ agent is not.
Flebno
Brick City
What.
4:01 pm on January 7th, 2011
Time to trade in the swamp in LA for the cold in depressed Michigan.
4:32 pm on January 7th, 2011
I would trade the sweltering swamp in LA. for Ann Arbor anyday.
5:06 pm on January 7th, 2011
Brandon didn’t know he was in Dallas, his mistake AGAIN.
5:08 pm on January 7th, 2011
Les still has a contract with LSU so discussions would still have to be with LSU as well. It’s not stupid. Les will arrive back in BR tomorrow and have the Mich peeps waiting for him with his agent and hopefully release documents prepared. I hope both Mich and Les go down together…
5:32 pm on January 7th, 2011
Miles would be an idiot to leave on his own accord. Now, if he was forced out, that’s one thing. Why would he want to go to the Big 10. I’m not an LSU fan, but he has EVERYTHING he needs to be successful down here in Louisiana.
5:54 pm on January 7th, 2011
Miles has a 1.5m buyout clause in his contract with LSU that will allow him to go to Michigan only. Interesting
6:47 pm on January 7th, 2011
Miles is one 7-5 season from being chased out of Baton Rouge. He’d jumped at the chance to coach UofM if offered.
6:54 pm on January 7th, 2011
Sorry but the UM AD David Brandon does NOT use this plane. He is on the board of directors for Dominos and uses there Jet. Its a perk he got for being the CEO and then board member.
I’m sure LSU now days would waive the buy out and pay to get someone to take Miles off there hands.. Michigan has no interest in Miles, not before and not now.
6:59 pm on January 7th, 2011
would love to les up here
7:00 pm on January 7th, 2011
hope les miles comes to mighan
7:26 pm on January 7th, 2011
anyone know who was on the plane from Michigan
7:51 pm on January 7th, 2011
Les has a 5mil buyout for every school except a 1mil if u of m comes calling
8:09 pm on January 7th, 2011
Mississippi State Coach Dan Mullen is in Baton Rouge and it is his team that just beat Michigan.
9:39 pm on January 7th, 2011
So Rogel’s plane was in Baton Rouge for just over 2 hours while most of the athletic department is in Dallas (including Miles), and then flies to Savannah.It was also in New Jersey on January 2nd. Maybe they’re making a run at Schiano as well? Or maybe it’s a businessman flying around doing businessman things. I bet he’s in Savannah to talk with former Savannah State football coach Julius Dixon.
10:26 pm on January 7th, 2011
Les is averaging 10 wins/season for LSU. LSU is pretty loaded for next year and has a stud juco QB coming in. They should seriously challenge for the ‘11 NC.
LSU would be CRAZY to force Les out!
1:07 am on January 8th, 2011
Why would Les Miles come to Michigan? Because it’s easier in the Big 10. You won’t have to run through Alabama, Florida, Auburn, etc.
Plus we would actually appreciate him, unlike they do down in LA.
1:19 am on January 8th, 2011
Michigan needs a true Michigan man pay the man the money and let’s go blue.enuf messing around. !
9:49 am on January 8th, 2011
Miles has the best record in LSU’s history.. That does not go unnoticed down here… I know it stinks but, getting rid of Perriloux was the moral and right thing to do… It has been shaky at the QB position ever since… I admire Miles for dropping him and fighting through the adversity regardless of what fans have said (fair-weather fans that obviously don’t remember the Dinardo days and what it was like to really suck)… We have a guy named Stephen Rivers coming in… It’s gonna be fine in Death Valley… Miles is right where he needs to be… GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!
11:42 am on January 8th, 2011
I will admit that I am NOT a LSU fan. LSU fans are the most annoying fans in the world. If LSU beat Alabama 80-0, LSU fans would complain about the missed extra point the first quarter.
2:17 pm on January 8th, 2011
Do you REALLY think David Brandon pays these coaches out of some general fund? Of course not, he makes calls to his billionaires and they certainly have input on his hires.
He meant it when he said he discussed compensation with his boss and his boss’ bosses. He didn’t just mean Mary Sue and the Regents, he meant the dudes who sign the checks.
4:26 pm on January 8th, 2011
Dave Brandon’s Dominos jet has filed a flight plan that has the plane landing in Dallas later this afternoon.
12:51 am on January 9th, 2011
Wolverine, why not publish your flight plan? Cause it doesn’t exist? Nice try at relevancy, idiot.
1:23 am on January 9th, 2011
Wolverine, thats because the coaches convention starts in Dallas tomorrow.. To play the Michigan version of who wants to be a MULTI Millionaire!
9:29 am on January 9th, 2011
Domino’s plane in Dallas.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N220DF
9:35 am on January 9th, 2011
Dominos plane in Dallas this morning.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N220DF
4:06 pm on January 9th, 2011
Rogel’s jet is back in Baton Rouge this afternoon (Jan 9th).