Damon Evans on UGA football: ‘I do have some concerns’
Damon Evans in a lighter moment at the Cobb Galleria. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Georgia athletics director Damon Evans said today via e-mail that he does “have some concerns” about the state of his football program. Responding to an e-mail asking for his feelings regarding the Bulldogs’ season — they’re 3-3 for the first time since 1996 — Evans offered this:
“I do have some concerns about where we are at this point of the season. I know Coach [Mark] Richt, the assistant coaches, the players and our fans have the same concerns with our current record and the way we’ve been playing.
“Coach Richt and I have talked just as we do periodically throughout the season. I think his focus right now is on the immediate future, which is the Vanderbilt game and doing everything possible to prepare our team. That’s where it needs to be.
“Beyond that, I have total confidence that Coach Richt will properly evaluate our team, address concerns and prepare the right path that will direct us back into the position we all want to be in — competing for championships.”
As statements go, Evans’ would seem both pointed and nuanced. He didn’t pretend to happy with current events, but he didn’t issue a directive for immediate “significant improvement.” (Vince Dooley, Evans’ predecessor, did that with Ray Goff back in 1995, which turned out to be Goff’s last season as coach.)
If you’re Mark Richt, Evans just said what you want to hear: That his boss has “total confidence” in him. But if you’re a Georgia fan, Evans just said what you want to hear as well: That certain “concerns” might need to be addressed and, put simply, that the University of Georgia expects more from its football team.
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593 comments Add your comment
Athens Dog for life..a.k.a. Tech Sorry
October 12th, 2009
6:27 pm
I almost forgot…7 of 8 hahahahahaha
grasshopper
October 12th, 2009
6:27 pm
What did you guys think he was going to say TO THE MEDIA? “UGA fans are right, CMR is protecting his ole college room mate and covering up for Bobo’s ineptness. I’ve given him an ultimatum: either fire those two nitwits OR ELSE.”
Come on guys, I know you are not that stupid. Evans made the correct PR statement…
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:27 pm
The AJC only sent one person — esteemed colleague D. Orlando Ledbetter — to the Falcons’ game in San Francisco. I was prepared to do a print column — meaning something beyond the live chat — off the game from TV, but the game got lopsided and a decision was reached to write something about Richt/Johnson and UGA/Tech instead, in large part because the length of Saturday night’s game in Tallahassee meant that the print column in Sunday’s paper didn’t reflect the outcome. Which can happen when you get a 78-minute weather delay on an 8 p.m. game.
Doug
October 12th, 2009
6:27 pm
Richt should be fired immediately after losing to a team that an expert AJC writer said would give up 63 points to Florida and also lose to Vandy and his pathetic alma mater.
Boots
October 12th, 2009
6:28 pm
The coach is in a daze and sleep-walking.
dan
October 12th, 2009
6:28 pm
Willie is done after this season at DC. There is no way he’ll be in that position next season. The players will quit on him because they know they can use him as a scapegoat. These kids don’t care. If they won’t show up for Tennessee, I can see them giving up 30 points to Vandy. When these kids don’t care, THEY DON’T CARE! They zero heart.
I could see them tanking and only beating Tennessee Tech. In fact I would prefer that in a way because at least if the go 5-7 or 4-8, I’ll know that changes will be made. If Richt decides to keep Willie at DC after this season, half the boosters will revolt. Richt doesn’t have that much pull. Richt might be allowed to demote Willie, but he won’t be DC after this season. Not just no, but no way!
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:29 pm
I worked with Mr. Bisher for a quarter-century. I’m sorry to see him leave but proud to have been on the same staff for so long.
Say What?
October 12th, 2009
6:29 pm
Logan Gray? What did he do sat? Spring game? haha let the kid get hit a few times like saturday… He didn’t look good at all saturday, what few minutes he did play. guess what? Logan will not save Georgia in 2010 either.. there is no light at the end……
Mr. Cox
October 12th, 2009
6:29 pm
Maybe you people dont remember but Cox was undefeated in high school.
The Voice Of Reason
October 12th, 2009
6:29 pm
UGA has plenty of talent. We have a serious shortage of quality coaches on the defensive side. 11 of the past 27 games the defense has given up 30+ points. (0 during Van Gorder’s 4 years). The defense will set the tone for the game. Loss yardage plays, turnovers (remember those), and man handling the line of scrimmage are a thing of the past. Our linebackers and DB’s are out of position way more often than not. When we blitz how often do we simply run into the pile? Wrong angles are routinely taken on tracking down the ball carrier. We can’t shake off blocks. If this idiot can see this so can the opposing offensive coordinators.
