Pizza is hut-hut at Michigan, even to Domino's man | Sideline Chatter

Let's just say that David Brandon, the former Domino's CEO, hasn't forgotten his roots in his new role as athletic director at Michigan.

"We're talking about a business as well as a school," Brandon told ESPN the Magazine. "Of course, I need to be mindful of the most popular offering. At Michigan, football is the classic-crust pepperoni pizza. So I understand the need for a successful football team.

"But I want to be sure I represent all the sports. We're not just making pepperoni. We're going to make a variety of pizzas, and ensure each one is baked just right."

And with all the fallout since the Rich Rodriguez hiring, he's certainly going to need a thick crust.

Break with tradition

Talk about waking up in a cold sweat: We dreamt Tiger Woods won this year's Masters — and they awarded him a green teddy.

There went the bride

Giants defensive back Aaron Ross is set to wed Sanya Richards on Feb. 26 in Austin, Texas. Wanna bet which one has the best 40 time up the aisle?

He missed much of the NFL season with a bad hamstring; she's the world's reigning 400-meter champion.

Where's the Lub?

New USC football coach Lane Kiffin — during his 14-month coaching stint in Knoxville, Tenn. — gave his son born there the middle name "Knox."

Good thing dad didn't land a job in Lubbock.

Cruel and unusual

"Gilbert Arenas faced five years in jail on felony gun charges," reported Brad Dickson in the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald, "but late on Friday he plea-bargained down to two years with the Nets."

Palin Rubber Dept.

Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be a VIP guest at next month's Daytona 500 festivities, officials said.

Which seems an odd fit, considering NASCAR's bread-and-butter is steering to the left.

Quote marks

• Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times, after catcher Geovany Soto showed up at the Cubs Convention fanfest 40 pounds lighter: "A good thing for the Cubs, but a bad development for Frito-Lay."

• Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press, on Laphroaig Islay Single Malt being named the official scotch of the U.S. Curling Association: "Yes! Nothing like scotch and rocks."

• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, on ex-Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden's asking price when he hits the lecture circuit: "$25,000 per hour, or roughly 1,800 'dadgummits.' "

It's a hitter's league

Former big-leaguer Jose Offerman, manager of the Licey Tigers of the Dominican winter league, is likely facing a substantial fine after throwing a punch at an umpire Saturday night.

Or as grizzled seamheads prefer to call it, a check swing.

Dwight Perry: 206-464-8250 or dperry@seattletimes.com