Michigan hires a PR firm to help with fallout from QB Shane Morris' injury

The University of Michigan hired a public relations firm to help manage its image following the fallout from the handling of a concussion sustained by quarterback Shane Morris on Sept. 27.

Morris sustained a mild concussion following a hit against Minnesota and was allowed to stay in the game despite emerging from the hit wobbly. Morris was finally pulled for examination a couple plays later, but was then re-entered in the game after backup Devin Gardner lost his helmet and needed to sit for a play.

Following the incident coach Brady Hoke passed the buck to the training staff and athletic director Dave Brandon supported him. The entire ordeal turned into a PR nightmare students protested and called for Brandon and Hoke’s dismissal.

Both men were ultimately fired.

Now the university is hoping to repair its image as it seeks a new football coach to help bring the program back to national prominence.

Edelman, one of the world's largest public relations firms, was hired shortly after the fallout from Morris’ injury began. The contract is for $75,000. Edelman is the same PR firm that advised Penn State during the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

"We believe there are times when getting an outside perspective is the smart thing to do," University of Michigan spokesman Rick Fitzgerald told the Detroit Free Press. "We engaged Edelman to provide just that type of external perspective following the football-concussion incident. There is no ongoing work at this time."

Edelman also is working with North Carolina, which is still reeling from an academic scandal that has rocked the campus.

For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.

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