DawgProblems
October 12th, 2009
6:29 pm
The coach that everyone will want after this year is Jim Levitt at USF. We should get a head start on this one.
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 12th, 2009
6:30 pm
Mark, where Richt has dropped the ball is recruiting. As the senior Coach in the SEC, he is now splitting the pie Myer, Saban, and Miles and that’s something he didn’t have to contend with 5 years ago.
Loyalty to his assistant coaches is a whole different issue that can be addressed directly. Recruiting O linemen and D ends is another barrel of fish where their is competition outside the Bulldog Nation.
KJ
October 12th, 2009
6:31 pm
Everyone has a bad season as they cycle through players, especially when your quarterback and running back leave early at the same time. I do fault the coaches for not being better prepared for that possibility. UGA willl get back on the map…how high up the polls depends on if Mr Martinez and Bobo stay on or significantly change their philisophy. Don’t listen to the living fossil Lou Holtz, or the UGA hater Mark May. If it were up to them UGA would be a Div 3 team. Richt will get it back, he wont throw his friends under the bus in public but one of them will be gone at years end. I hope he gets one of the Florida co-defensive coordinators, i.e. Charlie Strong, to come on board but strong has made it known he wants his own program.
gators81
October 12th, 2009
6:31 pm
charleston southern> georgia….when it comes to the game they gave the gators this year…mark my words.
jeremy foley> all sec ad’s
urban meyer> richt
fla defense > falcons defense….anyone want to sell me thier coctail party tix?
The Real SugarHillDawg
October 12th, 2009
6:31 pm
Richt MUST fire Bobo and Martinez along with Van Halanger.
Haiku Man
October 12th, 2009
6:31 pm
“We’re fine”, Damon said
As the town burns all around
Nero said the same
GaBiker
October 12th, 2009
6:31 pm
When the money starts to disappear…..heads will roll then. It’s all about the $$$$$.
Here we go again
October 12th, 2009
6:32 pm
Thanks Mark. Always going above and beyond… but couldn’t you get us all excited and write some sort of hyperbolic piece about how the Falcons have put it together now and are on a straight shot to the super bowl?
MarkBradleyismyDaddy
October 12th, 2009
6:32 pm
Mark,
What do you think about going after Kirby Smart after the season? He is the “D Coordinator” at bama but we know who really runs the D over there. Thanks Papa.
UGA playing for pride
October 12th, 2009
6:32 pm
They have some pride don’t they? maybe a tiny bit? weedeater bowl bid? shucks
Mike T.
October 12th, 2009
6:33 pm
Say What?
I don’t think Logan Gray is the answer, but in all fairness to the guy,Give him more than Saturday’s
few snaps to show himself.Brett Favre might have been challenged under those conditions, to get anything going.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:33 pm
I could do that, Here We Go … And probably will.
BJohnDawg
October 12th, 2009
6:34 pm
Mr. Cox….is obviously not undefeated in college.And High School stopped mattering the day his father gave him a set of Samsonite.
So play the other QBs and lets take our lumps and get the experience for next year. Because this year is done.7-5.And the music city or that chainsaw bowl.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:34 pm
See, that was kind of my point: Damon Evans did not say, “We’re fine.”
Cobb Dawg
October 12th, 2009
6:35 pm
Richt is in a tough spot right now. Since he hasn’t gotten in his player’s faces about mistakes and lack of effort, it will be a tough thing to start now and have them respond. He might as well open the starting rosters up according to who wants to play and have some slobber-knocking practices. Whoever knocks the most slobber gets to start/play regardless of class.
You can’t fire CWM right now, who would you replace him with at this point of the season. But after the Tech game, (which will be UGA’s final game of the season, unfortunately) he should be cleaning out his desk. Good guy, bad DC.
Bobo should have a serious sit down with his staff and remind them that their jobs are year-to-year. And he needs to take a serious look at his talent and re-evaluate what his plans are for the rest of the season. (Can you imagine what UF would do against Saturday’s plan/effort, or lack thereof?)
