Engstrom doesn't know much about athletics including football, and doesn't have much of an appreciation of athletics. No president with an understanding of athletics would have fired both the AD and head coach, especially without good reason. The firings were a major setback for Griz football, and will result in some people always having a negative view of him.
Engstrom is the one who insisted on bringing in the Dakota schools. He's the person who actually called USD to invite them to the conference. Engstrom insisted on doing the academic center and doing it before the weight/locker rooms. But for the Washington brothers' very generous donation dropping from the sky, UM would be many years away from a weight/locker room facility. Engstrom did nothing to get the Washington brothers donation.
Engstrom is negative towards alcohol and tailgating. I doubt that he will be able to have a negative impact on that, but who knows.
I am told that Engstrom has come to realize that athletics and football are a bit more important at UM than he realized initially. At the outset, his idea of supporting athletics was to show up at some games.
Engstrom isn't trying to destroy football or make it mediocre, but he understands enough about athletics and the importance of athletics at UM to know how to support it properly, nor does he care. His actions and (lack of) leadership have had a large negative impact on football and will continue to be a drag on football.
UM football is continuing to do fairly well in spite of Engstrom. Ironically, the return of JJ--after very poor treatment by UM including Engstrom--is a large part of what is keeping UM football afloat. I doubt that Engstrom is liked or respected by coaches or players.