The HC has to take ownership and responsibility for his coaches and team. After all, he’s the guy making $3 mill. If he had been doing his job on the field correctly for the past few years, the team wouldn’t be in the shape it’s in now. Evans should be short and “not-so-sweet” with Richt. Get it done or be ready to move on. Nothing personal, just business.
shannon
October 12th, 2009
6:35 pm
Paul H
LSU 2008: 7-5
Auburn 2008: 5-7
UT 2008: 5-7
GT during Gailey years:…
Florida during Zook years:…
Bama before Saban:…
Get the point?
EVERYONE has down years people. UGA just has been so consistent that it’s a shock we’re only 3-3 right now. These years happen to the best programs. I’m just glad it’s a shock when our program has a down year. That means we’ve been doing something right this decade.
Yes but everyone outside LSU fired their head coaches too cause they needed a change. When u get Top Ten recruits,people expect Top Ten play
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:36 pm
I think Kirby Smart will be Georgia’s first choice if Martinez is deposed.
And you’re welcome, son.
Falcons?
October 12th, 2009
6:36 pm
FALCONS PLEASE
New RB Coach
October 12th, 2009
6:36 pm
MARK, any ideas on Richt’s thought process about hiring a collegiate WR who is 27 with no college coaching experience (that I’m aware of) to coach collegiate RBs?
Was Richt mezmerized by the JumboTrom when signing off on McClendon’s contract in front of him?
Mike T.
October 12th, 2009
6:36 pm
Maybe you people dont remember but Cox was undefeated in high school.
Yeah, problem is this ain’t high school.This is the SEC.
Jeremy
October 12th, 2009
6:36 pm
Ok I am going to voice the same opinion about this situation as I state before. Mark Richt has got to go. The level of coaching in the SEC is the highest level of coaching in the entire NCAA. Let me remind you, Steve Spurries has a national championship and has South Carolina competitive every year, Nick Saban has a national championship and quite honestly scares me the most to win it all this year outside of the Gators, Saban has done more in 2 years than Mark Richt has done his entire time at Georgia, Urban Meyer has 2 national championships in five years thats self explanatory (COACHING), and now you let Lane Kiffin come into his first year and murder Georgia 45-19??? Last year Georgia had one of the best running backs and quarterbacks in college football but you fail to make to the SEC championship game. ITS ALL ABOUT COACHING. Georgia is the most penalized team I have ever seen, that comes from the lack of coaching. Its amazing how Georgia fans allow this complancecy to last and as I look at the schedule I can point out three more definite losses, Florida, Aurburn (who has a first year coach and they are 5-1), and Georgia Tech. If you are not careful Kentucky could also win I mean you let Tennesse smash you. As I stated before fire Richt hire defensive coordinator Charlie Strong from Florida and lets see a real football coach make the Bulldogs who they should be, but until then continue to be happy with the same results every year. College football is about winning and Richt isn’t winning enough. Had this been any other school the coach would be gone last year when they failed to meet expectations with the all the weapons on offense. Prove me wrong.
Dawginheat
October 12th, 2009
6:36 pm
The coaching must improve. But honestly, how many of you actually think that the coaches on this staff are teaching the players to screw up consistently? If you believe in the old saying that “you play like you practice”, you’d think that’s all they do at practice is screw up. I’d love to know the average IQ of the starting defense. We have to be the dumbest team in the SEC. Even MSU looks like a bunch of guys at a Mensah meeting compared to us, and they offer SPED classes. Maybe we’re not as good at recruiting as we thought.
Voice of Reason
October 12th, 2009
6:37 pm
What’s the easiest way to tell whether the coaches have any inkling of the severity of the situation? See how many fans are tuned into the Vandy game in the second half. If UGA rolls, some of the heat falls back for now and there’s hope for a salvageable transition season. If we are tuned in during the 4th qtr pulling for a defensive stand, then expect the heat to reach furnace-like proportions for a staff that can neither coach nor motivate. We’ll see…
Herschel Walker
October 12th, 2009
6:37 pm
Of course firing Richt is preposterous. Any real fan knows that isn’t going to happen. He’s one of the elite coaches in America — even if we are down this season.
Now, Willie Martinez and Mike Bobo are different stories. We are poorly coached right now. Someone has to go. That’s just the way it is. It’s business.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:37 pm
Of all Georgia’s issues, I’m not sure the running backs coach is on the front burner.
Monvol90
October 12th, 2009
6:38 pm
I truly believe in the job that Richt has done at UGA. Hope he continues for many more years and we will see many more Saturdays like we just saw. GO VOLS.
dap01
October 12th, 2009
6:38 pm
Even is he will not fire Bobo and Willie during the season, he should make behind the scene changes. UGA is a shadow of what the players are capable of being.
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 12th, 2009
6:40 pm
As a friend of mine is quick to point out, many of UGA’s recruits look like Tarzan and play like Jane.
Can’t say I disagree with him.
Roadrunner
October 12th, 2009
6:40 pm
The thing I miss most from past Georgia teams is the way we used to dominate the line of scrimmage both on offense & defense. We haven’t done that in so many years other than the Hawaii game I don’t remember the last time we managed it. We seem to be stressing team speed which is fine as the game has changed since I played but I still think there’s room for smash-mouth football especially in the SEC. I agree 100% with those who say that its not time to bail on the Dawgs just because they’re having a down year, but I also agree that it’s hard to be optimistic about the direction of the team especially on the defensive side of the ball. No matter what though, I’ll proudly tell anyone who will listen that I’m a Dawg Fan even if they go 3-8 this year. Unlike Atlanta Insect fans who come out of the woodwork once a decade when their team beats Georgia I’ll be a Dawg fan every day until the day I die. GO DAWGS!!!!
Tulsa
October 12th, 2009
6:41 pm
DE should not have answer your email. Once again he should his youth. Just STFU
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:41 pm
I agree with your first sentence, Roadrunner. Georgia is a finesse team in a power league.
UGA playing for pride
October 12th, 2009
6:41 pm
no reason to make changes at mid season. how will that help? I just don’t see Mark getting rid of slick willie….bobo yes. Also for god sake get rid uga ex QB Eric Zier off the radio.
George
October 12th, 2009
6:41 pm
Georgia, DOES NOT HAVE A SPECIAL TEAMS COACH, with what we are paying this university for tickets and other areas of support. you would think they could afford 125,000 year job.
Bleed red and black
October 12th, 2009
6:41 pm
I just don’t think we have that fire and desire anymore…..We are not aggressive on offense or defense..The play calling is just letting the other teams know that I just wanna keep the game close not playng to win a darn football game..This is football and its a man’s sport..So Richt I’m a very religious man also, but you gonna have to seperate the two right now..If you gonna make changes I think you need to take over play calling and just get rid of the DC…Its still some NFL coaches available for the DC job like Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden…We have the talent just not being aggressive at all….Our play calling here we go
1st and 10- WR screen
2nd and 10-draw
3rd and 8 RB screen
next possession
1st and 10-Pitch left
2nd and 6-RB screen
3rd and 3 pitch right
you see where we are going with the play calling we are not aggressive and we playing just to keep the game close and playing conservitive and it cost us in the LSU game..we need to play football…
Here we go again
October 12th, 2009
6:42 pm
Coaching is definitely the issue. UGA has enough talent to make Pete Carroll blush. Mark Richt does less with more than [insert low blow about politics here].
Bleed red and black
October 12th, 2009
6:43 pm
Jon Gruden and bill Cowher is available for the DC job…
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 12th, 2009
6:44 pm
Damon’s REAL concern?
Is the RV pecking order up for grabs?
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:44 pm
Can’t really see Bill Cowher taking an assistant’s job in college. Maybe head coach at N.C. State.
Mark Bradley
October 12th, 2009
6:45 pm
I disagree, Tulsa. I think Damon Evans needed to say something.
dawgster
October 12th, 2009
6:45 pm
I think one can read between the lines on what Damon Evans said, he expects his head football coach to do what it takes to improve things, and i got to believe or at least i choose to believe that Coach Richt knows the time has come to make some changes….I know alot of the focus has be Willie, but i think another look at our other assistants needs to be examined, other than just coaching aspects alone, do we have the assistants that can go into the living rooms with the parents of these young men and bring them to georgia, are we going to let other programs such as Tenn. who has come out and flatley stated they will put a lot of efforts in the state of georgia…we have got to keep some of the impact players home and then when we get them coach them up as everyone wants to say….I still believe Coach Richt is the guy we need running this program but he must be willing to make some tough decisions with his staff…the bama’s gators and vols were willing to just that the past several years, we must keep up…